John Abercrombie Marc Johnson Peter Erskine - 1989 [2019] "John Abercrombie Marc Johnson Peter Erskine"

John Abercrombie / Marc Johnson / Peter Erskine is a live album by jazz guitarist John Abercrombie with bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Peter Erskine that was recorded in 1988 in Boston and released by ECM Records in 1989.

An excellent trio outing with Abercrombie, inventive bassist Marc Johnson, and careening drummer Peter Erskine. The trio sometimes unite for piercing interpretations as on "Stella By Starlight," and other times collide and interact on furious rhythm dialogues and extended improvisations.

Recorded live at The Nightstage in Boston a long time ago (1988) it may be that venue no longer exists, or if it does, no longer features great jazz. April 21st 1988 would have been one night to have caught this great trio in full flight. Rather than guitar plus support, this programme is very much a collaborative and shared musical experience, especially concerning the impact Mr Erskine does have on the proceedings - the drums are prominent, though never domineering, from the opening track Furs on Ice, and there is even one track Drum Solo in which Mr Erskine demonstrates his skills especially subtley on the bass drum. Four of the tracks are " standards" or "classics" of American popular song made so by interpretations over the years by many greats, including the late great pianist Mr Bill Evans. Indeed, it is not drawing too long a bow to consider this CD a tribute by Mr Abercombie to Mr Evans - please note that bassist Mr Johnson was a former member of the Bill Evans Trio so such a tribute has a special resonance. Some of the tracks swing - Stella by Starlight - some cook - Samurai Hee Haw has a joyous guitar shout by Mr Abercombie - and some are just sheer beauty - Haunted Heart is wrenchingly so. I did not find the guitar synthesiser intrusive or annoying but musically effective in its context. Having listened to this CD a number of times over a decade, I can recommend it as defying the times. It remains a good listening experience.

Wonderful trio album from three beautiful musicians. Abercrombie is in great form. Mainly, all I want to say about this cd is that it is worth the price simply for the closing rendition of "Haunted Heart". Just hauntingly beautiful improvisation and musical interaction captured during live performance. I have only heard a handful of musicians express such raw emotion in this sense - I feel that this performance ranks among the greatest of such expressions.

Despite some negative opinions expressed toward the synth guitar in use on this album, I find that texturally, compositionally and sonically, the synth guitar is used beautifully throughout (guitar synthesis being a path sadly not followed by Abercrombie as time wore on). "Light Beam" in particular is one of the greatest uses of guitar synth i have ever heard. Breathtaking.

This album is quite simply not given the attention it deserves. If you have heard anything about it, or even just heard the samples on this page, buy it. You will not regret it.

Track listing:

01.    "Furs on Ice"    Johnson    7:28
02.    "Stella by Starlight"    Ned Washington, Victor Young    7:34
03.    "Alice in Wonderland"    Sammy Fain, Bob Hilliard    7:22
04.    "Beautiful Love"    Haven Gillespie, Wayne King, Egbert Alstyne, Victor Young    7:55
05.    "Innerplay"    Abercrombie, Erskine, Johnson    5:35
06.    "Light Beam"    Abercrombie    3:08
07.    "Drum Solo"    Erskine    3:00
08.    "Four on One"    Abercrombie    6:03
09.    "Samurai Hee-Haw"    Johnson    8:22
10.    "Haunted Heart"    Howard Dietz, Arthur Schwartz    5:26
Total length:    61:51

Personnel:

    John Abercrombie – guitar, guitar synthesizer
    Marc Johnson – double bass
    Peter Erskine – drums