David Friesen, Jeannie Hoffman - The Spirit Of Christmas (1992)

The history of jazz has been to a large degree a history of assimilations and loans from source pools that are not jazz. The key issue is how well and in what manners these influences are managed. Jeannie, David and Jerry have invested the familiar and not so familiar with a fresh dimension without abusing the integrity of the inherent material - making possible new discoveries, surprises, and revelations - integral to the jazz idiom. A caring, sharing ethic pervades the whole of this bountiful gift enunciated elegantly and sincerely through the heartful, deeply personal music. "The Spirit of Christmas" is just simply a rare treasure to be savored and refilled year after year after year. ~ Extract by Dr. Herb Wong, Liner Notes. 

Burnside Records, BCD 0009-2, 1992
Recorded 13th,14th April, 1992 at Sound Impressions, Milwaukie, Oregon 

Musicians:
David Friesen - Hemage Bass, Arranger (#12)
Jeannie Hoffman - Piano [Yamaha Grand], Vocals, Arranger (#8)
Jerry Hahn - Electric Guitar (#1,2,4,7,9,11,13) 

Tracks:
01. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town {J. Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie} (4:21)
02. Waiting For You At Christmas Time {Jeannie Hoffman} (3:31)
03. Bach Minuet {Johann Sebastian Bach} (2:29)
04. Glory Halleluia {Traditional} (5:42)
05. O Come All Ye Faithful {Traditional} (2:21)
06. It's Christmas Time Again {Scarlatti, Hoffman} (3:01)
07. Silent Night {Traditional} (3:12)
08. Christopher Robin Is Saying His Prayers {Harold Fraser-Simson, Alan Milne} (2:40)
09. The Little Drummer Boy {Kath Kennicott Davis, Henry Onorati, Harry Simeone} (5:07)
10. O Holy Night {Traditional} (4:15)
11. Sentimental 'Round Christmas {Jeannie Hoffman} (3:40)
12. Joy To The World {Traditional} (2:04)
13. Heirlooms {Bob Farrell, Brown Bannister, Amy Grant} (4:33)
14. Bach And Us {Traditional} (2:55)
15. What Child Is This? {Traditional} (4:16) 

All songs arranged by David & Jeannie other than as indicated. 

Total Time: 54:07 

Credits:
Producer - David Friesen
Executive Producer - Dan MacLeod, Terry Currier
Engineer - Bob Stark
Photography - Hiroshi Iwaya
Graphic Design - Steve Blackburn
Liner Notes - Dr. Herb Wong [KJAZ Radio, San Francisco]

David Friesen - Other Times - Other Places (1989) [CD]

This album is a much-overlooked album by the master bassist David Friesen; featuring Denny Zeitlin, Phil Dwyer, Alan Jones, Airto and Flora Purim. The interplay between Denny Zeitlin is quite magical, highlighted on both "Song For My Family" and "Years Though Time". In many ways the album showcases the amazing saxophone skills of Phil Dwyer. It is an exploration of his ability to work seamlessly alongside Friesen and add depth of scale to Friesen’s variant and elusive compositions. Listen to "Tyrone's Dedication", "Father's Delight", "Our 25th Year", "Childhood Walk" and "Above And Beyond" for clarification. Both Alan Jones’ and Airto’s contributions render a solid backing to the majority of the tracks and Flora Purim’s vocals add a distinctive fusion-styled interest to "Festival Dance" and "Song For My Daughter". As always Friesen's bass sets the mood. His dynamically ranging sound is heard across a broad range of self-penned tunes, sharing one with Alan Jones. This album requires a few listens to truly appreciate its value, enjoy! 

Global Pacific Records, R2 79300, 1989
Bellaphon Records, 660·52·001, 1989
Recorded 1989 At Ark Studios, Tigard, Oregon 

Musicians:
David Friesen - Bass [Oregon Bass], Acoustic Bass, Synthesizers
[Emulator I I, Roland Jupiter - 6, Yamaha K X 88 Midi Keyboard Controller]
Phil Dwyer - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone
Denny Zeitlin - Piano [Acoustic] (#5,8)
Alan Jones - Drums, Electronic Drums [Roland Octapad And Synth Bass] (#2)
Airto Moreira - Percussion
Flora Purim - Vocals (#1,3) 

Tracks:
01. Festival Dance {David Friesen} (4:07)
02. Tyrone's Dedication {Alan Jones, David Friesen} (3:43)
03. Song For My Daughter {David Friesen} (2:04)
04. Father's Delight {David Friesen} (3:15)
05. Song For My Family {David Friesen} (6:33)
06. Our 25th Year {David Friesen} (3:58)
07. Childhood Walk {David Friesen} (4:04)
08. Years Though Time {David Friesen} (4:18)
09. Above And Beyound {David Friesen} (4:27)
10. Song For My Sons {David Friesen} (3:04) 

Total Time: 39:33 

Credits:
Producer, Mixing - David Friesen
Producer, Engineer, Mixing - Jeff Johnson
Executive-Producer - Barklie Henry, Howard Morris, Howard Sapper
Mastering [Digital] - David Mitson, Joe Gastwirt
Photography - Hiroshi Iwaya

David Friesen & John Stowell - Other Mansions (1980) [vinyl>flac]

Bassist David Friesen teams up with guitarist John Stowell in one of their many successful jazz duo endeavors on this classic Inner City re-release, featuring eight original songs by Friesen.

