Ganelin Trio: Con Affetto

[Steve Reynolds]

recorded 11/20/83

of the 4 Ganelin discs I own (including the penguin awarded crown "Ancora da Capo), this is the prize, IMO

Leo Golden Years GY2 - released in 1999 - not sure if it is available

plus this one *sounds* amazing, unlike some of the others - where fidelity is always an issue here and there

for those who don't know, this was the band that originated Leo records due to Leo Feignin "exporting" Ganelin Trio tapes out of the Soviet Union in the early 80's.

the members of the trio each plays many instruments, however many times it is drums, piano and saxophone - this recording follows the sometimes usual formula - a long improv/instant composition/written composition - and always a combination of everything above) followed by some whort standard or improvised encore - here we get a scintiallting "Mack the Knife" and a couple of 4 or 5 minute improvs

all three are virtuosos as one would expect - my favorite being the pianist, Vyacheslav Ganelin. What is most incredible might be how he plays this basset thing and improvisesd like a magician on the piano at the same time. But there are many amazing aspects to what he does - I just don;t know how or where to start. One aspect of their music is the melodic nature of the music - all of it is imbued with a glorious melodic tinge - and it swings like nothing I have ever heard - harded than anything I have ever heard

but it doesn't swing in a way like anything I've ever heard

"Semplice" is the piece here - 57 and a half minutes of pure bliss - imagine seeing and hearing this LIVE - did anyone here ever seen these guys during the late 70's or ealry 80's?

must have like nothing else

just love how after 30+ minutes of extremely exciting improvisations - mostly collective, the trio goes into an almost post bop mode with alto, piano/basset & drums being played by the trio - it could almost be western jazz for a few minutes - and this is the written part that hits numerous crescendos

and then it goes other places - and maybe that saxophonist is totally untouchable - Chekasin is his name - je has listened to Bird, Dolphy, Lyons and maybe to some other voices most of us could only dream about - and how the hell do they switch from the thems to radical improv to who knows what they are doing?

plus if you've never heard this trio - you have NO IDEA what you are in for - they sound like no other band before or since

someone may know - but didn't they play a reunion concert in the past year or two.

currently Ganelin is playing a casio thing - and it doesn't sound cheesy like one might think - instead it sounds like otherwordly mad beauty - and with his gorgeous piano with it, the bells, the sounds

bottom line - Soviet (Russion might be better to say - I think they are all Russian) version of the Art Ensemble - only absolutely, completely and totally different - but equally great

I've listened to quite a bit of music over the past month or two - almost all old favorites - and nothing has struck me with the intensity of this - even moreso than I remember in the past....

[yardbird]

They did a reunion concert at some bookfair in Germany. I've heard a tape from the concert, and they're still a fascinating group.

I've also read somewhere that they're supposed to do a concert in England some time during winter.

[Steve Reynolds]

up for the pure brilliance of this recording

transcendent

listen, PLEASE>>>>>

[jazzfiend]

ok, Steve, but you gotta grab a copy of Mother Tongue by Rudresh M.

No dilly-dallying!

[Steve Reynolds]

if I was able, I would!

have to also hear "Black Water"

I wanna know what al the fuss us about!

things good, Don? I sure hope so

you are a prize among jazz listeners - love that your love for the music never wanes




peace and blessings

[yardbird]

Ganelin trio is playing London Jazz Festival in a weeks time

[Darryl G. Thomas]

OK Steve, I drank the kool-aid and ordered Con Affetto from the OmniTone. We're talking about the live set in Moscow correct?

Now when I get it is another matter. I remember talking to some cat at Cadence about getting Leo recordings. Apparently they aren't the most dependable. Someone was raving about a Braxton set on Leo i tried to get a couple of months ago. The Cadence guy ordered it but couldn't promise that it'll a show up. I think it may have today. I got an email talking about a UPS package from Cadence. So we'll see.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to Con Affetto. In the past when you've raved about a disc and I've bought it I haven't been disappointed.

[sonic1]

I love this recording, second only to Ancora da Capo.

These guys are just magical. They never lose a moment. They are in the highest performance state from beginning to end of performance, never losing a beat, which in this kind of music (long drawn out improvs) is rare.

[Dan G]

Originally Posted by Darryl G. Thomas

Now when I get it is another matter. I remember talking to some cat at Cadence about getting Leo recordings. Apparently they aren't the most dependable. Someone was raving about a Braxton set on Leo i tried to get a couple of months ago. The Cadence guy ordered it but couldn't promise that it'll a show up. I think it may have today. I got an email talking about a UPS package from Cadence. So we'll see.

who's not dependable - Leo or Cadence? Verge carries Leo, and doesn't seem to have a problem with them.

Cadence doesn't actually deal with Leo any more and is relying on a 3rd party to get them from.

[Darryl G. Thomas]

Dan,

According to Cadence the problem's Leo. The rep I talked to didn't mention a 3rd party.

[D.D.]

You can order Leo Records CDs directly from Leo. The prices are a bt higher, but shipping is just 1GBP regardless of estination and package size. ANd Leo is meticulous when it comes to shipping, so you will get it in no time.

Also, CDUniverse carries a lot of Leo titles (at least GOlden Years series or sure).

As for Genelin Trio, my favorite one is a Con Anima / Concerto Grosso two-fer - the trio's first studio recordings. More focused and less self-indulgent than later ones (I like later ones as well).

There will be a new Ganelin Trio release on Leo later this year.

Ganelin's Trio Allicance (with mighty Visnuaskus on alto) is also excellent, btw.

[Martin]

Originally Posted by D.D.

There will be a new Ganelin Trio release on Leo later this year.

D.D., you know any details about this? The last time I asked Leo about it he told me that the release has been postponed...

[Steve Reynolds]

listening again today - this is a spiritual in the truest sense of the word

stunningly beautiful - the main repeated theme two thirds of the way in followed by the incredible coda

imo - fare exceeds the more celebrated Ancora Da Capo

[Martin]

Originally Posted by Steve Reynolds

imo - fare exceeds the more celebrated Ancora Da Capo

It indeed does, and it exceeds the Semplice studio album which is rather tame in comparison.

[D.D.]

Originally Posted by Steve Reynolds

listening again today - this is a spiritual in the truest sense of the word

stunningly beautiful - the main repeated theme two thirds of the way in followed by the incredible coda

imo - fare exceeds the more celebrated Ancora Da Capo

Does it mean you might even correct the spelling of the album title in the thread head?

[Steve Reynolds]

yeah - I just noticed - I'll e-mail Lois

fwiw - does it effect(sic) the quality of the recording?

[yardbird]

They did a fantastic concert at London Jazz Festival mid november, to me the absolute highlight of the festival in spite of Cecil Taylor, Sam Rivers, Anthony Braxton etc.
It was said, however, that this concert was the trio's swan song. I definitely hope they'll reconsider, because this is still one of the most fascinating groups in jazz.

[Steve Reynolds]

I hope so too

lot of bands/musicians I would love and hear and see one day

but there is no band/group/improvisor that I would love to see and hear live more than the The Ganelin Trio

[lazy]

A very good review mr. Reynolds.
Made me want to listen to this group.
Actually I had the luck to hear Ganelin live a few years ago. I was really "fresh" and didn't understand the music. I sure would like to listen to it today.