Spring Heel Jack - Live

Reid · June-6th-2003, 04:34 PM

I finally picked up Amassed, and I don't know what I think of it yet, but let's just say I'm interested in what the next albums will sound like. Has anyone heard this one yet?

Sergio Zamora · June-6th-2003, 05:19 PM

Reid,

Are you asking about Amassed or Live?

I've yet to hear the latter, but it's on the short-short list.

Uli · June-6th-2003, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Reid
I finally picked up Amassed, and I don't know what I think of it yet, but let's just say I'm interested in what the next albums will sound like.

Sounds like a description of the attention span of a gnat.

jazzfiend · June-6th-2003, 07:12 PM

Their new cd, Live, is a major success, even better than Amassed.

Two very long, improvised cuts totaling 75 minutes. Didn't think this band could create meaningful music of this caliber in the live format, but man was I wrong. These guys really listen and react to each other in memorable ways. Some very lyrical moments by the great Evan Parker here, as well as a nice glimpse of his 'jazzy' side. Everyone is in top form on this date.

"Live" now enters my top 10 for the year. Highly recommended.

Reid · June-6th-2003, 08:08 PM

Sergio,

I was asking about the Live disc.

Jazzfiend,

Thanks for the review. Here's some of my thoughts on the Amassed disc.

I don't know if the jazz and electronic elements came together real well, or I have a feeling they're close to blending the different styles a little more organically. (That's why I'm anticipating the next couple of albums, Uli.)

In light of those comments, do you think I should check out *Live*?

Uli · June-6th-2003, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Reid
Sergio,

I don't know if the jazz and electronic elements came together real well, or I have a feeling they're close to blending the different styles a little more organically. (That's why I'm anticipating the next couple of albums, Uli.)

Cool, Reid. It's just me. I like people relaxed a bit more form styles n' shit.

Stuckinagroove · June-9th-2003, 09:00 PM

oooooooo!!!

Sergio Zamora · June-9th-2003, 10:49 PM

I'm listening to "Live" right now. On one half-listen (the first 35 min track just finished), I'm digging it a lot. The interaction between the musicians is a lot more relaxed than on Amassed, but it's also more detailed and sublime. There aren't a lot of really intense moments, but the whole piece maintains a this really great intensity. There's even a Milesish hint to it. THis is, I'm sure, partly due to Shipp's use of the Fender Rhodes (solely).

The musicians themselves are all in excellent form. Evan Parker (only on tenor) is actually playing real live Jazz, believe it or not.

What I like about Coxon and Wales on this one is that they don't see the need to barrage us with texture and electronics at every moment. They seem to be secure enough about their own contributions and are well aware of the virtuosity of their fellow musicians that they don't need to overwhelm us with their electronics.

I suppose this will go under that jazztronica umbrella, but I just don't see it there. For one, this isn't straight beat music.

More on the second track later (maybe)

Tanager · June-11th-2003, 03:53 PM

This is my first foray into jazz-meets-electronica, for the most part, and it seems to me be a fairly well-done effort. The electronics mesh (to my ears) quite seemlessly with the instruments, and on the whole, it hangs together nicely. I was surprised to find I liked it as much on first listen as I did.

hearsay · June-12th-2003, 10:09 AM

I listened to about 15 minutes of this at the store last night and I liked it. It was quite varied and cohesive I thought. I'd like to hear from more people who have heard it.

Pete C · June-12th-2003, 10:28 AM

I haven't heard Live, but I found Amassed pleasant in a 70's sort of way.

walto · June-13th-2003, 07:44 AM

FWIW, I didn't care for "Amassed" at all. Gave it away after two listenings. I'm not exactly sure, but I think they were trying to do what Maneri, Taborn, et al. turned in with the excellent "Sustain."

Sergio Zamora · June-13th-2003, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by walto
I'm not exactly sure, but I think they were trying to do what Maneri, Taborn, et al. turned in with the excellent "Sustain."

Hmm. I never thought that at all. There are some superficial similarities, but the recordings seem so different to me. What makes you think that?

walto · June-13th-2003, 03:24 PM

Well, maybe I'm wrong. I figured they were both trying to update that "electric Miles" thing.

Sergio Zamora · June-13th-2003, 03:34 PM

Oh, I agree that they both have a take on electro-Miles, but they approach that music very differently, imo.

BWTHD-You-K

Captain Hate · June-13th-2003, 03:51 PM

I, otoh, liked Amassed much more than Sustained (except for the McPhee cut).

jazzfiend · June-13th-2003, 04:53 PM

Thanks, David. I just knew you'd dig it!

walto · June-13th-2003, 05:02 PM

"...they approach that music very differently"

Well, we agree on that anyway. (I'd say "Sustained" does so with sensitivity and brilliance, while "Amassed" makes its move with a rubber hose, a small squirt gun and bad aim.)

David Williams · June-13th-2003, 06:23 PM

So, can Evan Parker be heard properly on the live recording? I was at one of the shows - in the front row, close enough to have to duck one of Benninck's flying sticks - and Evan was drowned out a lot of the time. Great gig aprt from that, though.

frankpop1 · June-14th-2003, 05:19 AM

now, that sounds like good aim.

walto · June-14th-2003, 10:45 AM

As I recall, Bennink is what I liked best about "Amassed"

Stuckinagroove · June-14th-2003, 03:39 PM

Just ordered it, hope it's good

Rob C · August-5th-2003, 06:11 PM

Just got this, and, wow--it's even better than Masses or Amassed, both of which I love.

Maybe I'm just sheltered, but this sounds to me like some genuinely new stuff (as does Sustain, to follow up on some of the posts above).

frankpop1 · August-13th-2003, 02:53 AM

mmmm, youre probably a lil sheltered.