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Charlie Haden - Nocturne
Gitanes 013611-2
Crotchet  

1. En la Orilla del Mundo (At the End of the World)
2. Noche de Ronda (Night of Wandering)
3. Nocturnal
4. Moonlight (Claro de Luna)
5. Yo sin Ti
6. No Te Empenes Mas (Don't Try Anymore)
7. Transparence
8. El Ciego (The Blind)
9. Nightfall
10. Tres Palabres (Three Words)
11. Contigo en la Distancia (With you in the Distance)/ En Nosotros (In Us)

Charlie Haden - Bass   Gonsalo Rualcaba - Piano Ignacio Berroa - Drums Joe Lavano - Tenor 1,4,7,11   David Sanchez - Tenor 6,10   Pat Metheny - Guitar 2   Frederico Britos Ruiz - Violin 1,5,8
Produced by Charlie Haden

Charlie Haden came to prominence in Ornette Coleman's Band and he has continued to be a conspicuous figure on his chosen instrument the double bass ever since, playing with just about everyone of note in Contemporary Music. I must confess to wondering whether I was the right reviewer for this disk, but that was before I heard it! It really is some of the most pleasing and melodic new music I have heard for some time.

Although none of the themes are familiar, each is a gem and worthy of careful listening. Joe Lovano's Tenor Sax. playing is excellent, strangely enough on this record he sounds very reminiscent of Stan Getz, from both a tonal and phrasing pint of view, although it is not something I have noticed in his playing before. He has always seemed more in the 'super contemporary school' when I have heard him on previous occasions. I am thinking in particular of an appearance with Paul Motian's Group at Birmingham, which I must confess to neither understanding nor liking. His work here is of a quality that has rarely been surpassed, managing to combine high quality melodic improvisation with great freedom of expression. The violin playing of Fredricho Britos Ruiz is also superb, the tone is 'Grappelli', but the improvisations are in a much freer vein. Pat Metheny plays acoustic guitar on track 2, the wistful Noche de Ronda, a classical Mexican Melody.

Apart from two compositions from Charlie Haden, the tunes are Cuban or Mexican each one is relaxed and makes an ideal vehicle for improvisation. This record however is not one in which the participants appear to be in competition, it is quality music, very well played.

I am sure that this music has a much wider appeal than many might think I certainly enjoyed it greatly and hope there is more to come.

Don Mather
Don Mather is a Saxophone Player and Bandleader in Coventry