eMusic Review 0
With The Whole Tree Gone, Myra Melford has recorded a sad and beautiful album, a sonically rich meditation that poignantly addresses social and animal rights as well as environmental concerns. Melford's current working band, Be Bread, lets the music itself become a political language. It's a testament to their skill how directly these non-lingual voices speak: “Through the Same Gate” features an eloquent clarinet improvisation from Ben Goldberg, with Melford and Wilson providing impassioned support. The pianist's solo is stately and articulate. “Moon Bird,” with its whole tones and stylistic reference to Cecil Taylor's playing could almost be a latter day Ellington portrait. “Night” is dark and brooding; acoustic bass guitarist Stomu Takerishi's setting up a subtly propulsive rocking over a slowly developing theme. The title track, a boppish line, gives everyone a chance to stretch out in fleet, sure-fingered solos.
Trumpet player Cuong Vu asserts himself throughout. He's a unique player who sticks to a bright middle register when using full tone, but frequently moves into a non-pitched, kissing sound during the more aggressive passages. Check out the combination of passion and logic he displays on “On the Lip of Insanity.” “Knocking From the Inside,” an angular line juiced by… read more »
