These are the only solo recordings by an obscure stride pianist. The sound quality is good, not great, but the playing is powerful. I fear that some might think the songs all sound alike, but I would strongly recommend it as a look into classic jazz and solo piano. Gu!
Performers: Todd Reynolds - Wayne DuMaine - Taimur Sullivan - Michael Lowenstern - Steve Gosling - David Cossin
- "Bill Ryan has clearly found his niche - and the dream band of musicians to collaborate with. In his debut album "Blurred," his band (called "Billband," so there's no confusion) finds their groove right out of the gate, and keeps pace throughout the disc. Individually, Billband members have an astonishing list of credits, including Prince, Yo-Yo Ma, Bang on a Can All-Stars, Blue Man Group and the Steve Reich Ensemble, among others. As a collection, they take no prisoners.
With a difficult-to-describe musical structure and style, Bill Ryan's tunes contain elements of familiar and attractive aural cues -- minimalistic ostinato figures, jazz, rock and, yes, even classical flavors in a tour de force that clearly projects Ryan's compositional command and artful constructions. Performed with a sense of spontaneity and high energy, Ryan's sometimes complex (but never overly so) textures project an aura of improvisation and integration, as though all of his players were just having a great time "jamming" together.
Recorded with an almost "spit-noise-on-the-back-of-the-reed" visceral presence, the sureness of Ryan's vision literally jumps out of the speakers. Billband is an experience, a band, and a sound that defies characterization. And, "Blurred" is a terrific first outing for this group." Innova Recordings 2004
More stride piano, by its "lion." Better sound quality, dense playing, and lots of extra guttural noises from Smith. This recording seems to have been approached as an archival recording. Indeed, Smith makes a few comments about the writers and musicians from whom he got these tunes. Gu!
Just had my first listen to the new Emmylou Harris/Rodney Crowell album Old Yellow Moon - big thumbs up. It's on Nonesuch so the MP3 price is pretty steep for my tastes so I went with the CD - very good.
Can I like New Age? Allmusic gave this 4 1/2 stars, and I can't figure out why. Instrumental versions of songs from and inspired by the British Invasion, played by piano and neutered Jazz ensemble. Strawberry Fields isn't half bad, but hardly essential. Streaming from Gu.
Richard Beirach, George Mraz & Jack DeJohnette, Elm.
Enjoying this a lot. Guvera (filed under Jack DeJohnette). @BT, I propose that "neutered jazz ensemble" immediately be adopted into the standard lexicon of musical genres.
@GP, G-d help us, if "neutered" proves to be a useful musical term.
Thanks, BigD, for bringing up Kitaro. I remember seeing him mentioned in keyboard magazine decade ago, but I never heard his music. This is more like prog rock, particularly in its theatricality. Gu!
Comments
Chick Corea & Gary Burton, Crystal Silence, Guvera.
I'm playing CD3 - alternate takes, and stuff not used. While intersting, not so good as the main CD by quite a way.
Ok, me too.
Fury Things - s/t
Now:
Fury Things - EP 2
Punk inspired rock (in the vein of Metz and The Men, although not quite on that quality level yet), both Free/NYOP on Bandcamp.
Craig
Streaming - nice.
I feel like following people this morning.
At least the track up on P4K.
These are the only solo recordings by an obscure stride pianist. The sound quality is good, not great, but the playing is powerful. I fear that some might think the songs all sound alike, but I would strongly recommend it as a look into classic jazz and solo piano. Gu!
Performers: Todd Reynolds - Wayne DuMaine - Taimur Sullivan - Michael Lowenstern - Steve Gosling - David Cossin
- "Bill Ryan has clearly found his niche - and the dream band of musicians to collaborate with. In his debut album "Blurred," his band (called "Billband," so there's no confusion) finds their groove right out of the gate, and keeps pace throughout the disc. Individually, Billband members have an astonishing list of credits, including Prince, Yo-Yo Ma, Bang on a Can All-Stars, Blue Man Group and the Steve Reich Ensemble, among others. As a collection, they take no prisoners.
With a difficult-to-describe musical structure and style, Bill Ryan's tunes contain elements of familiar and attractive aural cues -- minimalistic ostinato figures, jazz, rock and, yes, even classical flavors in a tour de force that clearly projects Ryan's compositional command and artful constructions. Performed with a sense of spontaneity and high energy, Ryan's sometimes complex (but never overly so) textures project an aura of improvisation and integration, as though all of his players were just having a great time "jamming" together.
Recorded with an almost "spit-noise-on-the-back-of-the-reed" visceral presence, the sureness of Ryan's vision literally jumps out of the speakers. Billband is an experience, a band, and a sound that defies characterization. And, "Blurred" is a terrific first outing for this group."
Innova Recordings 2004
That Lambert looks good BT; I will check it out.
Info @ Emusers
ETA: Breathtaking violin performance by Todd Reynolds !
More stride piano, by its "lion." Better sound quality, dense playing, and lots of extra guttural noises from Smith. This recording seems to have been approached as an archival recording. Indeed, Smith makes a few comments about the writers and musicians from whom he got these tunes. Gu!
The Beta Band - The Three ep's.
Info @ Emusers
Dollar Brand, African Piano.
Fun. Guvera.
Craig
Charles Lloyd Quartet - Jumping the Creek
Guvera.
Light Years by Simon Whetham. Rather nice classical-ish ambient, $1.89 here.
Free mix tape - pretty good.
At work. Will be more fun to listen to this one at home...
Can I like New Age? Allmusic gave this 4 1/2 stars, and I can't figure out why. Instrumental versions of songs from and inspired by the British Invasion, played by piano and neutered Jazz ensemble. Strawberry Fields isn't half bad, but hardly essential. Streaming from Gu.
Richard Beirach, George Mraz & Jack DeJohnette, Elm.
Enjoying this a lot. Guvera (filed under Jack DeJohnette).
@BT, I propose that "neutered jazz ensemble" immediately be adopted into the standard lexicon of musical genres.
Youth Lagoon "Wonderous Bughouse"
Thanks, BigD, for bringing up Kitaro. I remember seeing him mentioned in keyboard magazine decade ago, but I never heard his music. This is more like prog rock, particularly in its theatricality. Gu!