I've Been Ringing You - CD

ENGLISH

There has been a tendency to see musicians in a certain light based on their involvement in a single project or ensemble. Most musicians, especially in jazz, have varied musical interests and personalities. Their value should be judged on how well they navigate these various channels.<br /> <br /> Dave King has been lauded as the firebrand drummer and co-composer behind the groundbreaking Bad Plus trio. His interest in various musical styles and situations has found him active in contemporary jazz, rock, electronic music and progressive improvisation based ensembles. But for all his divergent interests, King has remained a student and practitioner in the jazz drumming tradition.<br /> <br /> On his new Sunnyside record I've Been Ringing You, King realized his desire to create a modern jazz recording using straight ahead and avant-garde tendencies built off of the jazz tradition he has held so dear. He also wanted to create a modern record that enlisted some well-known, Midwestern musicians who are at an internationally recognized talent level. In doing so, the drummer brought together a trio of tremendous pedigree.<br /> <br /> On piano, King enlisted the talents of the great Bill Carrothers, a long time collaborator and friend. Carrothers has been recognized as a prodigy, critical favorite and true inheritor of the jazz piano tradition established by Bill Evans. The pianist suggested Minneapolis based bassist Billy Peterson to round out the trio. Peterson has been most well known for some time as an underground legend and also held the distinction of being recruited for Bill Evans's trio, a position he relinquished to Marc Johnson because of the hectic touring schedule. Peterson was featured on Carrothers's After Hours release that garnered a French Grammy.<br /> <br /> Though he had played with Carrothers many times, this was the first time that King had ever played with Peterson. There was no rehearsal and the first note heard on "If I Should Lose You" was the first these men had ever played together. The triumvirate quickly achieved a group interplay that only seasoned musicians could attain.<br /> <br /> The trio recorded the session in one four hour period at a rented church in Minnesota with the assistance of the talented engineer Matt Lindquist. The acoustics capture the warmth, varied dynamics and expressivity of each player.<br /> <br /> King wanted to create a recording of dark, moody standards that echoed the period of the great jazz piano trios like those of Bill Evans and Paul Bley. He also wanted to be able to record some of his favorite ballads from the American Songbook in homage to the jazz tradition.<br /> <br /> An air of meditation introduced by a ringing cymbal and sustained piano greets listeners on the opener, "Goodbye" by Gordon Jenkins. Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman" gets a sparse but buoyant treatment as the trio plays around the tune, sounding reminiscent of Paul Motian's arrangements. "So In Love" by Cole Porter shows the trio in a more conventional light but with a touchingly playful feel. Peter De Rose's "Autumn Serenade" emanates hues of blue with a forlorn pace.<br /> <br /> The program continues with Ralph Rainger's "If I Should Lose You," a mysterious bass and drum led piece with wafting piano chords shining through. Two Rodgers and Hammerstein pieces, "People Will Say We're In Love" and "This Nearly Was Mine," show the contrasting sides of the trio with a bouncy, swinging arrangement for the former and a subdued rhapsody for the latter. The program concludes with the group improvisation, "I've Been Ringing You," a somber, confessional ballad of haunting beauty.<br /> <br /> After recording a one-man-band duet album, and an Americana inspired collection with his Trucking Company ensemble, King wanted to provide listeners with another glimpse of his musicianship. I've Been Ringing You should prove to be an ear opening experience for his dedicated fans who've yet to hear this facet of King's musical personality.