Bill Frisell was in quiet, beautiful
mode which is always a good thing. But the key functions of this
group were turned over to the vocalizing of Petra Haden, Hank Roberts
(also on cello) and Luke Bergman (also playing guitar.) Soloing was
at a minimum. Roberts took one or two, I don't believe Frisell took
one at all, mostly laying down lush accompaniment via his Telecaster
and his array of magic boxes, leaning towards his country and folk influences, along with his taste or 60's pop songs.
Not to discount her own considerable talents, but in this context, Haden is not only
channeling the legacy of her jazz legend father, but also that of her
grandparents who led a popular family singing group (including young
Charlie) in the early days of radio with songs like Red River Valley, done here a cappella.
This was applied to a first rate
selection of songs – among them Stephen Foster's Hard Times, Lush
Life by Billy Strayhorn, the Skeeter Davis hit The End of the World,
On the Street Where You Live from My Fair Lady, David
Bowie's Space Oddity (you know that any show that segues from Red
River Valley into Space Oddity is right on in my book,) and the
encore of Shenandoah, not only a folk standard, but a favorite of
Frisell's idol and teacher Johnny Smith.
And
despite living in and around Cambridge, Massachusetts for more than thirty
years now, I believe this is the first time I've been led in a
sing-along of We Shall Overcome.
