Paul Motian Trio - Time and Time Again

BrianL1 · March-13th-2007, 12:21 PM

Since this is out now in Europe it probably deserves a thread.

Here's a review:

http://music.guardian.co.uk/jazz/joh...029362,00.html

Any local opinions?

Rob C · March-13th-2007, 01:23 PM

I'm really looking forward to this one. I've become a huge fan of this trio in the past year (starting with their previous ECM). I like all three players quite a bit anyway, but together they are something special.

Might have to pre-order this...!

jaka · March-18th-2007, 01:25 PM

Listened to it only twice, but found it pretty useless, if not completely boring.
Far from the very good and enjoyeable disc that I Have the Room Above Her (or numerous other efforts from this trio, for that matter) was.

EDIT: I hate the kind of reviews like this Guardian one.
"Oh, these are great musicians. They put out so many great discs together, let's tell the world!
What? This one's not that interesting?
Way below the previous one?
Who cares?
I don't take risks by saying it's up there in their field, and even making a small reference to the said previous effort..."
Useless, too.

olie brice · March-18th-2007, 02:14 PM

I've only listened to it twice as well, and neither time the whole way through, but I'm very underwhelmed too. Much less exciting than 'I have the room above her', which I loved. They know how to sound lovely, but don't seem to bother going beyond that.
Apart from the version of Monk's 'light blue', which is great.

Derek Taylor · March-18th-2007, 09:11 PM

I’m in the process of trying to write this one up. I actually like it, but agree that it’s not nearly as impressive as I Have the Room… It’s been interesting A/B-ing it w/ ONE TIME OUT, the Trio’s first record on Soul Note, and noting the differences, esp. w/ regards to Frisell. He really has buttoned things up over the past few years & I miss the guy who was such a maverick on albums like NEWS FOR LULU and FULTON STREET MAUL. There are edges to be found here, but they’re often swaddled in production gauze and the overall restraint on display is sometimes discouraging.

Rob C · March-18th-2007, 09:15 PM

These comments are disappointing to read! Well, I've already pre-ordered it (along with David Torn's upcoming ECM), so I'll hear for myself soon enough, I guess. I really love this band, so I'll be surprised if I can't find redeeming value.

BrianL1 · March-18th-2007, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob C

These comments are disappointing to read! Well, I've already pre-ordered it (along with David Torn's upcoming ECM), so I'll hear for myself soon enough, I guess. I really love this band, so I'll be surprised if I can't find redeeming value.

Yes, very disappointing views so far

Garden of Eden was a bit of a disappointment for me too... would be really sad for this to be a slump.

For long time fans, where would you slot this one? Does this rank at the bottom of the Motian Trio releases?

Maybe this will be a grower.

Ralf Wacker · March-19th-2007, 01:53 PM

Having it since Friday, trying to get into the music of >Time and Time Again<
for several times again and again, i was thinking about myself, whether i still
have bad aftermath from a persistent cold. But i start to think, it's not me,
it's really the music.

I bought it without listening, because of my good experiences with >Garden
of Eden< and >I Have The Room Above Her<. But now i think, this was a mistake.
I can't name exactly, why i don't like it, the best word i find is just >BORING<.

Ralf

+++++++++++++
Today at the player:
Gianluigi Trovesi, Umberto Petrin, Fulvio Maras:
Vaghissimo Ritratto
also a new ECM that just has arrived

Squaredancecalling Steve · March-19th-2007, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianL1

Garden of Eden was a bit of a disappointment for me too... would be really sad for this to be a slump.

I felt the same way about Garden of Eden, and I LOVE I Have the Room Above Her.

jaka · March-19th-2007, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianL1

For long time fans, where would you slot this one? Does this rank at the bottom of the Motian Trio releases?

Of the 16 or so this trio (sometimes "expanded") has put out, I only know 12, but this one's definitely near (if not at) the end of the list.

Rob C · March-19th-2007, 02:23 PM

I reckon I'll be hearing this with such low expectations now that I'll probably end up liking it!

I like Garden of Eden a lot, FWIW.

jaka · March-19th-2007, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob C

I reckon I'll be hearing this with such low expectations now that I'll probably end up liking it!

Smart move.

justinruins · March-19th-2007, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianL1

Yes, very disappointing views so far

Garden of Eden was a bit of a disappointment for me too... would be really sad for this to be a slump.

For long time fans, where would you slot this one? Does this rank at the bottom of the Motian Trio releases?

Maybe this will be a grower.

I don't think Motian's in a slump. Anat Fort's 'A Long Story' is excellent; I really dig her playing and compositional style. And I also really enjoyed 'Frisell/Carter Motian.' Although I haven't heard much Frisell, Carter with Motian truly is a dream rhythm section. And I was just listening to Enrico Rava's 'Tati,' which smokes; Stefano Bollani's playing on it is worth the price of admission alone.

I have 'Garden of Eden' and 'I Have the Room Above Her' in the queue on yourmusic.com, so we'll see. That all being said, I'll be picking up the new Motian trio cd and hoping for the best.

BrianL1 · March-20th-2007, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinruins

I don't think Motian's in a slump. Anat Fort's 'A Long Story' is excellent; I really dig her playing and compositional style. And I also really enjoyed 'Frisell/Carter Motian.' Although I haven't heard much Frisell, Carter with Motian truly is a dream rhythm section. And I was just listening to Enrico Rava's 'Tati,' which smokes; Stefano Bollani's playing on it is worth the price of admission alone.

