Studio/Live/Birds and Blades Evan Parker Artist

In 2002, the rage for free expression was readily apparent in this pair of gigs between bassist {|Barry Guy|} and saxophonist {|Evan Parker|}. Made of up two discs, this set represents two days' work by the duo. The first is a studio date under {|Guy... Read more

In 2002, the rage for free expression was readily apparent in this pair of gigs between bassist {|Barry Guy|} and saxophonist {|Evan Parker|}. Made of up two discs, this set represents two days' work by the duo. The first is a studio date under {|Guy|}'s mantle, on which the pair engage in seven wildly different {|improvisations|}. As {|Guy|}'s sense of situation and tension is one of the very best in the world, he opens up a road for {|Parker|} tonally and dynamically. Using his fingers, a bow, his palms, and anything else at his disposal, {|Guy|} charges into a kind of tonal inquiry that requires force. {|Parker|}, on soprano, takes the rough stuff and runs with it. On the latter disc, the duo plays live and the four {|improvs|} here are left by {|Parker|}, who plays both tenor and soprano. These pieces are a bit more speculative in origin, but quickly get to the place where the fire meets the sky. This is an exhilarating pair that, together, practices a kind of {|poetry|} of the infinite in their explorations. Far from difficult to listen to; if anything, this is so compelling one will want to repeat it. ~ Thom Jurek Less