| Name | Artist | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Waterwheel | Ralph Towner | 9:20 | Album Only | View In iTunes |
|
2 |
Shades of Sutton Hoo | Ralph Towner | 4:37 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
Trellis | Ralph Towner | 8:23 | Album Only | View In iTunes |
|
4 |
Batik | Ralph Towner | 16:20 | Album Only | View In iTunes |
|
5 |
Green Room | Ralph Towner | 6:20 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
| Total: 5 Songs |
Album Review
Guitarist Ralph Towner (who also plays a bit of piano) teams up with the highly sympathetic bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Jack DeJohnette for five of his originals on this 1978 date. The music unfolds slowly but logically, and Towner's quiet sound displays a lot of inner heat. Highlights include "Waterwheel" and the 16-minute "Batik." Well worth listening to closely, at a high volume.
Customer Reviews
I can understand
For me this kind of interaction has become over the years a far more interesting approach in terms of exploring textures, not better, but more in line with my own sensibilities as a listener and also someone that loves impressionism, evocative imagery and dynamic interplay between silence, intensity and simplicity. I understand perfectly the 2 schools of thought in regards to Jazz, and I appreciate both. But I enjoy more listening to Jazz within a chamber setting, where each nuance is carefully heard, where depth and quietness have just an equal say as in the interplay between musicians. This album is very contemplative and has tremendous depth, but more within a chamber setting rather than the more typical recordings that exist and use the typical standards in terms of recording and warmth. Jazz has always been like Classical music to me, there are times for that more traditionnal in your face kind of interplay, and other times it's far more appropriate to explore new timbres, textures and rhythmic approaches. Check out DeJohnette's amazing cymbal on this album. A must have in your Towner collection.
Unfolded With Patience
This is not music for short attention spans. Shapes, colors and tones shift and unfold oh so gradually with almost painful patience. Restraint is the dominant theme. This is not the jazz of giant egos, but the quiet ebb and tide of contemplation, listening, silence. I devoured Batik and large portions of the EMC catalog back in the late 70's through the mid 80's. I suspect that many of the ECM artists like Weber, Garbarak, Towner, Pärt, Wheeler, and others anticipated and influenced many future ambient artists and jazz artists alike. Lush. I'm so glad to revisit it on iTunes all these years later.
Average
This music does not work for me. I found the album predictable. The wandering/traveling usually present in this kind of jazz does not surprise or interest. Not enough creative interplay between musicians. I'm not sure how much the musicians are doing their own thing vs. doing what they think this kind of jazz requires.
Biography
Born: March 1, 1940 in Chehalis, WA
Genre: Jazz
Years Active: '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s
Top Albums and Songs By Ralph Towner
| Name | Album | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Icarus | Matchbook | 5:52 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
2 |
Icarus | Diary | 6:17 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
Some Other Time | Matchbook | 6:16 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
4 |
Goodbye Pork Pie Hat | Matchbook | 4:26 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
5 |
Always By Your Side | Time Line | 2:52 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
6 |
Aurora | Matchbook | 5:11 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
7 |
Matchbook | Matchbook | 4:34 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
8 |
Waltz for Debby | Open Letter | 4:15 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
9 |
Song for a Friend | Matchbook | 5:10 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
10 |
Drifting Petals | Matchbook | 5:17 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
