Customer Reviews

Where in the World

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

 

 

This is the best Frisell CD there is, and that's saying a lot. Awesome. A must-have. Hypnotic, haunting, and mind-bending.

This album is one of Bill Frisell's diamonds in the rough! This album features a quartet setting adding a cello to frisell's usual trio (baron, driscoll). The results are haunting and amazing. The beauty of the songs are what stike me the most. His songwriting abilities are really on display here. Although, Frisell does get naughty a few times with some excellent solos. The album has a masked tenderness with dark overtones, the feel the album creates is the crowning aspect of the album. Just try out "Rob Roy," "Child at Heart," and "where in the World?" to really get a taste of this hauntingly beautiful album.

New to the jazz scene and still undecided on which genre suits me best. I've explored Mingus to Uri Caine, Coltrane to John Zorn. But I must say this album, on first listen, blew me away. Haunting and intense. Something that stirs the heart and soul from within. It takes you to far away places never wanting to return. Melodic and beautiful. Just a touch of avant garde. Enough to satisfy the craving. This is my first Bill Frisell album and only discovered him from reading reviews and listening to sound bytes on Amazon. Someone make a recommendation for my next. Please !! Hurry !!

This release flies under the radar for most Frisellians. Perhaps it's because Bill Frisell's early discography is so uneven. While Bill is one of my all-time favorite guitar players, the Driscoll & Baron trio was one of my least favorite Frisellian groups. I don't know if it's the addition of Hank Roberts on cello, but this a fantastic listen with years of staying power. That written, "Where in the World?" has that uncomfortably dated 1980's sound, but it is minor and easily forgiveable. The primary sound is instrumental rock. The music contains that atmospheric guitar and the quirky arrangements that Frisell was so fond of during his earlier, more orchestrally oriented years. In this respect, "Where in the World?" sounds like a looser and more informal version of what would eventually become "Bill Frisell Quartet." With plenty of spacing, the compositions are relaxed. Compelling describes the melodies employed and the improvisation played. The mood is dark and ominous. While not a place to begin, "Rambler" is a great listen for the Frisellian who has played out Bill Frisell's first tier recordings.

As a reviewer has said "I am a tard," they are right! I completely wrote this album off, because at that time I didn't get it.....sorry, but we all make mistakes...right?

Having said that, this is a hauntingly beautiful album that will really challenge you and inspire you. You must have an open mind when you're listening to this album, that's a given, but you must also be willing to throw all pretensions you may have of jazz out the window. I finally did that and this album is one of my favorite Bill Frisell albums now. I have every Bill album now, and I will continue to listen to him whenever I get the chance.

The album opens up with "Unsung Heroes," which is one of my favorite tunes on the album with it's dissonance. He's such a master at taking dissonance and making it accessible. Another one of my favorite tunes is "Again," with it's dark timbre and moody excursions. Another highlight, for me anyway, is "Child At Heart," which starts off with a great jazz melody and by the end of the piece it's turned into a surf song! Great drumming, by the way, from Joey Baron on this song. I always admired his musical unpredictablity.

I'm a fool to call this album what I did. Never will I say another bad thing about Bill Frisell again, because he's my favorite guitarist. An amazing album that is truly rewarding.

Musicians:

Bill Frisell - guitar
Kermit Driscoll - bass
Hank Roberts - cello
Joey Baron - drums


*Jazz lovers don't write this album off, because it will grow on you in a big way

Special update note: Amazon please change the label name of the record company. This record was released under the Elektra Musician label. The same label that put out "Before We Were Born" and "Is That You?" The Elektra/Nonesuch albums are "Have A Little Faith" and "This Land."

I was cruising through the Bill Frisell catalog looking for holes in my collection, and happened to notice that among all of the 5-star albums this one was rated at 4.

Why?

Because some utter 'tard from Georgia didn't get it. Whatever. I've never written an Amazon review before and am unlikely to again, but I must come to this album's defense.

This is one of the best albums I've ever owned. I've just now purchased a copy to replace the one I bought when it came out - after more than a decade of enjoyment my original copy is quite a bit worse for wear.

Pay no attention to this idjit who could not grasp the completely simple structures of the tunes; who could not fit this in any conveinient "jazz" or "avante-garde" or whatever box in his small mind; who could not be bothered to give it the time to grow that the best music requires. You will not find simple hooks here. You will not find simple music here. If these things are requirements for you, please stop listening to music for grown-ups.

Out of 5 stars, I give it 10.