Dreamstruck

As pianist Marilyn Crispell’s career advances her command of improvisation and composition deepens. Known for her heightened playing with the likes of Gerry Hemingway and Anthony Braxton, she has refined her style in this century so that it’s as much inside as it is outside. During the past few years she has also hit upon the perfect companions for this transition: bassist Joe Fonda and drummer Harvey Sorgen. Although busy with other ensembles, especially bands with Michael Jefrey Stevens, both found time to record WIth Grace in Mind. Besides providing dramatic and powerful support, Fonda is also a canny composer, with four of the tunes his, three by Crispell, three group compositions and one taken up a rumbling and thumping but unshowy drum solo.

The finest instance of the mature Crispell style comes on the extended “GS #2.” Zesty and intense it features the pianist pushing the flows and eddies in her playing into a responsive and reflective theme statement. Furious but not frenetic, it’s sympathetically seconded by drum rim shots and side taps and sluicing and popping bass work.

Without downplaying Crispell’s writing skills, it’s Fonda’s compositions which bring out the best in all three players while showcasing intriguing melodies. Besides writing “GS #2” his sprightly “For Ornette” and more expressive “We All Make Mistakes” help define the disc. “For Ornette” plays Coleman’s lopes as trio members engage in a game of musical catch and release with the theme as it passes passing through swift stops from Fonda, Sorgen’s press rolls and eventually double counterpoint between bassist and pianist before she restates the head at the end. The latter is treated with expressive gentleness as Crispell’s light fingers elaborate on the melody with Fonda’s responsive countermelody conveyed with arco sweeps. In contrast Crispell’s writing as expressed on pieces like the concluding “Gary’s Tune” and elsewhere always contain an element of rushing pressure and responsive intensity even when she’s involved with paced and quiet story telling. Specifically this program outlines how this well-balanced trio realizes the grace in its title with gravity and grit.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. A Moment in the Shade 2. For Ornette 3. MGJ 4. We All Make Mistakes 5. Drums(s) 6. With Grace In Mind 7. Transits 8. Midnight 9. GS #2 10. Speak Up 11. Gary’s Tune

Personnel: Marilyn Crispell (piano); Joe Fonda (bass) and Harvey Sorgen (drums)