Time and Time Again

Paul Motian | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 3, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ecm Records
• ASIN: B000LSA84E
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #161,033 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

You could call the austere, resonating sounds laid down by drummer Paul Motian, guitarist Bill Frisell and saxophonist Joe Lovano chamber jazz. But while that would speak to the refinement of this long-standing trio, it would miss the free, open-ended nature of their collaboration. You get the feeling if they weren't in the business of making a recording, their three-way conversations would keep going and going. Dominated by Motian compositions, this sequel to their fine 2004 album, I Have the Room Above Her, is frequently centered by Lovano's artfully restrained tenor, buoyed by Frisell's trademark roots-inflected chordings and prodded by Motian's ever-shifting patterns. But the artists exchange those roles at will, resulting in melodies that can come at you from any angle and textures that constantly renew themselves. A diaphonous reading of Thelonious Monk's "Light Blue" and a plummy reading of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "This Nearly Was Mine" (from South Pacific) raise the melodic ante while maintaining the overall feeling of the album. --Lloyd Sachs

Product Description

One of the great bands of modern jazz, Paul Motian, Bill Frisell and Joe Lovano have been recording together since 1981. Ever since, and despite skyrocketing careers, the three musicians have always set aside time to continue their trio collaboration.

Paul Motian's last two albums on ECM have been widely lauded by press and fans alike. 2005's I Have The Room Above Her was Motian, Frisell, Lovano's last outing, and Time and Time Again has been eagerly-awaited since. The new record features compositions by Motian and Lovano, plus a tune from Thelonious Monk and the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic "This Nearly Was Mine" from South Pacific.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational three-way music-making ., April 3, 2007

By 

Hal Charles - See all my reviews

This review is from: Time and Time Again (Audio CD)

Paul Motian once again teams up with guitarist Bill Frisell and tenor saxophonist, Joe Lovano.
Each of these artists have done very well on their own, but their combined force is, as the platitude goes, far greater than the sum of its parts.
There's a genuine sense of luxuriousness to "Time And Time Again".
Whether it be the muted blue textures of Frisell's sensitive guitar passages or the sheer effervescent sparkle of Motian's cymbals, there's an uncommon richness of atmosphere to this recording.
Although predominantly made up of original compositions by Motian himself, the trio tackle a couple of standards in the shape of Rogers & Hammerstein's "This Nearly Was Mine" and Thelonious Monk's "Light Blue" and and Lovano's drifting "Party Line" to particularly great effect.
Throughout the album the mutual respect between these three players is abundantly evident, with no one voice intruding upon another.
Motian's own performance, in particular, remains remarkably accommodating to his fellow performers, allowing the compositions themselves to take centre stage.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Three old pros, April 28, 2007

By 

G B (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Time and Time Again (Audio CD)

The first few times I listened to this album, I was somewhat disappointed. It's grown on me a lot since then. Sonically it's quite similar to the trio's previous album on ECM, I Have the Room Above Her. There's lots of sophisticated, subtle interplay between the three musicians, but with a mellower, less explosive sound than their albums on JMT/Winter&Winter and Soul Note. Don't expect any squealing electric guitar by Frisell or free jazz screaming by Lovano.

Favorite tracks: some nice free-ish jousting on "Onetwo", the very melodic "K.T.", and Thelonious Monk's very funny "Light Blue". "In Remembrance of Things Past" is nice, but doesn't hold a candle to the very intense version recorded on Trioism.

I'd check out I Have the Room Above Her or some of their albums on JMT/W&W before this one, but if you like those albums then you will probably appreciate this one as well.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good album, but was expecting something a little better, November 21, 2007

By 

J. Rich - See all my reviews

This review is from: Time and Time Again (Audio CD)

I'm going to try and keep this review short.

I have listened to this album several times, but I think this lacks the heartbreaking beauty of their previous album "I Have The Room Above Her." That album was really one of the best jazz trio albums I've ever heard well next to Bill Evans Trio - "You Must Believe In Spring."

Having said that, this album hasn't grown on me the way their previous release has. Another person mentioned the JMT/Winter and Winter releases and they are all great in particular the "On Broadway" series. Great modern takes on jazz standards.

The music on this album is almost in the same vein as "I Have The Room Above Her," but with a little bit emphasis on pure gorgeous beauty. I know they're just expanding on their concept, but I think they could've done so much better.

All the musicians are amazing and I'm all really big fans of: Paul Motian is the master of time and space. He never fails to display his own distinctive drumming style. Bill Frisell, who's one of my biggest influences, is one of the true innovators of jazz guitar. He has totally opened up a new sonic world to the masses. Frisell is also a virtuoso of texture. He always plays so tastefully, no notes are wasted. For Frisell, it's not about speed, it's about the music. Joe Lovano is an amazing saxophonist. I first heard him on Paul Motian's first album "Psalm" and then I was impressed with him, then I heard him on "It Shouldn've Happened A Long Time Ago" and was completely floored by his sound, technique, and how much feeling he puts into every note he plays. One of the true great saxophonist of our time.

"Time And Time Again" is not a bad album. The reason I'm giving it four stars is because I've much better music from this trio. I recommend this album if you like Motian's work with Frisell and Lovano.