Bill Frisell With Dave Holland and Elvin Jones
(Nonesuch)Sometimes it can be downright maddening listening to guitarist Bill Frisell. His achingly reticent and deliberate style creates unbearable tension as the listener waits, often in vain, for him to ratchet up the tension and explode into a barrage of searing, fractious blue notes. Well, Frisell has finally met his match. And then some. His latest for intellectual indie Nonesuch is a session that teams Frisell with a pair of certified jazz titans, who altogether can only be described as the ultimate “power trio.” Drummer Elvin Jones may be best known for his groundbreaking, explosively polyrhythmic innovations as a member of John Coltrane’s incomparable Sixties quartet, but he also owns those slow, pulsating tempos of which Frisell is so fond. Jones and bassist extraordinaire Dave Holland are assertive enough, however, to nudge the guitarist into gear once in a while with inspired results. Frisell’s penchant for American roots stylings is still present here, particularly on the tracks where he plays acoustic, although it’s not the predominant factor as on much of his recent work. Instead, the fluid underpinnings of Holland and Jones provide an unmistakable jazz feel upon which the guitarist loosens up considerably. It’s still a treat to hear Frisell in his acoustic roots mode, especially with this fearsome rhythm section simmering beneath him. Yet it’s the album’s extended tracks that generate the most combustion as Frisell allows his uniquely sonorous explorations to blossom in the heat. It’s a shame this is probably a one-shot, studio project. This kind of off-center endeavor would do well to evolve over time. At least we have this gem to savor in the meantime.
This article appears in November 9 • 2001.