AND ONLY LIFE MY LUSH LAMENT
Taylor ho Bynum, trumpet, flugelhorn, pocket trumpet
Eric Rosenthal, percussion, slide whistle
Not since Kondo & Lovens duet "The
Last Supper" has anyone tried a brass and drums duet that I know of unless you
count Ross Rabin and Tom Djll’s duo in the early to mid eighties but they had a huge
range with extensive use of electronics and other implements. The reason is the sheer
nakedness of the trumpet. Nowhere to hide. Your tone is exposed to the whole world. Sax
players can use split-tones, multiphonics and the velocity of ten fingers racing up and
down the horn plus circular breathing. The trumpet’s forte is the terse comment, the
slurred note, the humorous aside, the insightful line. And though it doesn’t egg on
the drummer the way a saxophone can, if you find the right drummer like Eric Rosenthal who
is equally witty and sparse with his own phrasing, the results are rather like a fine
cooling mist spray on a blazing summer day. Refreshing. What these two have done is take
nine standards such as My Favorite Things, Mood Indigo, Lush Life and Niama and
perform a wry take on each one. I found the best way to listen is causally, in a relaxed
mode as familiar melodies drift past in snippets. You could listen closely and carefully
and this recording stands up quite well but how many improvised recordings are a real
pleasure without that kind of effort. This has a surreal quality to it. Its not about
difficult listening or mega-chops. Bynum certainly has range on his horn but he favors the
middle register where the tone is fat and earthy. Rosenthal doesn’t try to keep the
tunes together but adds a depth of nuance and humor to the proceedings. All and all a very
relaxed and together outing that is both unique and comfortable which is all too rare in
improvised music.
Joee Conroy
This CD is available from:
Sachimay Records
www.SachimayRecords.com
or Eric Rosenthal (617)522-2900