John Abercrombie Quartet: 39 Steps
Author: Andy Robson
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Musicians: |
Joey Baron (d) |
Label: |
ECM |
Magazine Review Date: |
Dec/Jan/2013/2014 |
Catalogue Number: |
2334 3742710 |
RecordDate: |
April 2013 |
Abercrombie's blithe, gossamer textured guitar work may not obviously evoke the movies of cockney master Hitchcock, but the guitar man name-checks no less than four Hitch classics: Vertigo, Shadow Of A Doubt, Spellbound and of course the title track. But don't expect Bernard Hermann, Hitchcock's most famed musical collaborator. Where that composer brought neurotic yearning to Vertigo, Abercrombie offers lyrical yet mysterious riffing around Copland's one note intro; ‘Spellbound’ is a bluesy, enigmatic meditation, all hanging chords and urgent bass. ‘Shadow Of A Doubt’ is even freer: doubts and shadows stalk blind alleys. But if the Hitch/Abercrombie combo is a surprise, less suspenseful is the partnership with Copland. Copland's ECM debut is gorgeous yet understated, his and Abercrombie's chordings supplely entwining, as on the joyous ‘Another Ralph's’ or on the smileful re-imagining of ‘Melancholy Baby’. Another quiet masterpiece from the ever under rated Abercrombie, but Copland's contribution is massive.

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