Quartet | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1996 | |||
Studio | Möbius Music, San Francisco | |||
Genre | Jazz, post-bop, film soundtrack | |||
Length | 61:36 | |||
Label | Elektra Nonesuch | |||
Producer | Lee Townsend | |||
Bill Frisell chronology | ||||
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Quartet is the eighth album by Bill Frisell to be released on the Elektra Nonesuch label. It was released in 1996 and features performances by Frisell, trumpeter Ron Miles, trombonist Curtis Fowlkes and violinist and tuba player Eyvind Kang. [1] Tracks 1, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 12 are from Tales From the Far Side (1994), an animated television special created by Gary Larson. Tracks 3 and 13 are from the Italian film La scuola (1995) directed by Daniele Luchetti. Tracks 4 and 10 were written for the Buster Keaton film Convict 13 (1920).
The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4 stars, stating, "This CD uses a rather unusual instrumentation, a quartet composed of Frisell, trumpeter Ron Miles, trombonist Curtis Fowlkes and Eyvind Kang, who doubles on violin and tuba. Ten of the 13 Frisell originals on the release were originally written for films (including one for Gary Larson, "Tales from the Far Side," and one for a Buster Keaton movie "Convict 13"), and the resulting music is tightly arranged yet spontaneous, episodic, and sometimes a bit nutty, but also strangely logical. Whether it be the old-timey theme to "Dead Ranch," the blues in "Convict 13," a few somber ballads, or hints at early Duke Ellington (particularly by Miles' wah-wah trumpet), this is a continually interesting, offbeat set." [2]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [2] |
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings | [3] |
All compositions by Bill Frisell except as indicated.
William Richard Frisell is an American jazz guitarist, composer and arranger. Frisell first came to prominence at ECM Records in the 1980s, as both a session player and a leader. He went on to work in a variety of contexts, notably as a participant in the Downtown Scene in New York City where he formed a long working relationship with composer and saxophonist John Zorn. He was also a longtime member of veteran drummer Paul Motian's groups from the early 1980s until 2011. Since the late 1990’s, Frisell's output as a bandleader has also integrated prominent elements of folk, country, rock ‘n’ roll and Americana.
Kermit Driscoll is an American jazz bassist. He is known for his long association with guitarist Bill Frisell.
Wayne Horvitz is an American composer, keyboardist and record producer. He came to prominence in the Downtown scene of 1980s and '90s New York City, where he met his future wife, the singer, songwriter and pianist Robin Holcomb. He is noted for working with John Zorn's Naked City among others. Horvitz has since relocated to the Seattle, Washington area where he has several ongoing groups and has worked as an adjunct professor of composition at Cornish College of the Arts.
Curtis Fowlkes is an American jazz trombonist and singer. He is a founding member of The Jazz Passengers.
The Sweetest Punch is a 1999 album by Bill Frisell, released as a companion to Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach's 1998 album Painted from Memory. Many of the earlier album's songs are featured with new arrangements by Frisell, mostly in instrumental versions.
Eyvindur Y. Kang is an American composer and multi-instrumentalist. His primary instrument is viola, but has also performed on violin, tuba, keyboards and others.
The Story of Iceland is an album of modern chamber music in multiple styles by violinist and multi-instrumentalist Eyvind Kang, accompanied by a large ensemble that includes guitarist Bill Frisell.
Lee Townsend is an American independent music producer, curator, artist manager and co-owner of Songtone, specializing in recordings of singer-songwriters, contemporary composers, improvising musicians, and cross-cultural musical collaborations. He is also a psychotherapist in private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Rambler is the second album by Bill Frisell to be released on the ECM label. It was released in 1985 and features performances by Frisell, trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, tuba player Bob Stewart, bass guitarist Jerome Harris and drummer Paul Motian.
This discography features albums released by guitarist Bill Frisell, released recordings of bands and projects he was/is a member of, and albums on which he appears as guest musician. Labels and dates indicate first release.
This Land is the fifth album by Bill Frisell to be released on the Elektra Nonesuch label. It was released in 1994 and features performances by Frisell, alto saxophonist Billy Drewes, trombonist Curtis Fowlkes, clarinetist Don Byron, bassist Kermit Driscoll and drummer Joey Baron.
Music for the Films of Buster Keaton: Go West is the sixth album by Bill Frisell to be released on the Elektra Nonesuch label. It was released in 1995 and features performances by Frisell, bassist Kermit Driscoll and drummer Joey Baron. The album is designed as accompaniment to the Buster Keaton's silent film classic, Go West (1925), and was released at the same time as another album of Keaton soundtracks by Frisell, The High Sign/One Week (1995).
Blues Dream is the 13th album by Bill Frisell to be released on the Elektra Nonesuch label. It was released in 2001 and features performances by Frisell, steel guitarist Greg Leisz, trumpeter Ron Miles, alto saxophonist Billy Drewes, trombonist Curtis Fowlkes, bassist David Piltch and drummer Kenny Wollesen. The cover photograph was taken by George A. Tice in 1974 at Kresson Road, Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Unspeakable is a 2004 album by American jazz guitarist Bill Frisell, his 22nd album overall and his 17th to be released on the Elektra Nonesuch label.
Richter 858 is a 2005 studio album by American jazz guitarist Bill Frisell consisting of improvised music inspired by the paintings of German artist Gerhard Richter.
Ron Miles was an American jazz trumpeter, cornetist, and composer. He recorded for the labels Prolific (1986), Capri (1990), and Gramavision.
History, Mystery is the 20th album by Bill Frisell to be released on the Elektra Nonesuch label. It was released in 2008.
Big Sur is an album by Bill Frisell which was released on the OKeh label in 2013.
Floratone II is the second album by the collective Floratone, which comprises guitarist Bill Frisell, drummer Matt Chamberlain along with producers Lee Townsend and Tucker Martine which was released on the Savoy label in 2012.
Sign of Life: Music for 858 Quartet is an album by Bill Frisell which was released on the Savoy label in 2011. The album features the same lineup that played on Frisell's 2005 album, Richter 858.