Record Reviews
6 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.
  | TORD GUSTAVSEN ~ BEING THERE
ECM 2017 (Barcode: 602517235175) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2006 Released: 2007
This is the third album on the ECMFind albums on this label label by the Norwegian pianist / composer Tord GustavsenFind albums by this artist and the last recording with his trio with bassist Harald JohnsenFind albums by this artist and drummer Jarle VespestadFind albums by this artist, which recorded also the two albums preceding this one. The album includes thirteen relatively short compositions, all by Gustavsen, which could be perceived as a continuous suite.
The music, which represents the Nordic Jazz idiom perfectly, is deeply lyrical, melancholic and laid-back, often quite introvert and somewhat dark, but always beautiful and delightful. The decision to include many different melodic themes enhances the overall effect of this album, as such somber music can easily become overbearing and remote itself from the listener. The trio performs perfectly, as always, with elegance, flair and dedication.
Listeners familiar with the earlier albums by this trio will surely enjoy this one as well, as it continues the same musical direction and sustains the same excellent level of composition and execution. Jazz piano trio connoisseurs will absolutely love this stuff of course. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | TORD GUSTAVSEN ~ CHANGING PLACES
ECM 1834 (Barcode: 044001639722) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2001 - 2002 Released: 2003
This is the 1st album on the prestigious ECMFind albums on this label label by Norwegian pianist / composer Tord GustavsenFind albums by this artist. Recorded in a trio format with bassist Harald JohnsenFind albums by this artist and drummer Jarle VespestadFind albums by this artist this most impressive debut includes music, all composed by Gustavsen, which is absolutely brilliant in its typical Nordic way; relaxed, romantic, lyrical and beautifully melodic. Rather than dwelling in extended improvisations the album presents thirteen relatively short pieces, all of which are based on a beautiful melody line, which serves as a basis of sonic excursions. The trio performs superbly together, with the bass playing an important role and soloing extensively and the drummer fulfills the blanks and silences in between. Although some listeners might find the Nordic music "cold", this is a complete nonsense, and careful listening will eventually disclose the passionate nature of this music, beneath the stern exterior. Absolutely brilliant stuff and a major new voice!
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | TORD GUSTAVSEN ~ THE GROUND
ECM 1892 (Barcode: 028947619383) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2004 Released: 2004
This is the 2nd album on the prestigious ECMFind albums on this label label by Norwegian pianist / composer Tord GustavsenFind albums by this artist. Recorded in a trio format, same as the debut, with bassist Harald JohnsenFind albums by this artist and drummer Jarle VespestadFind albums by this artist this most impressive follow up includes music, all composed by Gustavsen, which is absolutely brilliant in its typical Nordic way; relaxed, romantic, lyrical and beautifully melodic. Rather than dwelling in extended improvisations the album presents twelve relatively short pieces, all of which are based on a beautiful melody line, which serves as a basis of sonic excursions. The trio performs superbly together, with the bass playing an important role and soloing extensively and the drummer fulfills the blanks and silences in between. Although some listeners might find the Nordic music "cold", this is a complete nonsense, and careful listening will eventually disclose the passionate nature of this music, beneath the stern exterior. Absolutely brilliant stuff and a major new voice!
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | JAN ERIK KONGSHAUG ~ ALL THESE YEARS
HOT CLUB 2027 (Barcode: 7029660003278) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2003 Released: 2003
This is the second album by Norwegian Jazz guitarist / composer Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with pianist Svein Olav HerstadFind albums by this artist, bassist Harald JohnsenFind albums by this artist and drummer Per Oddvar JohansenFind albums by this artist. Together they perform ten pieces, nine of which are original compositions by Kongshaug and one is by Herstad. This album was recorded five years after the recording of Kongshaug´s debut, exactly with the same lineup. The most important difference if the fact that is presents almost entirely original compositions by Kongshaug.
Jan Erik Kongshaug is primarily known as the legendary sound engineer and owner of the Rainbow Studio in Oslo. He gave me this album himself when I visited him in his studio and even autographed it, as you can see on the scan of the album´s cover. The music was of course recorded in Rainbow Studio and engineered by Kongshaug, with spectacular sonic result.
The music is notably less mainstream Jazz oriented than the music on the debut album, with the melodic and harmonic aesthetics closer to the contemporary European Jazz, especially its Nordic sub-genre. The tunes are mostly relaxed and progress relatively leisurely, like waves caressing a sandy beach. Living among the magnificent Norwegian fjords must influence the country´s inhabitants, which is then reflected in their music. Kongshaug uses both chords and single notes, producing a coherent and refined sound, which engulfs the listener like a warm blanket.
The three younger musicians earned a lot of respect on the local and international scene since the recording of the debut album with Kongshaug, and they amicably accompany the leader, soloing relatively rarely. This wonderful modesty and respect does not hide their great talents of course, which is obvious to anyone listening to this album.
Sadly Kongshaug´s extremely busy schedule allowed so far for just two albums and hopefully we will hear more of his music again one day!
| | Updated: 04/11/2016Posted: 04/11/2016 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | JAN ERIK KONGSHAUG ~ THE OTHER WORLD
ACT 9267 (Barcode: 614427926722) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1998 Released: 1999
This is the debut album by Norwegian Jazz guitarist / composer Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with three young (at the time of the recording) and upcoming musicians: pianist Svein Olav HerstadFind albums by this artist, bassist Harald JohnsenFind albums by this artist and drummer Per Oddvar JohansenFind albums by this artist. Together they perform ten pieces, six of which are original compositions by Kongshaug and four are standards.
If anybody is wondering if this is the same Jan Erik Kongshaug who is the legendary sound engineer and owner of the Rainbow Studio in Oslo, the answer is yes it is. Jan Erik Kongshaug gave me this album himself when I visited him in his studio and even autographed it, as you can see on the scan of the album´s cover. The album´s title might hint to the guitar playing as being the other world of his illustrious career in sound engineering.
The music is beautiful mainstream Jazz, based on superb melodic themes and executed perfectly by the participants and of course fabulously recorded as well. The three young lions, which played and recorded together as a piano trio before this recording, are perfectly synced and balanced together, and play classic Jazz patterns as if they have been doing it for decades. Kongshaug´s guitar will probably surprise many listeners, as it is as professional and inspired as they come, somewhat reminiscent of Barney KesselFind albums by this artist.
The most important characteristic of this recording is the elegance and the atmosphere of comradeship between the musicians. This is music made with love and respect, shunning ego and competition, while and simply having fun while doing it.
Lovers of classic Jazz guitar playing should have a lot of fun with this album, especially since it avoids all form of flashy guitar pyrotechnics and simply does what is right at every moment, supported by a dream-team rhythm section.
Kongshaug´s extremely busy schedule allowed so far for only one more recording session with the same lineup five years later, a review of which will follow shortly.
| | Updated: 01/11/2016Posted: 01/11/2016 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
|