I have 'Garden of Eden' and 'I Have the Room Above Her' in the queue on yourmusic.com, so we'll see. That all being said, I'll be picking up the new Motian trio cd and hoping for the best.

No question Motian is still going strong.

In terms of his releases as a leader, I really enjoyed the last "On Broadway" disc with Chris Potter on sax and Rebecca Martin on some vocal tracks. (That was a Winter&Winter release, recorded after "Garden" I believe).

"Garden of Eden" was OK, but for whatever reason seemed to lack some of the vibrancy of the preceding EBBB releases on W&W.

I'll be getting the new trio as well in any case.

funkydrummer272000 · March-22nd-2007, 04:42 PM

I just picked up this album and, having listened to it a couple times, it's one of my favorites the trio has put out. It's definitely on the quieter side, but I think the band has always sounded best on the softer, melodic songs - my favorite Motian album/song is It Should've Happened a Long Time Ago.

It's definitely worth checking out!

bigtiny · March-23rd-2007, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek Taylor

I’m in the process of trying to write this one up. I actually like it, but agree that it’s not nearly as impressive as I Have the Room… It’s been interesting A/B-ing it w/ ONE TIME OUT, the Trio’s first record on Soul Note, and noting the differences, esp. w/ regards to Frisell. He really has buttoned things up over the past few years & I miss the guy who was such a maverick on albums like NEWS FOR LULU and FULTON STREET MAUL. There are edges to be found here, but they’re often swaddled in production gauze and the overall restraint on display is sometimes discouraging.

Hmmmm....wasn't the guitarist on Fulton Street Maul either Gary Lucas or Nels Cline? I didn't remember it being Frisell....am I wrong?

bigtiny

Rob C · March-23rd-2007, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigtiny

Hmmmm....wasn't the guitarist on Fulton Street Maul either Gary Lucas or Nels Cline? I didn't remember it being Frisell....am I wrong?

bigtiny

It's Frisell and that is a great record!

Vince Kargatis · March-23rd-2007, 03:08 PM

Gary Lucas produced it, Keith.

justinruins · March-25th-2007, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob C

It's Frisell and that is a great record!

Damin it! I nearly had an orgasm for the second I was led to believe that Motian and Lucas recorded together. Gary is the man!

BrianL1 · April-7th-2007, 11:45 AM

A review link:

http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/3485

Rob C · April-11th-2007, 11:13 AM

Haven't had time to really absorb this yet, but I do like it so far, even if it hasn't grabbed me as hard as some of their other records have done.

"K.T." is one beautiful track!

BrianL1 · April-17th-2007, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob C

Haven't had time to really absorb this yet, but I do like it so far, even if it hasn't grabbed me as hard as some of their other records have done.

"K.T." is one beautiful track!

Got my copy today. Expectations were a bit low based on some of the previous comments earlier in this thread, but after one listen I'm liking the disc.

EDIT: Multiple listens later... Definitely liking this. I think this is a safe purchase for most fans of the trio. Playing by all is really strong.

Favorite track: “In Remembrance of Things Past”

guy · April-17th-2007, 11:23 PM

I admit I was initially disappointed, but it's grown on me quite a bit. If you like this trio's sound and approach then you will probably enjoy it.

Guy

andybleaden · April-18th-2007, 11:11 AM

I have to agree with Guy. Not too over impressed with his music to start with but all of his LPs have grown on me. This is no exception.

If in doubt....clear the room...turn up the volume just a little and appreciate fine music recorded well

Dr Dave · April-27th-2007, 03:17 PM

Just heard a bit of a radio interview with Motian, talking about playing with Monk in the way long ago:

Terry Gross: Did Monk ever give you any advice?

Motian: No.

Terry Gross: He didn't ever tell you how he wanted something played?

Motian: No. He didn't say a lot. Although one time we got off the bandstand and I said to him "I think I may have rushed the tempo a little on one of the tunes." And he said to me "If I hit you upside your head you won't rush!" So I was very careful after that.

guy · April-27th-2007, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

Just heard a bit of a radio interview with Motian, talking about playing with Monk in the way long ago:

Terry Gross: Did Monk ever give you any advice?

Motian: No.

Terry Gross: He didn't ever tell you how he wanted something played?

Motian: No. He didn't say a lot. Although one time we got off the bandstand and I said to him "I think I may have rushed the tempo a little on one of the tunes." And he said to me "If I hit you upside your head you won't rush!" So I was very careful after that.

I remember hearing that interview last year and being annoyed that Gross wouldn't stop asking Motian about his time with Bill Evans. As if he hasn't done anything else...

Guy

BrianL1 · April-29th-2007, 10:21 PM

I read on another forum that amazon has a short video of the trio with interviews... Enjoy...

http://www.amazon.com/Time-Again-Pau...d=K2YGE32NKKVE

stonemonkts · June-22nd-2007, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob C

I like Garden of Eden a lot, FWIW.

Me too.

It's been playing and all the while I have been trying to remember what I put in the CD changer last night...so I didn't know what it was, but I know I've been enjoying it. I like the double sax sound, and just find the music very relaxing overall.

The music doesn't rouse or even grab me very much, but sometimes I like to just chill to something nice, and this fits the bill.

BrianL1 · January-5th-2009, 09:11 PM

Found a nice NPR webcast of the Motian Trio from the Village Vanguard, from Sept 2008, here:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...oryId=94206624

(Would be nice to see an ECM live release from this trio at some point)