Acoustic Ladyland

[ejp626]

I was wondering if anyone, aside from Bev, had heard of Acoustic Ladyland (or Polar Bear which is pretty much the same group) and this new CD in particular. I've just started listening to radio again, and even there basically internet radio or podcasts. But BBC Radio 3 has been terrific about broadcasting big chunks of the 2005 London Jazz Fest, so I'm listening to that. Anyway, during a break, they played a cut off Last Chance Disco, which was hard driving fusion. Terrific. I'm going to have to get this CD, and try to see them live. Anyone else have opinions? They don't seem to have made it into the US with only imports on Amazon.

[ejp626]

Just as a follow-up, very surprisingly (to me), it appears all the Acoustic Ladyland and Polar Bear records are available on emusic, which is a low-cost way to find out about this group (compared to nearly a $30 import).

[sidewinder]

They did a short 'spot' on Jools Holland's 'Later' TV show a couple of months back - unfortunately it was a bit on the short side and they seemed a bit 'fazed' by the big occasion. Their spot at the Bath Fest was good though. Leading lights of the band are Pete Wareham and Seb Rochford - all members are also part of the F-IRE Collective. Definite punk influence to the music and its presentation.

Edited November 20, 2005 by sidewinder

[Alexander Hawkins]

I've got to be honest - I thought they were dreadful on Jools Holland. The whole concept seemed completely unadventurous. There was no effort to make punked-out Hendrix (was it Hendrix? I forget now the tune they played) idomatic to their ensemble. Rather, they played pretty much the same dots a guitar band would have played, apparently hoping that the harminc fuzz of a bari would pull off the effect of heavy distortion, that a funny keyboard sound would fill out the middle of the sound, and that manic drum fills from time to time would enthral the punters...

I was underwhelmed, and more than a little angry. These guys get A LOT of the gigs around, under the banner of being 'cutting edge'. Seems to me when they play like they did that night they dilute the music in a similar (if sonically different) way to the 'jazz-lite' of Messrs Cullum, Melua, Jones etc. It's just pandering as far as I'm concerned.

That said (yes, it was bitter and vitriolic, sorry..!) - Pete Wareham and Seb Rochford are extremely fine players I think. For example, Wareham toured with Sam Rivers' band earlier in the year, and more than held his own, playing some really interesting solos (on tenor, IIRC). He's got a sound, and when he's on, he's ON. Seb Rochford likewise has got a lot more to him than punking-out on various tunes. I saw him on a Polar Bear gig (with Wareham and Ingrid Laubruck), and he was phenomenal.

So - I really like the players in the right context, but I can't say I think Acoustic Ladyland is anything more than a gimmick. Polar Bear I think is a better showcase, but still I'd want something more adventurous for them.

[Rosco]

Their latest CD is basically an indie/ punk band with saxophone solos. I have to admit to finding it (occasionally) an exciting collision- fission more than fusion- and I'll also admit that there are times when it all feels a little lumpen. The Jools appearance was admittedly one of those moments. The album can be a lot of fun though.

I certainly wouldn't lump them in with the likes of Jamie Cullum. If they have any contemporaries it would be The Bad Plus, Medeski Martin & Wood or the Esbjorn Svensson Trio, all bands who can take the visceral elements rock and use it to fuel jazz based improvisation. Maybe none of those bands are truly 'cutting edge' but they are opening a lot of ears particularly on the rock side of the divide. Does that automatically amount to pandering? Maybe, maybe not. Us jazz guys have been having that argument since round about the time of the Charles Lloyd Quartet and it still seems as though anything even remotely aimed at a rock audience is viewed as a 'sell out'. I would say that the band seem to be genuinely interested in indie and guitar music, rather than merely attempting to create a gimmick.

I would thoroughly recommend the band's first album, Camouflage, recorded as an all-acoustic line-up and playing (thinly disguised) Hendrix tunes. Clever, edgy, entertaining and brilliantly played. Can't help but wish they had done more in that vein. But I'm not begrudging their time in the spotlight.

[Alexander Hawkins]

I certainly wouldn't lump them in with the likes of Jamie Cullum. If they have any contemporaries it would be The Bad Plus, Medeski Martin & Wood or the Esbjorn Svensson Trio, all bands who can take the visceral elements rock and use it to fuel jazz based improvisation. Maybe none of those bands are truly 'cutting edge' but they are opening a lot of ears particularly on the rock side of the divide. Does that automatically amount to pandering? Maybe, maybe not.

...

I would thoroughly recommend the band's first album, Camouflage, recorded as an all-acoustic line-up and playing (thinly disguised) Hendrix tunes. Clever, edgy, entertaining and brilliantly played. Can't help but wish they had done more in that vein. But I'm not begrudging their time in the spotlight.

