CD-Charts Position 1

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History, Mystery

by: Bill Frisell

Release Date May 12, 2008

CD-Charts Position 2
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I Have the Room Above Her

by: Paul Motian, Bill Frisell, Joe Lovano

Release Date January 31, 2005
This is first and foremost an album of great lyrical beauty. There are no egos on display here. Though Lovano and Frisell are bright luminaries in the jazz firmament in their own right, they give it their all in the service of Motian's compositions (as well as the title track by Kern/Hammerstein and a Monk piece). When necessary, they play with gorgeous restraint; and I hope it doesn't sound fanciful to say that silence is a fourth player in this band. It's one of the great things about jazz that the master musicians are quite prepared to produce their very finest playing for others: so if you are a Lovano or a Frisell fan, don't hesitate. As for Paul Motian, if you are new to him, then treat yourself both to this superlative CD, and to the ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Time and Time Again

by: Paul Motian, Bill Frisell, Joe Lovano

Release Date February 26, 2007
Paul Motian is one of the greatest jazz drummers, but he is also a great leader and composer as well. Motian was the drummer in Bill Evans' most celebrated trio (with Scott LaFaro on bass) and in Keith Jarrett's US quartet. In my opinion he has built up a body of work as a leader as good as the work of either of those great groups.

This trio, with Bill Frisell on guitar and Joe Lovano on tenor saxophone, has released several excellent albums, most recently 2005's 'I Have the Room Above Her'. With 'Time and Time Again' they adopt a similarly light, subtle style, but take it further. The rhythm here is barely stated at all, giving the music a floating quality, and allowing Motian to use his drums very imaginatively. Frisell's guitar ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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Blues Dream

by: Bill Frisell

Release Date April 23, 2001
In the late 80s and early 90s, Bill Frisell released a handful of truly fantastic guitar driven modern jazz albums. Then, it seemed he was happy to age gracefully but never reach his peak again... And suddenly, here comes "Blues Dream" that fuses the best of "Rambler", "Before we were born", and "This land" with his more recent country-tinged approach but manages to be more than the sum of its parts! The guitars' interplay in amazing, the horns bring an extra dimension to the general sound and mood, and the new rhythm section is excellent.... Great album and his best for ages!

CD-Charts Position 5
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Have a Little Faith - American Music from Copland to Madonna

by: Bill Frisell

Release Date January 18, 1993
In the late 80s and early 90s, Bill Frisell released a handful of truly fantastic guitar driven modern jazz albums. Then, it seemed he was happy to age gracefully but never reach his peak again... And suddenly, here comes "Blues Dream" that fuses the best of "Rambler", "Before we were born", and "This land" with his more recent country-tinged approach but manages to be more than the sum of its parts! The guitars' interplay in amazing, the horns bring an extra dimension to the general sound and mood, and the new rhythm section is excellent.... Great album and his best for ages!

CD-Charts Position 6
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Frisell: Nashville

from: Nonesuch

Release Date June 02, 1997

Bill Frisell is a guitarist who, although steeped in the jazz tradition, is a kind of musical omnivore. He has crossed stylistic borders throughout his career and set up an intriguing confluence of distinctive American styles of music.

On "Nashville" - where the album was recorded - he uses country elements to present a refreshing collection with an all-star cast of country-roots musicians, including dobroist Jerry Douglas and banjo player Ron Block. Robin Holcomb even sings on three of the fourteen tracks.

Frisell and company play with real affection for the country form and without any avant posturing. The resulting sound is original and distinct. The result is a pure delight of lyrical, whimsical, improvisation ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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Psalm

by: Paul Motian, Bill Frisell, Joe Lovano

Release Date April 06, 1992

Bill Frisell is a guitarist who, although steeped in the jazz tradition, is a kind of musical omnivore. He has crossed stylistic borders throughout his career and set up an intriguing confluence of distinctive American styles of music.

On "Nashville" - where the album was recorded - he uses country elements to present a refreshing collection with an all-star cast of country-roots musicians, including dobroist Jerry Douglas and banjo player Ron Block. Robin Holcomb even sings on three of the fourteen tracks.

Frisell and company play with real affection for the country form and without any avant posturing. The resulting sound is original and distinct. The result is a pure delight of lyrical, whimsical, improvisation ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
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Deep Dead Blue, Live at Meltdown

by: Elvis Costello & Bill Frisell

Release Date

Bill Frisell is a guitarist who, although steeped in the jazz tradition, is a kind of musical omnivore. He has crossed stylistic borders throughout his career and set up an intriguing confluence of distinctive American styles of music.

On "Nashville" - where the album was recorded - he uses country elements to present a refreshing collection with an all-star cast of country-roots musicians, including dobroist Jerry Douglas and banjo player Ron Block. Robin Holcomb even sings on three of the fourteen tracks.

Frisell and company play with real affection for the country form and without any avant posturing. The resulting sound is original and distinct. The result is a pure delight of lyrical, whimsical, improvisation ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
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East West

by: Bill Frisell

Release Date September 19, 2005
To be fair, I don't have much to say about this album. But when I visited the page, I found no-one else had bothered even commenting, which is a real shame.

This is a double CD, and it's live. Different locations (Yoshi's and Village Vangaurd), and different personnel (Frisell/Kraussd/Wolleesen and Frisell/Scherr/Wollesoen) on each CD. No matter - Frisell is the same.

Okay, maybe the second CD is a tad more avant garde, but it's never outrageous. And things are so together throughout this CD. Mellow at times, driving the next, Bill pulls us along on his excellent music.

Not much to say - other than it's essential Frisell. Not a bad place to start if you're new to the man, either.

CD-Charts Position 10
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Bill Frisell With Dave Holland and Elvin Jones

by: Bill Frisell

Release Date October 22, 2001
Guitar, drums and bass. Frisell, Elvin Jones and Dave Holland. Some Country and Rock influences but its jazz, I think.
First track Outlaws opens gently but soon picks up pace with powerful walking bass from Holland. Elvin manages to keep himself in harness with remarkable restraint.
Twenty Years is nothing special but Coffaro's Theme gets the feel dood back. Frisell has so many sounds and tones at his fingertips.
Blues Dream has a lovely melody but has some nice moments of counterpoint from Jones to keep everybody on their toes. Next we get a very unusual take on Moon River. Just groovy baby. Fab ending.
Tell Your Ma, Tell Your Pa opens slowly with some typical down in the basemunt rumbling from Jones till the tune opens out to ... Read More: