MEDESKI, MARTIN AND WOOD + NELS CLINE
''WOODSTOCK SESSIONS, VOL. 2''
APRIL 15 2014
63:23
**********
01 - Doors of Deception 02:14
02 - Bonjour Beze 11:28
03 - Mezcal 05:09
04 - Los Blank 14:22
05 - Jade 04:04
06 - Looters 10:41
07 - Conebranch 02:04
08 - Arm & Leg 08:12
09 - Cinders 05:05
All Tracks By John Medeski, Nels Cline, Chris Wood, Billy Martin
**********
Nels Cline - guitar
John Medeski - keyboards
Chris Wood - bass
Billy Martin - drums
**********
REVIEW/AMG
Sean Westergaard
Medeski, Martin & Wood have always played well with others. They did a string of great records in collaboration with John Scofield, and many of their albums have had invited guests; DJ Logic was practically an adjunct member for a while, and they even play on an Iggy Pop album (not exactly Iggy's finest moment, but that's another matter). Nels Cline also plays very well with others. Collaboration and improvisation were his stock in trade since long before he picked up the Wilco gig, and he continues to actively guest and collaborate while leading his own Nels Cline Singers. As good as the albums with Scofield were, Nels Cline is a very different type of player, and his affinity for effects really opens up the possibilities as far as pure sound. Cline can move from spacey ambience to raging leads to swirls of electronic-sounding madness and beyond. Pairing them seems like a great match on paper but it's even better recorded live in a studio with a small invited audience. Perhaps the most amazing thing is just how well Cline fits in with MMW's M.O. They've got a unique group dynamic in that there isn't a leader. They intuitively know when to step forward and when to sit back, each one pushing the dynamic or supporting as needed. Cline's addition is almost beyond seamless. It's as if the music wasn't created by four master musicians or two great bands, but of a single mind. The music is completely improvised but there are certainly times when one wouldn't think so. The longer tunes reveal best how the group operates as each player takes turns introducing ideas, then seeing what develops. Most tracks are more like a journey than a song. Do they hit a few great grooves? Without a doubt. Is the whole album a groovy, danceable jam session? Not by a long shot. These guys are sonic explorers and over the course of the session they go just about everywhere: electronic ambient, soul jazz, rock freakouts, '50s sci-fi, mysterious exotica, and even a little taste of New Orleans. It's not for everyone, but fans of either band should be thrilled, as should anyone interested in well-done experimental music without boundaries.
**********
ABOUT THE ALBUM
www.woodstocksessions.com
Medeski Martin & Wood + Nels Cline came together to perform a show/recording session in front of a live audience on August 27, 2013 at Applehead Studios in Woodstock, NY.
John Medeski’s intro to the audience:
“Michael (from Applehead Studios) and I have been talking about this for over two years now. We’re all trying to figure out what to do in this crazy music business, how to keep things going & above water, how to keep the music real & keep the connection with the audience real.
This is a great space. Beyond just being a recording studio it sounds so good live that we thought we could find a way to play for people here and get something special out of it.
Last year we had the good fortune of working with Nels Cline. We did a run at the Blue Note, where he was a guest artist one night and just blew our minds—not only with what an
incredible musician he is, but also with how well he fit in with us and where he inspired us to journey musically.
When we talked to Nels about recording something, we felt live was the best way. And we started thinking again about this idea of an intimate concert/studio situation that would be a cool experience and fun for everyone. It seemed like the perfect thing to do.
We wanted to play together, record it, and not have to fix everything in the computer.
Sometimes you go into the studio and start thinking too much. It changes everything. It might end up great, but it doesn’t have the same feeling as getting together to improvise and create in the moment for the moment. This is our moment with Nels!”
This recording is a hybrid of a live recording and a studio record. We hope you enjoy it!
**********
TO THE TOP
**********
''WOODSTOCK SESSIONS, VOL. 2''
APRIL 15 2014
63:23
**********
01 - Doors of Deception 02:14
02 - Bonjour Beze 11:28
03 - Mezcal 05:09
04 - Los Blank 14:22
05 - Jade 04:04
06 - Looters 10:41
07 - Conebranch 02:04
08 - Arm & Leg 08:12
09 - Cinders 05:05
All Tracks By John Medeski, Nels Cline, Chris Wood, Billy Martin
**********
Nels Cline - guitar
John Medeski - keyboards
Chris Wood - bass
Billy Martin - drums
**********
REVIEW/AMG
Sean Westergaard
Medeski, Martin & Wood have always played well with others. They did a string of great records in collaboration with John Scofield, and many of their albums have had invited guests; DJ Logic was practically an adjunct member for a while, and they even play on an Iggy Pop album (not exactly Iggy's finest moment, but that's another matter). Nels Cline also plays very well with others. Collaboration and improvisation were his stock in trade since long before he picked up the Wilco gig, and he continues to actively guest and collaborate while leading his own Nels Cline Singers. As good as the albums with Scofield were, Nels Cline is a very different type of player, and his affinity for effects really opens up the possibilities as far as pure sound. Cline can move from spacey ambience to raging leads to swirls of electronic-sounding madness and beyond. Pairing them seems like a great match on paper but it's even better recorded live in a studio with a small invited audience. Perhaps the most amazing thing is just how well Cline fits in with MMW's M.O. They've got a unique group dynamic in that there isn't a leader. They intuitively know when to step forward and when to sit back, each one pushing the dynamic or supporting as needed. Cline's addition is almost beyond seamless. It's as if the music wasn't created by four master musicians or two great bands, but of a single mind. The music is completely improvised but there are certainly times when one wouldn't think so. The longer tunes reveal best how the group operates as each player takes turns introducing ideas, then seeing what develops. Most tracks are more like a journey than a song. Do they hit a few great grooves? Without a doubt. Is the whole album a groovy, danceable jam session? Not by a long shot. These guys are sonic explorers and over the course of the session they go just about everywhere: electronic ambient, soul jazz, rock freakouts, '50s sci-fi, mysterious exotica, and even a little taste of New Orleans. It's not for everyone, but fans of either band should be thrilled, as should anyone interested in well-done experimental music without boundaries.
**********
ABOUT THE ALBUM
www.woodstocksessions.com
Medeski Martin & Wood + Nels Cline came together to perform a show/recording session in front of a live audience on August 27, 2013 at Applehead Studios in Woodstock, NY.
John Medeski’s intro to the audience:
“Michael (from Applehead Studios) and I have been talking about this for over two years now. We’re all trying to figure out what to do in this crazy music business, how to keep things going & above water, how to keep the music real & keep the connection with the audience real.
This is a great space. Beyond just being a recording studio it sounds so good live that we thought we could find a way to play for people here and get something special out of it.
Last year we had the good fortune of working with Nels Cline. We did a run at the Blue Note, where he was a guest artist one night and just blew our minds—not only with what an
incredible musician he is, but also with how well he fit in with us and where he inspired us to journey musically.
When we talked to Nels about recording something, we felt live was the best way. And we started thinking again about this idea of an intimate concert/studio situation that would be a cool experience and fun for everyone. It seemed like the perfect thing to do.
We wanted to play together, record it, and not have to fix everything in the computer.
Sometimes you go into the studio and start thinking too much. It changes everything. It might end up great, but it doesn’t have the same feeling as getting together to improvise and create in the moment for the moment. This is our moment with Nels!”
This recording is a hybrid of a live recording and a studio record. We hope you enjoy it!
**********
TO THE TOP
**********
