DISC OF THE DAY – BILL FRISELL & – SMALL TOWN (ECM 2017)

Bill Frisell is one of the most prolific guitar players around… his catalog is really huge like his tone is unique.
His love for movies and soundtracks is legendary, as well: Ennio Morricone and Nino Rota’s music was recently covered…  Buster Keaton’s silent movies were one of his interests in the past… now…

Goldfinger!

Yes, folks…
The 2-records-set, recorded live at Village Vanguard in NYC on March 2014 is a truly wonderful recording and music to par…
The double-bass is very precise and surprisingly classical, yet finely matching with Bill’s guitar and the four sides spin pleasantly… but…
… the last track, on the fourth side is the a.m. Goldfinger, the James Bond’s seminal song which to me sounds like a self-assessment of Bill Frisell’s playing.
He’s always faithful to itself, yet always fresh and brand-new!
Unbelievable…
Let me say that Goldfinger rendition is worth the double-disc!
It’s an instant classic, a standard to come…
The sound on the discs is lively, some tableware noises and coughs and breathings come in the background of music… also some birds singing at the very beginning of the disc… ’cause, hey, it’s spring in NYC, d’ya remember?
A nice disc, indeed…
Stefano Bertoncello