David Friesen has been widely hailed - and rightly so - for his abilities as a bassist. His command of the instrument puts him in a class with few others (check out the harmonics he gets), but what makes Friesen’s music unique is his heart. All of his music has purpose; there are no flashy solos for solo’s sake. Friesen is at once an awesome instrumentalist, a master storyteller and perceptive ensemble player.

Other Mansions teams Friesen with guitarist John Stowell, who has played on all of Friesen’s previous albums except Color Pool (Muse 5109), which was recorded before they met. Their constantly expanding common language has matured here, not only because of the cumulative nature of experience, but also because this is their first strictly duo outing.

Friesen and Stowell have a complementary empathy which gives the music a band sound that is the envy of many a larger group. What makes this possible - and beautiful - is their mutual respect for one another and a willingness to use structures as foundations without allowing those structures to become barriers. They don’t worry about stepping on each other’s toes, because they are thoughtful about every step they take. There is an ongoing sense of give and take.

They are in a class with few others in that their music projects their personalities forcefully without their personalities forcing the music. [This music] will be inspirational to anyone with an open ear and an open heart. ~ Extracts from Liner Notes by W. Patrick Hinely, February, 1980.

Inner City Records, IC 1086, 1980

Recorded November, 1979 at Producer's Studio, Eugene, Oregon

Personnel:

David Friesen - Acoustic Bass, Bamboo Flute, Bell Tree, Tabla Bass, Piano, Percussion

John Stowell - 6 String and 12 String Guitars, Mandolin, African Thumb Piano, Marimba, Percussion

Track Listing:

A1. Trilogy (7:02)

A2. Roof Tops (4:18)

A3. Tomorrow's Dream (5:33)

A4. My Soul Shall Weep In Secret Places (2:59)

B1. Other Mansions (6:14)

B2. All That Has Breath And Life (4:15)

B3. Bretheren Ascending (4:05)

B4. Land Of The Living (5:36)

All Compositions by David Friesen

Credits:

Producer - David Friesen

Recording Engineer - Steve Diamond

Bass Pickup - Don Underwood

Album Design - Suzanne Hill

Cover Photographs, Liner Notes - W. Patrick Hineley

David Friesen - Other Times-Other Places (1989) [vinyl>flac]

The main reason to acquire this Global Pacific release is for the fine playing of Canadian saxophonist Phil Dwyer, who is heard on tenor and soprano. Otherwise, the music has its moments, particularly the interplay between pianist Denny Zeitlin and bassist David Friesen, and there are two vocals by Flora Purim, but the overall results are not all that memorable. Many of Friesen's dates as a leader tend to be on the sleepy and introspective side, fitting into the genre usually championed by Global Pacific but making the music less interesting than hoped for by jazz fans. ~ Scott Yanow, AMG.

This LP is a much overlooked album by the master bassist David Friesen; featuring Denny Zeitlin, Phil Dwyer, Alan Jones, Airto and Flora Purim. The interplay between Denny Zeitlin is quite magical, highlighted on both Song For My Family and Years Though Time. In many ways the album showcases the amazing saxophone skills of Phil Dwyer. It is an exploration of his ability to work seamlessly alongside Friesen and add depth of scale to Friesen’s variant and elusive compositions. Listen to Tyrone's Dedication, Father's Delight, Our 25th Year, Childhood Walk and Above And Beyond for clarification. Both Alan Jones’ and Airto’s contributions render a solid backing to the majority of the tracks and Flora Purim’s vocals add a distinctive fusion-styled interest to Festival Dance and Song For My Daughter. As always Friesen’s bass sets the mood. His dynamically ranging sound is heard across a broad range of self penned tunes, sharing one with Alan Jones. This LP requires a few listens to truly appreciate its value, something which Scott Yanow may have overlooked in his underrated review.

