Customer Reviews

East-West

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This collection is an excellent introduction to the music of Bill Frisell because it covers many of the styles that he explores in his extensive catalog. It includes new renditions of classic American tunes and original compositions, and also demonstrates his great talent at manipulating sound through the judicious use of effects pedals. The pieces on disk one consist of energetic country/blues runs over a hard-driving bass and drum foundation, whereas disk two displays Bill's softer, more artsy-jazz side. In other words, both Hank Williams and Allen Ginsberg would find something enjoyable on this record. While this release does possess flights of experimentation and blinding technical ability, on the whole it follows a distinct "American" style--classic folk/country melodies alongside a distinctly American jazz/blues base, shot through with driving electric solos, and soft contemplative "intellectual" pieces. This recording is perfect for a long trip up California's Highway 395, passing through the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains in Bishop (the best beef jerky west of the Mississippi is available here), Bridgeport, and on to Reno, Nevada. Even though Bill's playing is technically masterful, it is not pretentious or bizarre: in other words, you don't need a degree from Julliard to recongnize his stunning technical and compositional skills. This record has both that quaint, nostalgic "longing for home" quality that imbued the songs your Texan grandpa sang, and the ecstatic experience of an espresso-and-hash-filled coffee house. He is an original American artist who plays music that can only be described as utterly "American." Unfortunately, right now the music that America exports to the world tends to consist of sexed-out pop-tarts, depressed drug addicts, and "gangsta-rappas." Just imagine what the rest of the world would think of American art if musicians like Bill Frisell were given prominence, instead of hacks like 50 Cent, Kurt Cobain, or Britney Spears.

"East/West" is an essential Bill Frisell release for three reasons. First, the musical content and production put this on a similar level with "Nashville," "Good Dog, Happy Man," "Gone, Just Like a Train" and "Bill Frisell with Dave Holland and Elvin Jones." The disc features a variety of musical styles that keep the music fresh. While leaning mostly into Jazz, Frisell's wanderings into Rock, Americana and World are represented. Second, this is the best and most recent document of what Bill Frisell sounds like live. While tapers and traders have been enjoying this music for years, "East/West" marks the first time that such wonderful music has been available to the general public. In terms of live albums, this disc is as memorable as "Bill Frisell, Kermit Driscoll, Joey Baron LIVE" was mediocre. The third reason for the highly compelling nature of this recording is the song choice. The disc has a great balance of originals and well known cover songs. The originals include the Intercontinental's 'Boubacar' and Frisell's rockin' big gun, 'Blues for Los Angeles.' The cover songs bring instant gratification with classics by Gershwin, Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan. As if those three reasons aren't enough, "East/West" comprises two discs that sell for the price of one. "East/West" is an essential part of any Bill Frisell collection.

I've been a fan of Bill Frisell for over a decade. I first heard his work on the short-lived The Far Side cartoon which I think was on Fox. This CD is awesome. I am highly happy to have a copy of it in my possession and would recommend it to anyone who appreciates good guitar work. 5 stars plus.

Way to go to all involved.

I haven't even heard all of this yet but I can recommend it already, if only for the "Shenandoah". Frisell has such a wonderful melodic sense, Kenny is perfect for him, and Viktor is sonorous to the max. CD One kinda reminds me of another favorite from the Bay Area, Steve Kimock [...] with roots back to other SF guitarists from back in the day (Garcia, Kaukonen). In any case, it is lovely guitar playing and ensemble work.

this cd is very VERY good. bill is doing things that i have never heard anyone do with the guitar. he has perfected the use of his effects and uses them very tastefully. the first disc is most bill's originals, in particular, "blues for LA" is one of the most driving songs ive heard. frisell is improving (not saying he wasnt always sick)and this CD just shows how original of a guitarist he is. GET THIS ALBUM. the standards he does so well, and his guitar is better than ever (even though i wished he still used the vol. pedal). again, get this.

This is my first exposure to the music of jazz guitarist Bill Frisell and I have to say I was thrilled. EAST WEST is comprised of two live sets, with one recorded in 2004 at Yoshi's in Oakland, California (WEST) and the other recorded in 2003 at The Village Vanguard in New York, New York (EAST). Overall, this album is a fine recording of some highly atmospheric, guitar-led jazz, with just a tiny hint of the avant-garde here and there along with some blues. A mix of significantly altered cover tunes and group originals are included on this 2-CD set.

Bill (electric guitar, acoustic guitar and loops) is joined by Viktor Krauss (electric bass guitar WEST), Tony Scherr (electric/acoustic bass EAST) and Kenny Wollesen (drums EAST and WEST). All of these guys are talented musicians and their gift for improvisation never fails to amaze. There is an excellent group dynamic and ensemble sound, which is a result of the fact that these guys really listen to one another.

Bill has a unique style that is virtuosic, yet understated and at times, atmospheric. His use of a clean tone on the electric works well, particularly in the quieter sections. Although his technique is dazzling, Bill's use of space and silence is even moreso. The use of tape loops is also unusual in this setting but they are very effective - in fact, I am reminded somewhat of Robert Fripp. What I liked the most was that for just a trio, this music is very interesting and employs a range of dynamics and a lot of unusual tone color is introduced with the tape loops. There also seems to be a subtle difference between the two sets, with WEST being a bit more playful and loose and the EAST set being a bit jazzier and maybe even a little bit more serious.

You would never know that this is a live recording. The sound quality is excellent and the (small) audience can only be heard at the end of each track.

All in all this is a fine album that features the superb jazz guitar of Bill Frisell and is certainly one of the more interesting albums of this type that I have heard.

Although Bill Frisell has spanned many styles over his carreer, this double-CD set portrays what I think is his best playing. On songs such as "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" and "Shenandoah," he turns the melodies into starting points for his incredible improvisations. Also recommended tracks: Ron Carter and Blues For Los Angeles.