Customer Reviews

Life in Leipzig (Ocrd)

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

 

 

This album was recorded during the Leipziger Jazztage in October, 2005. KetilBjornstad, the pianist, provides an entertaining essay in the liner notes describing their day of travel to Germany and the setup for this performance.

Don't be "turned off" by the initial abstract rumblings from the lower strings of Bjornstad's(excellently recorded, as usual for ECM productions) Bosendorfer piano on the first track; most of the music on this disc is quite melodic and atmospheric, not "way out". After the introduction, this first track (The Sea V) turns into a beautiful calm piece. The beauty of these performances is the interplay between the two musicians. Rypdal and Bjornstad have been touring together since 1999.

The pieces are divided between Bjornstad and Rypdal compositions, with a Edvard Grieg fragment throw in mid-concert since the composer lived in Leipzig in his younger years. There is a balance of rock, classical, and jazz sensiblities that makes their works simultaneously stimulating, unique, challenging, entertaining, and fun. The set ends with a rocking version of "The Return Of Per Ulv". Rypdal's technique has only improved with age, and this is a set that should not be missed by fans of these two musicians, contemporary classical, prog rock, or the "ECM approach". Strongly recommended.

I will admit at the outset I have an uncommon devotion to ECM Records; there are very few that I think are real clunkers. Most have at least something interesting. In any event this one is special -- a gorgeous live recording of a performance given in October 2005. 11 tracks, performed by the guitarist Terje Rypdal and the classically trained pianist Ketil Bjornstad, most of which run continuously into the next. Still, there is great range here, both in the songs, which sound alternately like jazz, rock, and classical -- and to be forthright, occasionally veer close to new age, but which never devolve into vapid atmospherics -- and the playing, especially Rypdal's, who can work with long, smooth lines; sharp, cutting riffs; and deep, broad layers of sound. Very pretty, but also worth listening to closely. The recorded sound is close and clear.

Rypdal has long been a favorite even though he can put out some very uneven albums (or the occasional clunker like the recent Vossabryg - inspired by an album I don't like, Miles Davis's Bitches Brew.) This one makes up for that last one I bought. Except for a couple of brief passages it's a very strong album.

Rypdal and Bjornstad manage to blend two instruments, Fender strat and acoustic piano, that don't always meld well in other hands. And to their further credit they live up to their self-proclaimed title as Melody Warriors. There are a couple of old faves of Rypdal's such as Return of Per Ulv and The Pleasure is Mine(?). But Bjornstad offers some beautiful songs variously numbered, The Sea no. 2, etc. and more.

It is a comparatively subdued album - at least when stood up next to his work with the Chasers and others. But if you adore Rypdal's guitar playing as I do this is a very good one. The music samples on this site really are indicative of what you'll get on the album. Yes, I'm happy to see Rypdal back in my good graces!

I had heard only a bit of Rydpal before hearing this album; it made me want to hear more.

Many of my favorite records are duos like this one. There's an intensity to the communication between two players that is lost in bigger aggregations.

As my review title suggests, this music is impossible to categorize. It has elements of the various genres mentioned by other reviewers, but they are blended together in a way that makes any attempt to categorize seem a bit silly. It's just two guys who have listened to a lot of different kinds of music, playing music together. A couple of the pieces didn't move me much, but overall, this is a fine recording, deserving of wider recognition.