Global Pacific Records, OZ 45245, 1989

Personnel:

David Friesen - Bass, Acoustic Bass, Keyboards, Mixing, Synthesizer

Phil Dwyer - Soprano & Tenor Saxophones

Denny Zeitlin - Piano

Alan Jones - Drums, Percussion, Synthesizer Bass

Airto Moreira - Percussion

Flora Purim - Vocals (#A1,A3)

Track Listing:

A1. Festival Dance {David Friesen} (4:06)

A2. Tyrone's Dedication {David Friesen, Alan Jones} (3:43)

A3. Song For My Daughter {David Friesen} (2:04)

A4. Father's Delight {David Friesen} (3:14)

A5. Song For My Family {David Friesen} (6:30)

B1. Our 25th Year {David Friesen} (3:58)

B2. Childhood Walk {David Friesen} (4:04)

B3. Years Though Time {David Friesen} (4:18)

B4. Above And Beyond {David Friesen} (4:26)

B5. Song For My Son {David Friesen} (3:04)

Credits:

Producer - David Friesen, Jeff Johnson

Executive Producer - Howard Sapper, Howard Morris, Barklie Henry

Mastering - David Mitson, Joe Gastwirt

Photography - Hiroshi Iwaya

Ted Curson & Company - Jubilant Power (1976) [vinyl>flac]

This post is a tribute to Ted Curson who passed away early this month. RIP

Jubilant Power gives listeners an excellent sampling of the musical talents of Ted Curson. A versatile trumpeter who can play from straight ahead bop to free improvisations and anything in between, Ted Curson originally found some fame working with Charles Mingues in 1960. Jubilant Power, one of his finest recordings, was made 16 years later and has some of the type of inside/outside music that Curson made with Mingus. Curson is joined in a top-knotch sextet by baritonist Nick Brignola, altoist Chris Woods and either Andy LaVerne or Jim McNeely on piano and the result is adventurous hard-swinging music that clearly inspired all of the musicians. ~ Scott Yanow, AMG.

Slashing, dynamite exchanges, and an intense approach make this the Curson to grab. ~ Ron Wynn, AMG.

Inner City, IC 1017, 1976

Side A recorded 16th October, 1976 Live at Ethical Society in Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Side B recorded 17th October, 1976 at Downtown Sound, New York City

Track Listing:

A1. Reava's Waltz {Ted Curson} (11:54)

A2. Ted's Tempo {Ted Curson} (8:54)

B1. Song Of The Lonely One [aka Ode To Booker Ervin] {Ted Curson} (7:33)

B2. Airi's Tune {Ted Curson} (6:15)

B3. Searching For The Blues {Ted Curson} (6:35)

B4. Marjo {Ted Curson} (5:41)

Personnel:

Ted Curson - Trumpet, Piccolo Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Cowbell

Chris Woods - Flute, Alto Saxophone

Nick Brignola - Saxcello, Baritone Saxophone

Andy LaVerne - Piano (Side A)

Jim McNeely - Piano (Side B)

David Friesen - Bass

Steve McCall - Drums (Side A)

Bob Merigliano - Drums (Side B)

Sam Jacobs - Conga

Ted Curson's Jubilant Power shows the modern jazz trumpeter in prime condition, very influenced by a stint with Charles Mingus, and exhorting his large ensemble to play music indicative of the title. This recording combines two live concert sessions from autumn of 1976 done on consecutive nights, the first in his native Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square, and the second at Downtown Sound in New York City. Curson assembled a dynamic and exuberant band with the baritone saxophonist Nick Brignola and saxophonist/flutist Chris Woods, bassist David Friesen, conga player Sam Jacobs, an exchange of pianists and drummers for each night, and different compositions. Side A has two tunes from the Philly sessions with AACM drumkit juggernaut Steve McCall and pianist Andy LaVerne in tow, making for a presence that gives the band a forceful persona. The hot free bop "Reava's Waltz" showcases Curson's post Lee Morgan/Freddie Hubbard sound with an edge perfectly, especially during his solid solo as the horns chime in on occasion. "Ted's Tempo" is a modal to hard bop scorcher, fluent, risky, but built like a brick wall. The four tracks from Side B in N.Y.C. have Jim McNeely on the 88s and Bob Merigliano playing drums, offering a generally softer focus. The straight ballad "Marjo" borrows from "Sophisticated Lady," while the midtempo "Song of the Lonely" has Friesen's emotionally drenched bass saturating the quote-riddled trumpeter, who most specifically channels the changes of "What's New?." The upbeat numbers include a popping Latin chart "Airi's Tune" with a rich horn accord, while the definitive "Searchin' the Blues" is straight out of the Mingus bag with its delightfully entertaining, spontaneous, quirky speed-ups and settled slow-downs in the melody. Because Ted Curson produced far too few recordings, and because the band is excellent, this has to rank as one of his best efforts, his modern jazz still sounding vital and fresh. ~ Michael G. Nastos, Allmusic.com.