Customer Reviews

Tiny Bell Trio

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

 

 

There's not really much to tell - Dave is a fantastic trumpeter and a fairly creative guy to boot, and this (along with the Charms of the Night Sky group) may be his best band. Good writing and fantastic interplay - special mention goes to Jim "Han-Bennink-Jr." Black on the drums - make this album instantly enjoyable, and it holds up to repeated listens.

...a hole-in-the-wall club in NYC. These guys were so playful, really a great show. This disc captures some of that energy, even though it was recorded in a studio. It is angular, upbeat, original. Lots of influences here: post-bop, Eastern European gypsy vibe, and downtown skronk mix it up in highly entertaining ways. It can get a little noisy in places, so if you're looking for smooth jazz this ain't for you. Challenging and still satisfies 10 years after I got it. Very worthy. Essential for Douglas fans.

Dave Douglas has become my favorite contemporary trumpeter, and this CD adds to my appreciation of his mastery. The three musicians complement one another on a host of eclectic tracks, ranging from sounds that are rooted in classical music to leading-edge jazz. Brad Schoeppach more than holds his own on guitar and Jim Black does a great job of drumming. All in all, an exciting, yet beautiful disc well worth owning.

This is Dave Douglas's first Tiny Bell Trio CD. Setup with trumpet, guitar, and drums, it's a lineup with a flexible but at times full sound. This isn't the best Tiny Bell CD - that would be either Songs For Wandering Souls (my choice) or Constellations (many critics' choice). In typical Douglas fashion, it starts with a catchy song, "Red Emma," which has a memorable theme and good group interaction. "Punchy" is another good one. The typical Tiny Bell Trio song has a stately, Eastern European feel to it. "Road/Home" is more upright than most. "Head-on Kouvlodsko" is more Balkan than the others. "The Drowned Girl" is a quiet, free-sounding song, before resolving into a classical-sounding section. "Song For My Father-in-Law" is very free, and has great interaction between Dave Douglas, Brad Shepik, and drummer Jim Black. "Arabesque" has more classical feel. "Czardas" is another stately, Balkan song that mixes a little skronk into it.