Cuong Vu - It's Mostly Residual

[Guest bluenote82]

Does any one own this album? I just bought today through ArtistShare and I'm looking forward to hearing it because it's got my hero Bill Frisell on it. What do you guys think of the album?

[Joe G]

Earlier thread

I think it's a beautiful album.

[7/4]

"jazzauthority"?

Anyways...I have a private recording of a Cong Vu gig with Frisell. I have to listen to it, I'll report back.

[Guest bluenote82]

Can anyone comment on this album? Has anyone heard it? I have read reviews on it, but I want to hear an everyday person, like myself, comment on it?

[Joe G]

Can anyone comment on this album? Has anyone heard it? I have read reviews on it, but I want to hear an everyday person, like myself, comment on it?

Earlier thread

I think it's a beautiful album.

Strange thread. Most of the time, people seek opinions before they make a purchase, or start a discussion after they've listened to the music.

Edited March 5, 2008 by Joe G

[Guest bluenote82]

Can anyone comment on this album? Has anyone heard it? I have read reviews on it, but I want to hear an everyday person, like myself, comment on it?

Earlier thread

I think it's a beautiful album.

Strange thread. Most of the time, people seeks opinions before they make a purchase, or start a discussion after they've listened to the music.

Hey, Joe G, the reason I started this thread was to hear people's opinions of it. Joe, I'm a huge Bill Frisell collector, so whether it was good or bad, I had to buy it.

I still would like to hear people's opinions of it though. I heard the clips on Cuong Vu's website, but they don't do do the music any justice. I wanted to hear from somebody who has heard it.

As for this being a strange thread, well I guess could appear that way, but I just wanted some opinions about the recording.

Edited March 5, 2008 by bluenote82

[Joe G]

BTW, based on your expressed opinions about free, fusion, et al., I don't think you're going to like this album that much. There are some tunes with rock rhythms and lots of "free" sections.

edit: could be wrong, though - let us know what you think.

Edited March 5, 2008 by Joe G

[Guest bluenote82]

BTW, based on your expressed opinions about free, fusion, et al., I don't think you're going to like this album that much. There are some tunes with rock rhythms and lots of "free" sections.

Well, Joe, you have to remember one thing. I'm a Bill Frisell collector. I have the entire Naked City box set that came out a couple of years ago, so I don't think I'm going to be hearing anything that I haven't been exposed to already.

But for me, I'll take Cuong Vu's dissonances over John Zorn's anyday. I guess the question would be is the album musical. Did it move you?

Edited March 5, 2008 by bluenote82

[Joe G]

It's Bill Frisell in 'classic' mode, so there you go. If you click through to the linked thread, you will see there what I posted about the concert (sans Frisell), which pretty much sums up what I feel/think about Vu's music.

[Guest bluenote82]

edit: could be wrong, though - let us know what you think.

I will certainly let you know and to be honest I guess you can say I do enjoy some of the free stuff, because I loved those Paul Motian albums with Frisell on them. I guess one reason what makes many of those albums so good is the harmonic support Frisell has during the sessions. You know he kind of keeps the foundation a bit more grounded. It also helps when Lovano is playing melodically as well.

I guess what I'm saying here is that free jazz can be melodic right? It doesn't have to be chaotic and dissonant. I have mentioned Tomasz Stanko many times and I really like his music and it's essentially free jazz and I'm referring to his ECM output.

[Guest bluenote82]

I can't believe it's so incredibly hard to get somebody around there to comment on an album. Has anybody else heard this album?

[wordsandsounds]

For listening pleasure...

[Guest bluenote82]

For listening pleasure...

Okay, cool thanks for the link, Wordsandsounds! I appreciate it!

[Guest Bill Barton]

I'm afraid that I can't comment on It's Mostly Residual as I have yet to hear it, but Cuong Vu's new one on artistShare, Vu-Tet, is highly recommended.

The group that recorded It's Mostly Residual recently played in Seattle at The University of Washington and my capsule review of the show is here: The Seattle Jazz Scene.

[marcello]

First, I'm sorry to say, that I don't know much about Cong Vu except that Ted Poor is the drummer, who I know a little.

Secondly bluenote, it would help if you didn't start a thread with a question like " I like Coltrane, how about you?'. It makes you sound like you're really a novice with no real opinion and as such, open to razing. State your specific opinion ( and don't flood tho board with dozens of the same kind of threads) and you'll learn that the people here are very nice and knowledgeable.

Thirdly, there is the old problem with what one types on a keyboard and what they can verbalize in person. We all have this problem. Be prudent in you posts so that you are not misunderstood, and LISTEN.

Lastly, I spent a few minutes with bluenote on Live Chat, and there, he comes across as a sensible person with more knowledge than he comes off here ( don't get cocky, BN!). The bottom line is he really loves this music but maybe his Board etiquette needs some honing.

[connoisseur series500]

Here's my review of Cuong Vu:

I like his music "alot." (Hope I didn't violate any plagiarism laws with that phrase.)

Actually, I'm not familiar with the dude. He's got a Vietnamese name. Interesting.

[Guest bluenote82]

Here's my review of Cuong Vu:

I like his music "alot." (Hope I didn't violate any plagiarism laws with that phrase.)

Actually, I'm not familiar with the dude. He's got a Vietnamese name. Interesting.

Yes, he is a remarkable musician. He plays with the Pat Metheny Group for a couple of years. He has been doing some very interesting things lately.

[RDK]

Haven't heard the album in question, so I can't comment. But I've liked some of his other albums that I've heard.

[relyles]

I suppose no one has actually heard this particular recording, but does anyone know what the personnel is? My primary exposure to Vu has been as a sideperson on a couple of Myra Melford performances I heard. I can't say the little I have heard has made a significant impression on me, but the few posts in this thread about Vu's other recordings and things I have read elsewhere have me at least a tiny bit curious to learn what his music is about.

[Guest bluenote82]

I suppose no one has actually heard this particular recording, but does anyone know what the personnel is? My primary exposure to Vu has been as a sideperson on a couple of Myra Melford performances I heard. I can't say the little I have heard has made a significant impression on me, but the few posts in this thread about Vu's other recordings and things I have read elsewhere have me at least a tiny bit curious to learn what his music is about.

Hey Relyles,

The Cuong Vu album contains the following musicians: Cuong Vu - trumpet, electronics, Stomu Takeishi - bass, Ted Poor - drums, percussion & Bill Frisell - guitar, loops. Very good lineup if I say so myself.

[Joe G]

I suppose no one has actually heard this particular recording, but does anyone know what the personnel is? My primary exposure to Vu has been as a sideperson on a couple of Myra Melford performances I heard. I can't say the little I have heard has made a significant impression on me, but the few posts in this thread about Vu's other recordings and things I have read elsewhere have me at least a tiny bit curious to learn what his music is about.

I replied to the subject matter on the first and second pages. Ted Poor on drums, Bill Frisell on guitar, Stomu Takeishi on ebass.

It's Mostly Residual was, for me, one of the best releases I heard for that year (which admittedly leaves out a hell of a lot). The concert "made a significant impression" on me, for sure. Great band, excellent compositions, unique sound.