# CD review: Bill Frisell and Thomas Morgan – Epistrophy 2019: Video, CD cover

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2019/03/10/cd-review-bill-frisell-and-thomas-morgan-epistrophy-2019-video-cd-cover/
- Published: 2019-03-10T11:55:57+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**Like their acclaimed ECM release Small Town of 2017 – which The Guardian called“
wistful and mesmerizing … tonally ingenious and haunting” – Epistrophy by guitarist
Bill Frisell and bassist Thomas Morgan was recorded at New York City’s Village Vanguard.**

The new album once again captures the rare empathy these two players achieve together
in this intimate environment. There are further poetic takes on pieces from the 
duo’s beloved Americana songbook (“All in Fun,” “Red River Valley,” “Save the Last
Dance for Me”), as well as another intense version of a composition by Paul Motian(“
Mumbo Jumbo”), an artist whom both the guitarist and bassist knew well. Frisell 
and Morgan communicate the essence of Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life” and the Frank
Sinatra hit “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning,” so much so that the famous 
words seem to hang in the air even without a singer. At the center of the album 
is a pair of pieces by Thelonious Monk: the funky, angular “Epistrophy” and the 
ruminative ballad “Pannonica.” And as with “Goldfinger” on Small Town, Frisell and
Morgan offer a glowing duo interpretation of a melody-rich John Barry title tune
from a James Bond film – “You Only Live Twice”. The heart of Epistrophy belongs 
to Thelonious Monk, with the title track and the ballad “Pannonica,” tunes Frisell
calls “magical.” The cover painting – by the late Charles Cajori, part of the second
generation of Abstract Expressionists – is also titled Epistrophy.

 1.  All In Fun 8:36
 2.  Wildwood Flower, Save The Last Day 9:36
 3.  Mumbo Jumbo 8:03
 4.  You Only Live Twice 8:10
 5.  Lush Life 4:37
 6.  Epistrophy 7:27
 7.  Pannonica 7:07
 8.  Red River Valley 8:10
 9.  In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning 6:55

Label: ECM Records ECM 2626

**Bill Frisell electric guitar**
 **Thomas Morgan double bass**

![Картинки по запросу Bill Frisell & Thomas Morgan - Epistrophy](
https://i0.wp.com/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/711v%2ByTvulL._SY355_.
jpg?resize=640%2C640&ssl=1)

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