Jason Moran - Artist in Residence

[md655321]

I absolutely love Moran, and I will definitel get this one as early as I can.

You can check out a track from NPR's 'Song of the Day'

NPR.org, July 31, 2006 · Maybe it's an indication that the initial weirdness of listening to it has worn off, but pianist Jason Moran's scrupulous practice of using pre-recorded dialogue as a guide for etching melodic statements has never sounded as moving as it does on "Artists Ought to Be Writing."

When Moran first demonstrated this approach on 2003's The Bandwagon, the results were jarring and didactic. Again there's an edifying tenor to "Artists Ought to Be Writing," as sampled orator (and performance artist) Adrian Piper uncorks a manifesto urging artists to demystify the esoteric by letting people in on the inspirations, intentions and machinations of their works in hopes of building a more informed audience.

The composition, nevertheless, rewards the listener with emotional magnetism via Moran's elegiac piano work. At first, Moran underscores Piper's androgynous voice with lovely chords; then, he slowly unveils melodic phrases that shadow-dance alongside her rhythmic cadence. Soon, it's easy to discover the inherent musicality of Piper's speech patterns -- and, conversely, the soulfulness in Moran's analytical experimentation. As the sampled voice disappears, Moran continues to build upon Piper's recitation, unraveling a surging and sanguine improvisation.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5591264

[Rooster_Ties]

[.:.impossible]

I wasn't aware he was working on a new one. Is this a trio disc? Surprised to see that Blue Note is retaining any of its musician roster. I meant jazz musician roster.

[JSngry]

  Quote

Maybe it's an indication that the initial weirdness of listening to it has worn off, but pianist Jason Moran's scrupulous practice of using pre-recorded dialogue as a guide for etching melodic statements has never sounded as moving as it does on "Artists Ought to Be Writing."...At first, Moran underscores Piper's androgynous voice with lovely chords; then, he slowly unveils melodic phrases that shadow-dance alongside her rhythmic cadence. Soon, it's easy to discover the inherent musicality of Piper's speech patterns -- and, conversely, the soulfulness in Moran's analytical experimentation. As the sampled voice disappears, Moran continues to build upon Piper's recitation, unraveling a surging and sanguine improvisation.

Geez, everybody's working with rappers nowadays...

[Nate Dorward]

Aha, so that's what the cover looks like. I have one of those crap packagingless advance copies. -- The disc is a mix of quartet performances (Bandwagon + Sewell on guitar) & solo stuff & (most notably) a sextet performance called "RAIN" with Ralph Alessi & Abdou Mboup.

Mixed feelings about the album -- it jumps around a lot from track to track & I wished Moran had made something that felt more satisfying as a whole -- but it's worth hearing.

[kh1958]

He's playing at the Blue Note the week this is released, in a double bill with the Bad Plus.

[md655321]

i hope to catch them. the motian/lovano/frisell trio is also doing a few weeks. quite a trio of trios.

[LWayne]

Jason talked at length about the inspiration for this release during his concert at the Tri-C Jazz Fest. The feeling was that it was going to be more of a compilation of commissioned work versus a themed project.

LWayne

[Eloe Omoe]

  Nate Dorward said:

Mixed feelings about the album -- it jumps around a lot from track to track & I wished Moran had made something that felt more satisfying as a whole -- but it's worth hearing.

Well, Nate, that's what I felt upon a couple of listenings. But I found that this Cd grows on you - it has started sounding as a great record...

luca

[Nate Dorward]

Incidentally re: Piper's "androgynous voice"--despite the male name, as far as I know Piper's a woman (& the voice is unmistakably a woman's).

Yeah the album sounds better (or, to be more honest, "less offputting") the more you spin it. I like some tracks, like the final solo piece, quite a bit. Still, it does seem lightweight & bitty to me (compare, say, something like Simon Nabatov's A Few Incidences, which makes brilliant use of a recording of a Russian actor reading a children's poem in the last track).