Search - Rutherford, Vandermark, Van Der Schyff :: Hoxha

Conversations in Oregon

John C. Graham | toronto, ontario Canada | 03/30/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Recorded live in Portland, Oregon on December 12, 2004 by Dylan van der Schyff who happens to be the drummer in the band. Torsten Muller plays the bass, Ken Vandermark plays tenor sax and clarinet, and the remarkable Paul Rutherford plays trombone. I believe the group was put together for the late Mr. Rutherford's North American tour/appearances at that time.



There are six tunes on the recording with a total time of close to 65 minutes. The sound quality is very good. All the instruments are heard in fine detail. The stereo imaging puts you front row and centre, the ideal location for concert seating.



The music is quite interesting in that the four players all bring their own unique perspective to it. It's an improvised set that allows everyone the freedom to participate as they see fit. There is a flow or momentum to the pieces, part of the organic creative musical process. It's all extremely fascinating. Rutherford is the journeyman here and he is/was a brilliant player/listener. Vandermark is on the money as well. He has adapted well to this sort of musical challenge. With Brotzmann he flexes his muscle. With Rutherford he backs off to fully examine his line and form, offering feathery nuanced lower register clarinet whispers, for example, that would be lost in the terrain of Brotzmann's tentet.



Van der Schyff and Muller play this music like seasoned veterans, listening and responding to everything around them. They add greatly to the success of the set, especially considering that it was a one time grouping. That being said, there is an inherent excitment to a situation where anything can happen, especially if it happens well. This is one of those times.

"