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Given the impressive size of his back catalogue (measured both in depth and breadth), it is easy to approach a new Evan Parker album with trepidation. This reaction is understandable; it seems almost natural to expect that after decades of output, an artist or band must begin churning out steaming turds -- with age it all comes undone, or something like that. So then Mr. Parker's forty-odd (fifty?) year tenure should make him an octogenarian, or at least someone who you would not like to see behind an automobile. Yet Whitstable Solo, along with Evan Parker's other recent releases -- like Relevance, out this year with Dave Liebman and Tony Bianco, on Red Toucan --, stand up alongside the classics in this free jazz elder statesman's discography.
Psi records (see comments section for historical details) has made a name for itself (partly) by reissuing old and out of print free improv records, many on which Parker played. Whitstable Solo, on the other hand, is a collection of eight songs performed in 2008 at Whistable, UK -- seven of which were live and in front of an audience, while the remaining track was squeaked out before the crowd had arrived.
The jams start in typical Parker fashion, with a cyclic squall of soprano sax nonsense lasting nearly twenty minutes. This is definitive Parker, pioneered way back on Saxophone Solos, and now, to my ears, one of the most easily recognizable styles in jazz. The haze brought on by Parker's relentless upper register recedes in the midsections of this album, revealing a tender and uncharacteristically gossamer sound. The sixth solo is, dare I say, almost melodic! But purist shouldn't fret, for Evan Parker's shrill saxophone reemerges in the final two tracks, obliterating any lingering sense that this gent is softening.
Each passage may have antecedent within Parker's own catalogue. In the solo setting, it may be too much to expect truly unique and new material; however, in collaboration, Evan is still redefining the boundaries of his instrument (see 2009's C-Section, with John Wiese). Even so, this album is a delight; I would love as many "derivative" solo albums from Evan Parker as possible.
9 comments:
What is the purpose of these posts without links .
for almost six months now we've had a policy of not posting links for new and/or in print albums. there have been some exceptions, but do not expect any download links for any albums released this year (unless they are available for free).
jazzme, you can get it if you want. For stuff that is OOP, we'll post the link. I don't want my site constantly being threatened to be taken down.
PS.
There are plenty of people, including artists, that are happy with the site. If you're not, or if you just want to leech, I'm not at all concerned with pleasing you. I am 100% satisfied with all the writers. Also, traffic is fine, so more and more people seem to agree with me on that point.
I highly recommend Process & Reality, I think it's the best Evan Parker solo - altough I haven't heard this one. Yet. :)
Ohh, man, that anonymus is me, I forgot to choose an identity. My bad :)
errata: Incus was run by Derek Bailey and Evan Parker (and very briefly Tony Oxley). It is now run by Karen Brookman (Bailey’s widow). Psi is Evan Parker’s label established some time after he left Incus around 1987. Psi has the rights to Evan’s projects that appeared on Incus, just as Incus has the rights to Derek’s projects.
Can't wait to see your new postings on tumblr. Your writings on music are extraordinary and informative and your music choices are unusual and genre varied. Came upon your blog long ago and visited often since. Thanks for all the time U spend and for the sharing you do.
red lipstick
I see , that's fine , I had problems as well and was taken down . I started a new blog with Canadian only content and the rest of my uploaded non Canadian stuff
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