Gone Just Like a Train

Bill Frisell | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 6, 1998)
• Original Release Date: January 6, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B000005J57
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,988 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars minimalist jazz, October 30, 2001

By 

J. Jackson "climaction" (Charlottesville, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gone Just Like a Train (Audio CD)

While watching the movie "Finding Forester", a so-so film with a great soundtrack, I noticed a skeletal rendition of "Over the Rainbow" that supplied just enough notes to make it recognizable. I immediately recognized it as the work of Bill Frisell.

Culling a musical phrase down to its essence is what makes Frisell's music at once simple yet profound. I agree with the reviewers who comment that this CD grows on you. Frisell plays in a manner that sounds easy, but few guitarists could duplicate his musicianship. His simplicity belies his facility and technical skill. In the same manner, Tiger Woods shows us all what a simple game golf is.

The trio of Frisell, Kraus, and Keltner convey a transparency sustained by their interplay and the skills they each bring to the ensemble. The comparisons with Cream, etc., may seem farfetched given how different this music is from that style, but I understand that comment completely.

I would have given this CD three stars at first listen; then four a few weeks later. I may come back later and give it five.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars His Finest Work, January 23, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gone Just Like a Train (Audio CD)

One of my favorite CD's. It took a while to grow on me, but I believe that the best and most rewarding albums take a little time to appreciate (the pop albums with the catchy tunes will drop your interest and attention as quick as they got it). I think it's his best album, especially if you're coming from the world of rock. Unlike so many other modern guitarists, this guy can say SO much with so little. Not that he can't let it rip, but he can be so smooth and play with so much soul - just listen to the album title: "Gone ... like a train." It's a great mix of jazz, rock, folk, and blues. There's so much in this album, so much to discover even after having listened to it 50 times. Sometimes it's slow, and sometimes it grooves. I thought parts of this album were sort of cheesy at first, but man, give it a few listens, and you'll see it's not at all, you just have to listen to hear the intricacies and the touch that he gives his music. His sound is really unique and he's got a great band backing him up (especially that bass), and I have to say that there is not a single song on this album that I don't like (and out of the 250 or so albums I have, only about a dozen would fall into that category). His later albums are also good, but they are much more mellow, acoustic, and lean towards folk and country much more so than this one. If you're checking out Bill Frisell for the first time and you are used to rock/alternative type music, go with this album, give it a good several listens, and as it grows on you, you'll see what I'm talking about.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Mix, January 19, 2000

By 

Moshe Reuveni - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gone Just Like a Train (Audio CD)

I have never heard of Frisell before I read this CD's Stereophile Magazine review, where it got the prestigious "Record of the Month" award. As my past experience shows, the guys at Stereophile know a thing or two about music, and so I bought this CD. And you know what? they were right.

Offereing a good mix of jazz and blues, much musical variety, and some excellent bass performance, this CD will never let you down. It's also very well recorded, and worth listening to in a good hi fi system.