Ist schon eine knappe Woche her. Ich wurde nach Mitternacht wach, und statt mich auf die andere Seite zu drehen, oder die wirren Fäden eines Traums zusammen zu fügen, legte ich die beiden Cds des Doppelalbums MAGICO – CARTA DE AMOR auf, die an diesem Freitag erstmals erscheinende Aufnahme des Trios Garbarek – Gismonti – Haden aus dem Amerikahaus, München, 1981. Allein im Haus, verzichtete ich auf die Sittsamkeit der Zimmerlautstärke und liess die Musik so laut erschallen, wie sie damals wohl glücklichen Hörern zu Ohren gekommen sein muss. 31 (!!) Jahre liegen zwischen damals und heute, ohne dass irgendwas an diesem Mitschnitt gediegen, in die Jahre gekommen oder sonstwie museal erscheint. Auch die beliebte Rede von „feinem kammermusikalischem Jazz“ oder „weltmusikalischem Horizont“ straft die Intensität dieser Musik Lügen. Selbst wer die zwei Studioaufnahmen des Trios, MAGICO umd FOLK SONGS, kennt, wird hier aus der Verblüffung kaum heraus finden. Und eine Live-Aufnahme aus dem Jahre 1981 kann, denke ich, kaum besser klingen. Und, in dieser Nacht vor eimer knappen Woche, hatte ich echte Probleme, wieder einschlafen zu können.
1. Carta de Amor 07:25
2. La Pasionaria 16:26
3. Cego Aderaldo 09:51
4. Folk Song 08:10
5. Don Quixote 08:25
6. Spor 14:01
1. Branquinho 07:37
2. All That Is Beautiful 15:35
3. Palhaço 09:13
4. Two Folk Songs 03:40
5. Carta de Amor, var. 07:35
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Discussion on allaboutjazz:
Michael Engelbrecht wrote (see John Kelman’s review at www.allaboutjazz.com): This is purely „magico“. I listened to it some nights ago, very late in the night, and I could afford to play it loud, on a great sound system. 31 years old, and it sounds fantastic! How do you call it: „world chamber jazz“? Doesn’t matter. This music is so relaxed and intense at the same time, my goodness! How can one bury such a treasure for such a long time! Well, John, old companero of Kristiansand, my enthusiasm for this live document might even surpass your surprisingly cool praise:)
John Kelman wrote: I wouldn’t say my praise is cool…I love the disc….I just don’t get particularly effusive, rat her, I describe the music and let readers make up their own minds.But you are absolutely correct; this is magical stuff, and I can only hope there’s more archival material that might see the light of day from ECM. Am in Heidelberg now, and will be at Manfred’s evening as part of Enjoy Jazz on November 3, so we’ll see then,perhaps.In the meantime, glad we agree on this one…. :) Cheers!John
Henning Bolte wrote: I’d say: Jan is the magic piper here … (although it’s out of past)
John Kelman wrote: Hey Henning!Yes, Garbarek’s playing here truly stands out….but I really do think this was an inspired combination, across the board…. Cheers! John
Michael Engelbrecht wrote: This is such a great year for ECM: CARTA DE AMOR, Tim Berne’s SNAKEOIL, the „sleeping“ Jarrett album, John Surman‘ best solo album ever, SALTASH BELLS, Eivind Aarset’s forthcoming album DREAM LOGIC (a silent „killer“; tonight, in my German radio show, I played two pieces of DREAM LOGIC, framing Brian Eno’s new ambient work LUX – these two records replace a good trance session at your hypnotherapist, deep, deep music…) the list could go on for a while even leaving out ECM’s NEW SERIES. There is one really boring ECM album, easy listening without any profoundness, and that is, well, Manu Katche’s work, a hugely overrated composer, and here the cliche of „coffee shop jazz“ becomes reality. on the other hand, who wants to drink his caffe latte while hearing Coltrane’s MEDITATIONS!?:)
John Kelman wrote: Well, I agree with you Michael..almost.; I like the Katché. Doesn’t break and new ground or shatter any rules, but solid grooves and strong playing…..saw ythe group last night (with another trumpeter replacing NPM) and it was actually smokin‘ hot. I think Manu is like Robert Fripp always said about King Crimson: the studio records are love letters, the live ones a hot date :) Cheers from Heidelberg, my friend! – and I’m wearing my Pat Metheny Trio shirt today, by the way :) John
Michael Engelbrecht wrote: I saw Manu Katche in Dortmund some days ago, and, well, our idea of „smokin‘ hot“ may differ a bit. You might ask: why did you go there? The answer is: I thought, mhm , he might be smokin‘ hot live. If that music was smokin‘ hot, then I am a burrning potato:) Ups, a Pat Metheny TShirt. I know you love this guy, I will never understand why. He was great in the 70’s. And early 80’s. He has lost it all over the years. Few exceptions. This solo guitar album, for instance, a year ago. might work in the waiting room of your local dentist. Michael