Customer Reviews

Gavin Bryars: After the Requiem

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The albums beauty isn't caught in simple melodic lines but rather in a dense world of sounds. The combination of two viola's, cello and guitar creates a unique, emontional yet somewhat cold atmosphere(a bit comparable with 'OK Computer' by Radiohead). The other tracks on the album also seem to prefer to breath atmosphere rather then singing simple melodies, yet the music isn't 'difficult'. The first time I heard it, it seem to creep up to me and become a kind of second skin. I still listen to regurally, and it always succeeds in surprising me with its sheer beauty.

This is a beautiful album. Bryars is known in the classical music world, but this album, as well as being an important contribution to that world, should also be included on jazz lists. It is not jazz in the normal sense of that term, but it overlaps with what a number of modern jazz people are doing. The first track in particular--After the Requiem--features modern guitarist Bill Frisell. Frisell is redefining jazz guitar (and everything else) and on this album he shows that avant garde jazz guitar can equally be avant garde classical music. This album would provide an excellent bridge for classical fans interested in jazz or jazz fans interested in classical. Those who like this album should also expecially like Kenny Wheeler's Angel Song (on which Frisell also plays prominently) and Frisell's Look Out for Hope. This is a haunting and beautiful album, and deserves a lot of attention.