Peter Brötzmann Chicago Tentet - Stone/Water

Steve Reynolds · December-9th-2005, 04:08 PM

Recorded 5/23/1999 @ Victoriaville – on okkadisk

As stated on the credits…

Brotzmann: tenor sax, clarinet
Vandermark: tenor sax, clarinet, bass clarinet
Gustafsson: tenor sax, flutephone
Bishop: trombone
Kondo: trumpet, electronics
Lonberg-Holm: cello, violin
Parker: bass
Kessler: bass
Zerang: drums
Drake: drums/frame drum

For those who, know, we don’t need the first names...

One piece, slighly under 40 minutes, with compositional credit given to the leader – it is after all these spins, stunning in it’s intensity and immediacy. With the awesome tandum drum team all over this onslaught during the raucous and deeply layered and detailed storm some of the most intense and gratifying portions of this recording are during the quieter moments. And part of those sections are melodically based, and some morph into pure grit and sound – with Kondo’s beyond incredible genius driving this music to places that jazz isn’t supposed to be capable of.

In addition, this record has some of Brotz’s finest, wildest blowing of the recent past (of the stuff I have heard) and although Mats is used mainly as a force behind the massive primal screams of the ensemble, his voice comes through clearly

And the double basses with the cello/violin with the boys on the drums makes the opening 10 minutes simply something that I hunger to hear again once the piece concludes – one of those cases where the initial wall of sound that the band launches into *is* earned – earned because there is nothing like this band when the sparks ignite.

Trees Have Roots in the Earth

Paul B · December-9th-2005, 04:18 PM

The only Tentet record I own, and likely to be the only one I ever own. This record does have its merits, not the least of which is its length. When music like this drags on too long, the effect is a sort of numbing. Here, though, the gang plays a tight set. Good stuff. Still, I don't throw it on much....You gotta be just in the right mood for the punch to your gut the Tentet provides.

Bye-ya

Jon Abbey · December-9th-2005, 04:28 PM

they should have put out the whole Victo set as a double CD, nice range in material that night.

Steve Reynolds · December-9th-2005, 04:36 PM

thanks for reminding me, Jon

plus the sound of this one is better than the box set, and better than two later studio dates - one wonders why - I think it is the same guy who did the mastering - plus with all those sounds, the two basses and cello sound especially good - and then the real loud parts some in, it all holds together very well sonically - on the other discs, I find myself turing it up to really hear the drums the way I want ot hear them - here the balance is very good.

John L · December-14th-2005, 04:03 AM

I once sat in the front row for the tentet when they played Stone Water. Now that was a "punch to the gut."

It got my adrenalin flowing for months.

Pete C · December-14th-2005, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Reynolds

For those who, know, we don’t need the first names...

As usual, you don't give a shit about "those who don't know." I'm not buying the born again Reynolds act.

Steve Reynolds · December-14th-2005, 08:18 AM

not born again, Mr. Pete

has nothing to do with that sort of thing

at least I'm not gonna turn into a crotchety old fuck like you

Pete C · December-14th-2005, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Reynolds

at least I'm not gonna turn into a crotchety old fuck like you

"Turn into"? I started out that way.

baksheesh · November-3rd-2009, 02:23 PM

Haven't heard this one but I really enjoy the first album they did - the 3disc Octet/Tentet, the first time I'd heard anything to compare with Machine Gun for sheer power and adrenaline! Yowza! Looks like I should try and get hold of this one too...