With an interesting quartet consisting of Gregory Tardy (saxophone, bass clarinet), Gerald Clayton (piano) and Jonathan Blake (drums) and himself, guitarist Bill Frisell releases the album Four. Although the foursome consists of four excellent instrumentalists, it is Frisell's compositions around which this album revolves. It begins with lovely clarinet tones (Dear Old Friend), but seeks tension as
… early as the second track (Claude Utley). Frisell's themes are sometimes almost accessible and simple as if they were instrumental pop songs, but also flirt with dissonance, as in Blues From Before. Either way, in the hands of this quartet, these pieces grow into serious chamber music. Although each song is well thought out and performed with great skill, the album has quite a few slow, lingering pieces. The light, upbeat Good Dog Happy Man (indeed, it takes no effort to visualize a happily wagging dog) is therefore a welcome change. (JV)more
