Oracle [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED] [IMPORT]

Gary Peacock, Ralph Towner

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 15, 2000)
• Original Release Date: May 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Import
• Label: Ecm Import
• ASIN: B000024C70
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #90,173 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Given the obvious classical influence on bassist Gary Peacock's opener, "Gaya," guitarist Ralph Towner's exotic and exclusive use of nylon and 12-string acoustic guitars, and the 20th-century modernity of the melodies and harmonies all over Oracle, it's easy to miss the serious swing going on here. Of the utmost relevance for Oracle is Towner's work with his group Oregon--inadvertently instrumental in the rise of New Age and World Beat music, though the band operates in a much more rarified artistic atmosphere than most of the music in either of those genres. As a guitarist, Towner tends to slip under the radar that made his contemporaries--John Scofield, John Abercrombie, Bill Frisell, and Pat Metheny--icons of their instrument. But one listen to "Tramonto," a waltz in the style of Peacock's former employer, Bill Evans, easily establishes the equality of his jazz credentials. The interplay throughout Oracle helps define another genre that Towner (with ECM) and Peacock helped create: "chamber jazz." --Michael Ross

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing duo, August 31, 2007

By	Tyler Goodwin - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am a huge Gary Peacock fan. I believe he is one of the most versatile bassists on the scene today, and his work in all types of ensembles shows remarkable musicality and adaptability. That said, this is actually my personal favorite Peacock recording to date. His compositions are the best since "Tales of Another" and his melodic phrasing on both his and Towner's compositions leave the listener wanting more to say the least. Towner's performance is equally soulful, and the two musicians play with such unity that the difficulty of playing in a duo of this instrumentation is never brought out in this performance. What really catches the listener is how well Towner's guitar and Peacock's bass blend together, the bended notes and string noise actually seem to add to the greatness of the music, as is only possible in a string duo. Every track is excellent and I wish these two would tour together so I could experience this group in a small recital hall, as I would imagine that type of venue would be best for this ensemble.