World of Odd Harmonics - Ned Rothenberg

[Captain Hate]

A few years ago, when I saw Evan Parker and Ned Rothenberg at Oberlin, I remarked that although seeing EP for the first time was of overriding importance, his performance was accurately anticipated in terms of how good it was. What I wasn't prepared for was how impressive Ned Rothenberg was on all instruments but particularly on clarinet and bass clarinet. In addition to staggering technique in terms of circular breathing and multiphonics, the fullness of sound on the straight instrument, which often sounds thin and reedy when played by others, projected in ways I previously thought impossible. A solo performance on clarinet was the unexpected highlight of the evening.

Subsequently I've picked up a few of his discs on Tzadik and, even though they were all good, I was still missing that aspect of his playing. With the current disc, that wait is over. Recorded at the acoustically friendly environment of New York's Academy of Arts and Letters, this is a tour de force of the B flat, A and bass clarinets. But it's far more than a display of awesome technique; each of these compositions is fully developed in terms of having musical validity over and beyond the mere ability to play them. The dynamics at the end of "Odd Not Odd?" for example, where the notes are hauntingly faint, keep the listener poised to hear whatever comes next. And the droning slap-tongued accents on bass clarinet on "Swagger" remind of the underpinnings he gave Parker to play over, although in this case it's Rothenberg doing the overlaying soloing.

I know solo discs are a tough sell for some people, particularly on an instrument like clarinet, but this can stand on it's own with any release this or any year.

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Thanks for posting this, Cap! I'm a big fan of Rothenberg's and will pick it up

I really like Rothenberg's Inner Diaspora on Tzadik, and I also quite like his Opposites Attract with Paul Dresher (& Bobby Previte, etc) on New World

But by far my favorite record of his is Free Zone Appleby 2007 with Evan Parker and my man Paolo Angeli on Sardinian guitar -- one of my favorite records of the last 20 years!

Looking forward to this one

[Captain Hate]

Have you heard "The Fell Clutch", Steve? I know Sisco liked it a great deal but don't know if anybody else raved about it here. It's very good. As are the ones you mentioned.

[NickS]

I liked Rothenberg on Denman Maroney's "Udentity". Not sure why I've never checked him out further.

Doing a quick search, "The Power Lines" also has some nice reviews. Have you heard it?

[Captain Hate]

Power Lines on New World was the first time I heard Rothenberg that I can remember. It is quite good.

[john williams]

Gary sent me a copy of The Fell Clutch in exchange for some Necks stuff and I too liked it a lot.

I didn't really like Power Lines but can't remember why. I think I prefer Ned in small group, duo or solo even so I might check this out. I'm listening to the AMG samples right now and I think this will be my cup of tea. Bcl is one of my favorite instruments. Cheers for the rec.

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

This is a great record! Huge sound palette for a solo record! Free jazz often heavily influenced by world music, as in the incredible thirteen minute Depth Perception, which could have been called If Didgeridoos Could Fly. I'm in the middle of my third listen, and feel like I'm only beginning to savor all the goods in this record.

Outstanding! My new record of the year, and Rothenberg's best, which is saying a lot.