CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

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Being There

by: Tord Gustavsen Trio

Release Date April 30, 2007
I haven't bought the second or third CD from Tord - the first is nice, but too gentle and smooth for me on the whole. Where Jarrett digs and delves and constantly challenges himself to the point where he achieves state-of-grace, Tord sounds timid. It is haunting but not completely rewarding for me.

All the same, I have tickets for the concert next Friday 5th December at St Martins church (just off Trafalgar Square). Seems like the ideal venue for his minimal approach. This might persuade me to make another purchase - who knows.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

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Changing Places

by: Tord Gustavsen Trio

Release Date March 17, 2003
I've been listening to artists on ECM for many years and occasionally, just occasionally, I'll come up on something that makes me sit up and take notice. Pat Metheny, Eberhard Weber, Jan Garbarek, Arve Henriksen immediately spring to mind, but not that many piano/ bass/ drums trios. It's a very well trodden path for musicians, and that could be why I was reluctant to give him a listen before. Well, that's been my loss and I'm going to get hold of more asap.

The style doesn't get into the oh-so-quite-you-wonder-if-they've-all-gone-home variety, and you won't find yourself waiting with baited breath for the next tinkling cymbal to appear, but it's definitely a relaxing, thoughtful, rewarding and strangely uplifing experience. I don't know whether ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

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The Ground

by: Tord Gustavsen Trio

Release Date January 31, 2005
Pianist Tord Gustavsen and his partners Harald Johnsen (bass) and Jarle Vespestad (drums) have staked out their own distinctive piece of ground in a land that straddles the borders between jazz, church music and conservatoire music. The Ground explores in more depth the territory that was first plotted out in the trio's first release, "Changing Places".

The Ground is a gorgeous set of pieces, some more churchy (The Ground), some more funky (Curtains Aside) and some more lyrical (Tears Transforming) but all played with warmth and faithful attention to the quality of touch as well as the quality of sound. And the loving attention the guys pay to what they're playing induces the same response in their audience. At a recent concert, I have never felt ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

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Changing Places

by: Tord Gustavsen Trio

Release Date November 05, 2008
I've been listening to artists on ECM for many years and occasionally, just occasionally, I'll come up on something that makes me sit up and take notice. Pat Metheny, Eberhard Weber, Jan Garbarek, Arve Henriksen immediately spring to mind, but not that many piano/ bass/ drums trios. It's a very well trodden path for musicians, and that could be why I was reluctant to give him a listen before. Well, that's been my loss and I'm going to get hold of more asap.

The style doesn't get into the oh-so-quite-you-wonder-if-they've-all-gone-home variety, and you won't find yourself waiting with baited breath for the next tinkling cymbal to appear, but it's definitely a relaxing, thoughtful, rewarding and strangely uplifing experience. I don't know whether it's ... Read More: