East-West

Bill Frisell | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 9, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B0009K7RLG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,121 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

On East/West Bill Frisell proves once again he is one of the most prolific players of his generation. While it's a measure of his success that he's able to pursue a wide variety of projects, the bottom line is his insatiable musical curiosity warrants all the attention he receives. East/West is a two-disc live set, one recorded on each coast. All are trio performances, with drummer Kenny Wollesen playing throughout, Viktor Krauss on bass in California, Tony Scherr in New York. So supple is the interplay that the stylistic change in the two bassists makes for a subtly different character to each of the nights. Frisell focuses on a mix traditional, folk, and even soul in the west; in the east there's a bit more drawn from the jazz canon (though not entirely, as the version of "Crazy" is a marvel as Scherr sets down his bass and picks up an acoustic guitar). --David Greenberger

Product Description

Guitarist and 2005 Grammy Award winner Bill Frisell's East/West is a double-disc set featuring two trio performances, Frisell on guitar and Kenny Wolleson on drums and percussion, with Tony Scherr on bass for the East disc, which was recorded at New York's Village Vanguard, and Viktor Krauss on bass for West, recorded at Yoshi's in Oakland, CA. Atlantic. 2005.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bill Frisell at top form!, September 26, 2005

By 

Glen Murley (Sagamore Beach, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: East-West (Audio CD)

I was a little hesitant to buy this CD. Bill Frisell is an exceptional musician and has the ability to play many different styles effectively. As a result, I think you'll find many fans who like only a particular brand of his music. Some like his cover stuff, some his Country style, some his fusion, and some his jazz. They are all branded with his impeccable and unmistakeable signature sound.

That being said, I think this CD set will appeal to any Frisell fans without dissapointing them at all. There's a little for everyone on here. Some of his other CDs make Frisell sound too etheral and electric for my tastes. But his sound thoughout this set is very warm and organic. His strong use of "verb" is still present, as it always is. But his overall sound throughout the sets is borderline acoustic.

I agree with an earlier review in that this CD seems to evoke memories of his, "LIVE" Cd. But this CD shows a much more mature Frisell. His phrasing and form find Frisell technically at the top of his game. If you're a musician, you'll love this CD. And if you're not, it's very accesible music.

Lastly, if you're not familiar with Frisell, I feel compelled to say that this CD is the perfect primer for you. It touches on all of his styles. And each song is performed with passion. I love this set by Mr. Frisell.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Before you die, October 14, 2005

By 

K. Patterson (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: East-West (Audio CD)

If you're alive, and I assume most of you are, listen to this album before you die. If you're a guitarist listen to this before tomorrow ! Bill breaks out ! And about time too.
Listen to those sonorous triads spattered with altered notes like stardust. Listen to Frisell wring every last note out of those standard effects. Verging on the melodramatic and sentimental in the heart of Shenandoah he holds it all together sublimely. Banging the root note throughout Grapevine and Hard Rain he reinforces the heart of pop music.
Frisell plays guitar as it was fated to be played; up and down the neck, using open strings and voicings to die for. It's not a piano or a horn, after all.
The most startling thing about this album is that after years of wishing Frisell to do something like this and expecting it to be pretty damn good, it's just so astonishing. He plays stuff on this that is just new and totally inspired. This is the work of a musician approaching his peak. Can't wait till his next one.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hard To Believe It's Live! Fantastic!, August 11, 2005

By 

J. Rich - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: East-West (Audio CD)

Bill Frisell is one of those rare guitarists that has a style that is instantly recognizable. He's achieved the ultimate goal of any guitarist, which is to have a loyal following and to have work lined up for the next 10 years. After hearing "East/West," it's hard not to see why.

This set is a specially priced double live CD. He performs some of his own material and nice collection of jazz standards and country songs. In the "East" CD, he plays at the Village Vanguard, which all of who don't know already is the "mecca" of jazz performance. Playing there is like playing at Carnegie Hall. This "East" CD is more in a jazz vein then the "West" CD. Great music!

The "West" CD focus more on the country/Americana/blues side of Bill. He blows through several original tunes like "Pipe Down" and "Blues for Los Angeles." He even does a cool version of the song "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," which I haven't heard since I was kid. There is also a cool version of "Shenandoah" on this album, which was originally on the "Good Dog, Happy Man" album.

I was greatly suprised by this album and I think anyone who's a Bill Frisell fan should go ahead and buy this collection of great tunes.