Customer Reviews

Charms of the Night Sky

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is one of the finest fruits of a move in the 1990s among avantgardists like John Zorn towards an eclectic but accessible chamber-jazz. (Other instances would be Zorn's Bar Kokhba & Bill Frisell's _Quartet_ album.) Douglas has rightly moved from obscurity to the first rank of jazz musicians in the 1990s, gaining widespread exposure from Zorn's Masada, & waxing a seeming flood of discs with a variety of bands--an acoustic, string-based quintet; the trumpet/guitar/drums ensemble the Tiny Bell Trio; the larger, more conventional jazz ensemble that recorded tributes to Booker Little, Mary Lou Williams & Wayne Shorter; & many other projects. _Charms of the Night Sky_ announced a new project, which is centred on the duo of Douglas & the remarkable accordionist Guy Klucevsek, who is one of the few North American players who can stand with Europeans like Richard Gilliano or the bandoneon master Dino Saluzzi. Half of this CD is duets of these two players; on other tracks they are joined by the ubiquitous, omnicompetent violinist Mark Feldman (whose c.v. includes everything from country fiddling to work with orchestras) & Greg Cohen (who splits his time between old-fashioned jazz with players like Marty Grosz & Woody Allen, & playing with Masada).

This is a strikingly lovely disc, & even skeptics about accordion are urged to give it a try. Douglas is as always very careful & specific about the inspirations for his music: this disc has a dedication to Charlie Haden, "Dance in Thy Soul" (which is, unexpectedly, a violin feature--after a free-tempo introduction, this settles into perhaps the most exciting & insistently rhythmic piece on the disc, which ends with a simultaneous trumpet/violin improvisation which dissolves into delicate high-pitched tones). There are two covers, Francesco Cilea's "Poveri Fiori" & Herbie Hancock's "Little One"--not simply a great cover (which it is) but an indication of a key source for the kind of subtle & impressionistic jazz on this disc.

This is an album at once innovative & immediately listenable. Highly recommended. I should add that those who enjoy it should check out Tomasz Stanko's _From the Green Hill_, a disc which employs a similar lineup (trumpet, violin, bandoneon & bass, though it's augmented by drums & saxophone); the Polish trumpeter Stanko can often sound like a wilder, more unfettered Dave Douglas.

The combination of Balkan melodies, Kletzmer, Polka and post bop is absolutely inspired. Douglas possesses an immediately recognizable sound on his trumpet and plays with endless inventiveness and startling beauty. His cohorts on this effort, especially the wonderful Guy Kluscevek on accordian, are more than up to the task at hand and provide many choice moments of their own. I had the pleasure of hearing Douglas in person last autumn with John Zorn and what a player he is. Capable of extreme abstraction Douglas is also an inspired melodist. Thankfully very productive, each new project brings forth another facet of this provocative, important musician. this may be the most drop-dead gorgeous of his recent releases but the band can breathe fire as well. Vital music. Highly recommended.

I originally chose this CD as my intro to Dave Douglas' solo work because the Winter & Winter packaging is so cool. . . . I overlooked the fact that he would be playing with just bass, violin, and accordion (yes, accordion) and went with CHARMS OF THE NIGHT SKY. Man, what a good call! This CD is all that it possibly could be, and Douglas makes it even more. Great arranging turns some very intriguing melodies into very intriguing and beautiful songs. As I have since discovered, this is pretty mellow stuff for Douglas, but he brings a passion and energy to this seemingly laid-back disc that few, if any, others could do. Tracks 2 & 3, "Bal Masque" and "Sea Change," would probably be my two favorites (I love him jumping the octave in "Sea Change"), but I don't skip over anything. I have seen Douglas play in concert with John Zorn's Masada, and he is just physically and sonically impressive in that setting. What is really cool is that he is equally impressive in a bit more subdued setting such as this. Cohen, Feldman, and Klucevsek should not be overlooked, either, as their support is integral throughout the CD. A beautifully constructed collection, this is worthy to be on the shelf of really special discs that one goes to for a breath of fresh air, a moment just to clear one's head, and/or a deep breath at the end of a busy day. Douglas will reward you, and you'll come away quiet, refreshed, and invigorated. At least I do. . . .

This is maybe my favorite Dave Douglas recording (could change next week since they are all so good). As the title seems to suggest, I tend to play this one at night after my toddler has gone to bed. It is both stimulating and relaxing. Most of the songs have a slow to medium tempo and are performed in a somewhat relaxed manner. The instrumental combination and their arrangements are wonderful. Somehow, this music allows me to re-engage my mind while calming my body.

As much as I love this, my wife hates it. If accordian and trumpet isn't your thing, perhaps you better stay away. But if your seeking a subtle yet rich tonal experience, this it it!

Dave Douglas is one of the freshest and most energetic musicians around. It seems that he never runs out of ideas. This is evident from yhe first minute of music on "Charms of the Night Sky". Actually, you can get a sense of what's to come just by reading the instrumentation on the back of the CD (trumpet, accordian, violin, and bass). The music on this CD is incredible. Douglas wrote 12 of the 13 tunes (the only non Douglas tune is Herbie Hancock's "Little One"). The production is first rate and even the new style packaging from Winter & Winter is fresh and new. Five Stars!!!

The new album of Dave Douglas is one of the best of his carrer. With other sympatetic musician Douglas make an extraordinary music with echos of balkanian, polish and east European music. Listen this CD!

In 1995 and 1997, Dave Douglas released two clunker albums, "In Our Lifetime" and "Stargazer." "Charms of the Night Sky," released in 1998, featured Douglas in a different musical setting, this time as a member of an acoustic quartet along with Guy Klucevsek on accordion, Mark Feldman on violin, and Greg Cohen on bass. The music is lyrical and expressive, serene yet energetic, and very involving. A wonderful recording, and one certainly deserving wider recognition.

All the tracks on Douglas' CD play greatly on their own. Taken as a whole album, however, a slight note of monotony might creep in after track 7 or 8 -- many of the tracks share a similar mood and pace, and one might find oneself wishing for a bit of variety after an extended listening. However, that doesn't change the excellence of the performances and composition.

If you think acordeon is not your kind of instrument in jazz listen to this CD and I'm sure you will change your mind. My wife hates it, but if you spare a bit time to listen to this a couple of times you will know what I mean. Track nr.2 Bal Masqué and track nr. 4 is excellent music for Kusturica's next film...

Like David Murray before him, Dave Douglas has made a flurry of recordings over the last few years on a variety of labels. From the Tiny Bell Trio to various quartets to his work with Masada, Douglas defies easy categorization. He is one of the most distinctive new composers on his instrument, yet is also able to make us listen to artists like Joni Mitchell in new ways. "Charms of the Night Sky" was one of my favorite CDs of 1998. This recording is a keeper. Don't miss him if he comes to your town on tour.