←

OK, maybe I was a little unfair with that comparison...I just feel that they dilute the punk, and they dilute the jazz, and don't as a result don't have a full-strength end product. But I'll certainly try to have another listen to Camouflage and reassess!

[Rosco]

←

OK, maybe I was a little unfair with that comparison...I just feel that they dilute the punk, and they dilute the jazz, and don't as a result don't have a full-strength end product. But I'll certainly try to have another listen to Camouflage and reassess!

←

[Alexander Hawkins]

There may be something to that although that doesn't mean it shouldn't be attempted.

Certainly true! I'll give Camouflage another try.

[A Lark Ascending]

I have mixed feelings about 'Last Chance Disco.' The tunes are too short, too punky for me to fully enjoy; like others I prefer the earlier disc. But I can get the odd buzz from it.

To be honest, I don't think the band are seeing themselves as a jazz band anymore; they're enjoying having fun in the 'indie' area of rock. The guys all play in other, much more jazz-like, bands so I imagine they've decided to use AL as an outlet for their rockier tastes.

I've seen them a couple of times - early in 2004 in a superb concert when they were still doing the extended tunes; earlier this year when it was the 'Last Chance Disco' approach. The latter was fun in the context of a festival but I'm not sure I'd have been so satisfied if it was the whole meal!

Polar Bear suit me better, anyway. And if you want something really interesting from the F-IRE stable try Ingrid Laubrock's 'Forensic.'

There's an excellent F-IRE 2CD compilation just come out called 'Works: Volume 2." Gives a good impression of the breadth of the collective.

Even if you don't like their music you've got to admire the spirit of these people - rather than whine about how little attention jazz is getting they've pooled their resources and gone out there and got it. They've taken the model of the famous collectives of the past and adapted it to the new century.

I'm very much looking forward to hearing the F-IRE big band on record - the two concerts I saw in the spring were very different, both excellent. Amazing how the concept evolved over a month.

[sidewinder]

I saw Ingrid Laubrook's Quintet recently and thoroughly enjoyed it. Second the positive comments on 'Forensic' - the tunes from this are worth checking out. First half of the show was a trio showing her Brazilian side. Second half of the show was the quintet. And big kudos to her for enthusiastically touring the UK with this and the F-IRE Collective shows, 100% commitment to getting the music out there.

[A Lark Ascending]

If you get the chance to see 'Nois', sidewinder, don't hesitate. Vocalist Monica Vasconcelos and Ingrid plus guitar and percussion playing delicious Brazilian music. Very different from her own current band (though her first CD had more of the Brazilian about it, a much lighter affair than the abstract 'Forensic.'

One of my favourite current UK players...definately my favourite current UK player from Germany!

[ejp626]

Bev,

I just ordered the F-IRE Works #2 for a good price, and am looking forward to checking that out. I appreciate that the reviews of Last Chance Disco are mixed. I was just so taken with the second track, Om Konz, that I thought I would spread the word a bit. It is quite possible that I would like Polar Bear better overall.

Eric

[sidewinder]

If you get the chance to see 'Nois', sidewinder, don't hesitate. Vocalist Monica Vasconcelos and Ingrid plus guitar and percussion playing delicious Brazilian music. Very different from her own current band (though her first CD had more of the Brazilian about it, a much lighter affair than the abstract 'Forensic.'

One of my favourite current UK players...definately my favourite current UK player from Germany!

I'll keep an eye open !

She definitely has a German accent but probably qualifies as 'British' I guess having been here since about 1989 !

[JohnS]

I can't say that I know much about Polar Bear and Accoustic Ladyland. However we were lucky enough to get Seb Rochford to play in the town with Andrea Vicari's trio a short while back. He's a fine jazz drummer and one the quietest and most unassuming people you could meet.

[A Lark Ascending]

Bev,

I just ordered the F-IRE Works #2 for a good price, and am looking forward to checking that out. I appreciate that the reviews of Last Chance Disco are mixed. I was just so taken with the second track, Om Konz, that I thought I would spread the word a bit. It is quite possible that I would like Polar Bear better overall.

Eric

I'm not trying to put 'Last Chance Disco' down in any way. It's just not what I really look for in a record - I prefer longer tracks. In the right mood, I enjoy it. I'd imagine ears differently attuned would find it a hoot from start to finish.

I've just got in from a gig by 'Partisans' - Phil Robson, Julian Siegel, Gene Calderazzo, Thad Kelly. Not exactly F-IRE members but slightly older associates. Absolutely superb band in blazing form. Imagine jazz-rock without the plodding beat; instead the ever shifting time of a jazz group. Their 2005 CD 'Max' is marvellous.

[Rosco]

I've just got in from a gig by 'Partisans' - ... Their 2005 CD 'Max' is marvellous.

I've been meaning to check their CD out... I'll try and give it a listen this week