DeJohnette Trio Dazzles At Boulder Theatre
Frisell, Jerome Harris Shine on a Night of Experimental Jazz
The greats rarely return to being sidemen after they’ve made it. In Bill Frisell's case, he didn't mind so much considering he was working for legendary drummer and pianist, Jack DeJohnette. In support of DeJohnette’s latest recording, The Elephant Sleeps, But Still Remembers, DeJohnette's trio embarked on a low-key national tour.
The Elephant Tour Visits Boulder
Jerome Harris joined the renowned drummer and guitarist in what was a night filled with experimental cartoon sounds, an ode to South Africa, a little Coltrane and even a surprise cover of Cripple Creek with DeJohnette on vocals. Each musician’s voice shaped the writhing sonic monster that had the Boulder Theatre audience gasping in their seats. Whether it was DeJohnette’s thundering toms or electronic triggers or Frisell’s ethereal loops, no one was left unmoved.
Dozens of local musicians leaned forward as they tried to decipher the time signature of an obscure polyrhythmic Miles Davis composition. Halfway through the set, Dejohnette moved to the grand piano, where he played a masterful rendition of After the Rain that was so gorgeous it hurt. DeJohnette’s own Garden of Chew Man Chew featured Frisell on banjo and had the audience glossy eyed and introspective amidst tintinnabulation and Harris’ rumbling drone.
Nobody anticipated the encore and when DeJohnette belted out the first line of The Band’s classic song, Cripple Creek, some just couldn’t contain a few hoots and hollers from escaping. The trio stayed true to the form of the original and when it was over, there was an infectious positive vibration floating throughout the room.
As the room cleared out, There was the unmistakable feeling that everyone had witnessed something special. The band sat behind several tables near the front door signing autographs for their lauding fans. Some admirers brought cds, magazines and even instruments. It was a fantastic night of music, with something for every ear.
The Elephant Sleeps But Still Remembers: Album Review
Elephant was born in 2001 during a DeJohnette and Frisell set at Earshot Festival. The duo returned later, with the help of Ben Surman (who produced, added basslines, synth and some vocals) to add various parts and effects in the studio.
There are plenty of jaw-dropping moments on Elephant, but there are even more subtle gems. The title track takes on a creepy feel as DeJohnette sets up a listing groove behind Frisell's dark landscape of loops and chunky chords. They build to a quasi blues climax where Frisell toys with the pentatonic scale.
Cat and Mouse and One Tooth Shuffle are purely experimental. Frisell scratches the strings and probes the atonal bowels of a six-string banjo while DeJohnette works with clappers, rattles and bells. The Garden of Chew Man Chew is a mesmerizing duet between banjo and bells. They never lose the haunting pentatonic melody, drenched in reverb, that suggests a far east landscape.
Through the Warphole is celestial and frantic. Guitars scream at light speed and howl in reverse, creating a vortex that swallows you whole, while the electronic drum pads sound like an artificial heart ready to explode. The interaction between DeJohnette's robust piano playing on the rumbling Storm Clouds and Mist is nicely complemented by a eyelash-thin guitar that trembles in the background.
The standout track is Ode To South Africa, where the two musicians sound like they've been hired to provide the soundtrack to a safari. Frisell's monstrously expansive solo has the wonder and respect that both a traveler and a native must have upon seeing the savannah. The infectious ostinato progression that begins halfway through the piece is punctuated by the Surman's deep baritone hums in the background.
the elephant sleeps but still remembers
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