like rain whispers mist

Seconds


Tim Berne - alto saxophone
Chris Speed - tenor saxophone & clarinet
Michael Formanek - contrabass
Jim Black - drums


Total time: 132:38

There were numerous historical releases that warrant attention this year. For myself, I define historical release as that coming to light from beyond roughly a decade in original or compilation form. Thus Tim Berne's Bloodcount release Seconds barely qualifies. Just as it has been somewhere around a decade since this was recorded live, it has been nearly a decade since I bought the desert island-esque Unwound set from a Border's Books & Music of all places (recipes and all) and first fell in love this band.

I'm not sure why I picked it up back then (as with a lot of my purchases then), but just as Live At The It Club was my first Monk, Unwound was my first foray into what many consider modern avant-garde jazz. Seconds is not necessarily on the same level as that set (maybe just in sentimentality?), but it is pretty damn close for my ears. If you don't know Bloodcount, check out this fantastic post over at Steve Smith's Night After Night here (do it even if you do, it's a great post).


The package here is two discs of music played by the band listed above along with an a hour-long cinema verité documentary titled Eyenoises...The Paris Movie 1994 directed by Susanna Schonberg featuring the fifth original member of Bloodcount Marc Ducret.

Video wise, it's an interesting view of the band especially if you don't have the oppurtuinty to ever see them in person. A lot of personality comes through that only heightens what you hear. Music wise, this can sound a little unwieldy, freewheeling, atonal, melodic, and whatever other adjective you want to throw at the wall - but it holds up. Berne and Speed are natural sounding foils with skittish tendencies but drawn to form as well. Listen to "Mr. Johnson" for the range these guys can run in one tune. Music like this is best heard, writers and reviews can provide context and vague metaphors, but it is simply best listened too to understand it (as it should be).

You can hear the album or a particular tune below by double clicking on a song title. You can visit Tim Berne here which is also his store front. Pick up a copy of Seconds straight from the source at Screwgun Records here. You have to respect the level of Berne's involvement in his own business. A lot like a visual artist has to be, he is seemingly involved top to bottom including the emails.

Do the sounds sound good to you?

Labels: Listening Session, Musicians A - G