The Bad Plus

JazzCat · March-25th-2004, 10:26 PM

Anyone seen them live? I'll be seeing them beginning of April. Good show? Not so good?

Gentle Giant · March-26th-2004, 09:57 AM

I haven't actually heard them but I've read so much about them that they've piqued my interest. However, I'm cautious because the whole vibe around themm feels the same as when Medeski, Martin & Wood came out, and I bought a couple of their CDs, was into them for a couple of months, and then got quickly turned off.

So my question is, Are these guys for real? Are they going to be turning out interesting works 10 years from now?

Chris D · March-26th-2004, 10:02 AM

The pianist, Ethan Iverson, had chops when he was a teen, playing standards at a restaurant.
The group has been together a while; they refined their craft in the relative anonymity of the upper Midwest. I don't think they're a flash in the pan.

Pete C · March-26th-2004, 10:14 AM

"These are the Vistas" didn't especially impress me. I think it's all marketing hype. Not that they're bad or anything.

mke · March-26th-2004, 11:05 AM

I re-listened to Vistas the other day and liked it a lot. Iverson is a really interesting pianist, some of the compositions are good and I enjoy the overall dynamic feel. Sure, there's hype, but without hype you don't sell anything.

HLAW · March-26th-2004, 11:39 AM

As I posted in another thread they are coming to Greensboro in May as part of The Piedmont Jazz Fest.I have both Vistas and Give I like Vistas better Give is really Vistas Part II.They are playing at a small venue at UNC-Greensboro and I've found it easier to get into a gig in a small setting.I'll post a review at the live performance thread later.Peace and all that.

Pete C · March-26th-2004, 11:40 AM

I've also been unimpressed by EST, FWIW.

Fred K · March-26th-2004, 11:49 AM

I saw them live last year and they were very good. They are all excellent musicians and really have little to do with the "jam band" concept. They do get more of a "rock" sound at times but so do Jason Moran and Brad Mehldau, so they certainly aren't alone in what they are doing. The hype is unfortunte, but if it helps them make some money, good for them. Dave King is especially impressive in a live setting, but Ethan is a fine pianist as well and Reid Anderson is the best composer of the group. I wouldn't hesitate the see them live again.

mke · March-26th-2004, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete C

I've also been unimpressed by EST, FWIW.

EST is okay. I prefer the less effete Bad Plus.

JazzCat · March-27th-2004, 12:23 PM

I think the hype just comes with signing onto a big label.

me wag · March-27th-2004, 01:15 PM

The Bad Plus are just being themselves. Hype or no hype. They seem to me like a bunch of over-achieving under achievers. Garage jazz, punk jazz, pop jazz, it sounds awful good to me.

Nate Dorward · March-27th-2004, 01:50 PM

Iverson's a good player--I don't know the Bad Plus stuff, but The Minor Passions is a pretty remarkable trio disc (same band but with Billy Hart on drums)--the doomy version of "All the Things You Are" called "Neon" is great stuff. Besides the big label push, I don't get the connection with EST, which was by comparison pretty lightweight stuff I thought, to judge by the little I've heard.

mke · March-27th-2004, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate Dorward

Besides the big label push, I don't get the connection with EST, which was by comparison pretty lightweight stuff I thought, to judge by the little I've heard.

Indeed, they're quite different. EST is glossier, colder and more hi-fi. Apparently they're quite energetic live, but the one time I saw them was rather flat.

gnhrtg · March-27th-2004, 04:59 PM

Based on an hour-long webcast on BBC I heard last year, I think they're so and so. That performance didn't provide me with enough enthusiasm to check out "Vistas" despite the fact that amazon had it for around 12 euros. Listening to them once was enjoyable enough, though I also think it was sufficient for quite some time to come - might have been their choice of repertoire.

mke - so the time was flat innit, not they, or their playing. Sorry, but I think I'll beat you for the least mature poster ribbon.

Salvador Dali Lama · March-27th-2004, 05:27 PM

I saw them live last year... good show, I'd go check them out again. I think they're a little overrated, but a great band nonetheless.

me wag · March-28th-2004, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate Dorward

Iverson's a good player--I don't know the Bad Plus stuff, but The Minor Passions is a pretty remarkable trio disc

Iverson's Construction Zone and Deconstruction Zone are some of my favorite piano trio discs from the last couple years, as well. I'll have to check out The Minor Passions.

Jazzzoline · April-26th-2004, 10:55 PM

I've seen them last year. they seriously impressed me. nothing to do with their cds in my opinion. don't miss them if you have the chance to see them.

sashabur · April-27th-2004, 04:17 AM

I've seen them last year at a festival in Tampere, they were fun to listen to. But later I listened to the "Vistas" CD and was somewhat disappointed, because their concert program appeared to be exactly the same. I'm afraid even the jokes that Iverson tells when announcing their tunes are being repeated over an over, from concert to concert.

steve(thelil) · April-27th-2004, 07:53 AM

I've seen them live (and sat near them to watch Mehldau, who they seem tight with). They are a very good and interesting trio, with a bombastic and often rock-ish drummer, which can get a little old at times, even with an acoustic group.

JazzCat · April-27th-2004, 07:04 PM

After seeing them and owning two of the CD's, I can say that they are on my Top 5 list at least. I find the drums really different, although i do understand how they can get old after a while. Dave King's (drums) other band, Happy Apple, is even more rock, but fun as well. I hope they stick around, they sound great. I will be seeing them on the 7th with MMW, and once again in Montreal this summer. Should be fun.