Bill Frisell

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Review:

This is the fifth in a series of special Jazz on the Tube reviews of live stream performances.

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Bill Frisell has always been an intriguing guitarist, whether it was playing episodic avant-garde jazz early in his career, working with John Zorn and Paul Motian’s trio, or leading his own often Nashville-influenced groups which can be thought of as modern Americana.

Always a self-sufficient orchestra (with Motian and others Frisell’s guitar playing made having a string bassist unnecessary), he is a natural to play solo guitar which he does throughout this spontaneous and thoughtful performance from April 2, 2020.

Bill Frisell creates a nonstop medley of songs, going from one tune to another without a moment of hesitancy.

Starting off with the verse of “Someone To Watch Over Me,” and including a surprising version of “New York, New York,” Billy Strayhorn’s “A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing,” “Lush Life,” “What The World Needs Now Is Love,” a blues that finds him exploring some otherworldly sounds at its conclusion, a Beatles song, and some originals, Bill Frisell holds one’s attention throughout; there are no slow or wandering moments.

The results are quite memorable.

– Scott Yanow