Customer Reviews

L'Histoire Du Clochard (The Bum's Tale)

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Ohad Talmor, French/Jewish saxophonist, composer, arranger, and bandleader, has put together a disc of quite astounding accomplishment. I freely admit I am not a fan of this kind of thing--off-kilter third-streamish chamber-jazz. But in the hands of a maestro of the caliber of Talmor, these balky materials magically align themselves into music of immense felicity.

Perhaps it's his wildly eclectic background--influenced by everyone from Shostakovich to Bach to Stravinsky to Ligeti to Feldman to Verese to the Police to Jimi Hendrix to Ornette Coleman to Joe Lovano to Lee Konitz to Sonny Rollins to Bill Frisell to Wayne Shorter, and countless others. Perhaps it's his multi-culturalism--a French Jew living in Brooklyn who appears to be familiar with everything from punk to klezmer to chamber jazz to atonal classical to power pop to art rock to bebop to free jazz.

Whatever.

This I know: he's got big ears and an uncommon gift for arranging. As well as uncanny band leading instincts and sound-design smarts. Beyond that, he's got the good sense to link up with like-mindedly quirky genius Steve Swallow, who composed all the tunes and plays killer bass here.

I haven't heard his other projects (two discs by the Other Quartet and one by the Mob Trio), but I plan to get my hands on them ASAP.

A disc of huge significance.

This album amounts to what Jazz future is (and hopefully remain so for a long time to come!).
It features the best of two worlds; classical/modern and jazz, the best of two generations: Swallow's acknowledged mastery and Talmor brand new sound and incredible multi-faceted talent.
The musical result is absolutely exquisite: sophisticated music yet deeply anchored in the Jazz heritage and featuring some of the most beautiful, complex yet soulful writing I have ever heard. One can hear a myriad of influences: aside from the clear Stravinsky wink, I heard Mingus to Ligeti, Oliver Nelson to Debussy, and yet, Talmor always manages to stay true to his sound (and as a Tenor Saxophonist, he is very impressive as well, with a tone a a sense of structure reminding me of a cross between Warne Marsh and Wayne Shorter). This kid is a true innovator - kudos to Swallow for bringing him forth !

The 6 musicians involved achieve the rare feat of balancing what sounds like difficult parts played effortlessly, always swinging when needing to, always to the point when improvising, each showing a strong identity on their respective instruments.

To me, this is jazz at its best.

Truly a remarkable album, easily one of the most important recording to have come out the last 5 years or so.

A must listen; a must preach !