Conference of the birds

This might be the start of a new series in the blog, focusing on some classic albums (and hereby tagged "The Classic"). A classic here is a record quite often placed in the basement these days, I've played it a lot or just a few times, and it has opened my heart and ears. OK I'm pretty ego oriented, but this stuff will bring joy and happiness to all of you (sorry it's the weekend feeling getting to me). Robert Wyatt's albums will not be represented in this series, since I've already hailed them as classics anyway.

The first choice combine three things I've enjoyed listening to: Jazz, ECM and birds. David Holland Quartet released "Conference of the birds" on ECM in 1973. According to Holland the music is inspired by the birds he heard singing early in the morning "each declaring its freedom in song". The birds probably tried to find a sex partner or were scared to death by some hawk, but that doesn't matter as long as they inspired this music.

The quartet is David Holland (bass), Sam Rivers (sax, fløyte), Anthony Braxton (sax, fløyte) and Barry Altschul (trommer). I was so impressed then (being around 18 years old) and still am. "Conference of the birds" is a real classic.

Hamada

Nils Petter Molvær's new album is called "Hamada" (Sula 2009). You get 10 tunes with quite familiar Molvær music, most of them quiet and beautiful. Only two of the tracks make a bit of aggressive noise ("Friction" and "Cruel Altitude"). The choise of titles like "Monocline", "Anticline" and "Lahar" (do the Googling yourselves), may indicate some geological interest! The title "Hamada", is the name of a desert type.
I've given this advise earlier, and I think it's still good: Buy the new album, and work yourselves backwards in the discography.
Musicians on the album are: Nils Petter Molvær, Audun Kleive, Jan Bang, Eivind Aarset og Audun Erlien.

Skins

Robert Wyatt's "Just as you are" was used in the TV series "Skins". I know nothing about this series, but "Just as you are" is on the soundtrack to (what YouTube call) "Series 3 Episode 6 Part 5 Naomi". See here after around 50 seconds (Embedding disabled).

Katzenjammer

David Byrne invited Norwegian Katzenjammer to his curated stage at Bonnaroo. Even in Bergen we've had sunny weather for a couple of days now, and all this gives me quite a good excuse to post a summer video of the girls of Katzenjammer (yes it does!). Here they are on a boat trip on Trondheim's Nidelven river. "Ain`t no thang". Not so sure about that!

Concerts and festivals (again)

- I've mentioned Moldejazz 2009 (13-18 July) several times, but will add Marianne Faitfull and Maja Ratkje with Joelle Leandre to my concert plans too.
- Circulasione Totale Orchestra are touring again, starting off in Oslo this Wednesday. Hamid Drake (dr) and Per Zanussi (b) replace Pål Nilssen-Love and Ingebrigt Haaker Flaten.
- Check the Oslo Jazzfestival (10 August - 15 August) program. You may hear Antony and the Johnsons on the roof of the Oslo Operahouse. I also mark off Ingebrigt Haaker Flaten and Håkon Kornstad with veteran drummer Jon Christensen!
- Kongsberg Jazzfestival is worth a visit. Fred Frith is coming and Jackie Leven with Norwegian Hardanger fiddle player Knut Buen, might just be the show to visit!
- And this week it's Bergenfest! Artist list here.

Robert Wyatt live!

I just received an e-mail from a friend, that made me jump here in front of the computer! Check out the program for Ornette Coleman's Meltdown, and focus in on Saturday 20 June: "Charlie Haden: Liberation Music Orchestra with guests Carla Bley and Robert Wyatt + The Bad Plus. Royal Festival Hall".

Mary Halvorson Trio

This was just the music I needed right now! Mary Halvorson Trio: "Dragon's Head" (Firehouse 12, 2008). Mary Halvorson (guitar), John Hebert (bass) and Ches Smith (drums) play some mean trio jazz. I see it's filed under Avant Garde (Halvorson worked with Anthony Braxton), but there are no reasons to let that scare you from picking up this album (or "clicking on this album", as they might say these days). Some of the tracks even make me think of John McLaughlin arund "Extrapolation" time, but that might be all my fault. I'll get som more Halvorson albums, no doubt about that. And the trio will be at this summer's Moldejazz too!