ALBUM OF THE MONTH
ALBUM REVIEWS BY JAMIE DICKSON ,JASON SIDWELL AND DAVID MEAD
BILL FRISELL ORCHESTRAS (Blue Note Records) 10/10
You can’t pin down Bill Frisell. Like jazz contemporaries John Scofield and Pat Metheny, he never sits on his laurels and often creates delight with new sonic flights of fancy. As is the case with this new release. His jazz trio is augmented by two ensembles, the 60-piece Brussels Philharmonic and the 11-piece Umbria Jazz Orchestra. This is rich, sophisticated, vibrant and detailed music of the highest level. Certainly with elements of classic film music stylings and Gil Evans-esque traits, the two orchestras augment, accompany and lead the music courtesy of arranger Michael Gibbs. The big version is a three-disc release that includes both Frisell compositions and standards that he’s enjoyed playing in the past. So there’s his own Strange Meeting alongside Billy Strayhorn’s Lush Life and two versions of Ron Carter’s Doom, just for starters. Bill’s guitar often takes centre stage with his chord and single-note playing, cleantoned other than the occasional use of tremolo and ambience effects. Jazzy with substantial film noir vibes, it’s an album of cultivated beauty and depth that will enrich with each listen. (JS)