Recorded in various sessions between 1996 and 2001
this solo album mixes up solo pieces with overdubbed solo works. Parker sticks
to soprano throughout (aside from “Organ Point” where he plays organ in
addition to soprano). Check out the strong melodies he blows over the hypnotic
backing on “Ak-Kor-Deer” (great, clean tone here too). “Pulse and the
Circulation of the Blood” features more hypnotic soprano’s circling around each
other. “Chorus After Alaric 1 or 2 for Gavin Byers” has an eerie, lyrical,
unrushed quality to it that appeals to me. The three solo pieces are more in
line with Parker’s previous solo soprano recordings. The more I listen to
Parker the more I dig is sound. When Parker holds notes/plays clean his tone
really comes to the fore – something that doesn’t always show through on his
solo outings.
Steve Lacy Quintet Follies (FMP)
Steve Potts (alto
sax) Irene Aebi (cello) Kent Carter (b) Oliver Johnson (d) I picked this up from the Destination Out store. It’s pretty raw live recording (Berlin 1977) and that rawness matches
the intensity of the music. It’s an intense album and recommended for those
looking for some full-throttle Lacy (check out his burning solos on “The Crust”
or the title track. The band is breathing fire with the two saxophones blowing
on top. Aebi’s cello adds to the vibe, it has a dark mysterious quality to it –
this album would sound very different without it (or if it had been replaced
with, say, piano). Potts has a distinctive voice on alto for which I feel he
gets very little acknowledgement. Lacy really took the horn places… not just
soprano, but the saxophone in general and the music too.
Steve Lacy & Evan
Parker Chirps (FMP)
Another disc I picked up at the Destination Out store. The first three tracks are from a Berlin concert in 1985 and the
remaining three tracks were recorded at the same venue following the concert.
The two soprano masters are well attuned to one another and have a great blend (tone/sounds
and musically). It’s nice to hear the Lacy influence on Parker’s playing. He plays
differently here - I was (pleasantly) surprised to hear just how much Parker
moved towards Lacy during this disc. This is a very listenable set and one that
I’m sure to return to again and again. Soprano players put this on your
required listening, and anyone interested in duo performances will take plenty
away from this album. It’s a very nice sounding recording too.
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