Tord Gustavsen Trio – Seeing (2024)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 43:58 minutes | 744 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © ECM Records
With Seeing, Tord Gustavsen begins an intricate new chapter in his series of acclaimed trio recordings, initiated in 2003 with Changing Places – an album that is today considered a classic. The new recording with its compact, concentrated song forms “reflects my personal development as I get older, going for the essentials in life and music”, says the Norwegian pianist. Throughout five originals, two cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach, a traditional Norwegian church hymn, plus the 19th century English chorale “Nearer My God, to Thee”, Tord together with long-time ally Jarle Vespestad on drums and Steinar Raknes on double bass digs deep into his unique blend of jazz, blues, gospel, Scandinavian folk and church music. “Cherishing the melodies”, as Tord puts it, the group’s interplay draws strength from restraint, patiently building the music toward its climaxes, while Gustavsen, a true master of the trio format, shapes the whole with his delicate touch and subtle gospel glow.
In 2022, Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen returned to his favoured trio format with Opening, leading a partially reworked ensemble. Alongside the faithful Jarle Vespestad on drums, he introduced a new double bassist, Steinar Raknes, whose use of electronic effects undeniably opened up new sonic and imaginative musical horizons for the trio. Despite being accompanied by the same musicians, Seeing may look like a step back from those electronic experiments. However, it stands instead as one of his finest achievements, elevated with its sense of melodic purity to the quintessence of his minimalist aesthetic.
Through an introspective and spiritual repertoire composed of five compact and concentrated original pieces, two chorales by J.S. Bach, a traditional Norwegian religious hymn, and the 19th-century English hymn “Nearer My God, to Thee,” Gustavsen once again explores the mysteries of his unique blend of jazz, blues, gospel, Scandinavian folk, and church music, which has defined his originality for over twenty years. He elevates the trio’s art to new heights of sensitivity. As a storyteller confident in his abilities, the pianist delicately touches on the lyrical charms of these songs, which are at once surprisingly familiar yet perfectly unplaceable (neither modern nor nostalgic nor flatly academic), gradually revealing their narrative lines, dramatic tensions, and even unspoken subtexts with a great sense of suspense. – Stéphane Ollivier
Tracklist:
1-01. Tord Gustavsen Trio – Jesus, gjør meg stille (04:53)
1-02. Tord Gustavsen Trio – The Old Church (05:22)
1-03. Tord Gustavsen Trio – Seeing (05:42)
1-04. Tord Gustavsen Trio – Christ lag in Todesbanden (04:22)
1-05. Tord Gustavsen Trio – Auf meinen lieben Gott (03:32)
1-06. Tord Gustavsen Trio – Extended Circle (05:11)
1-07. Tord Gustavsen Trio – Piano Interlude – Meditation (02:52)
1-08. Tord Gustavsen Trio – Beneath Your Wisdom (05:16)
1-09. Tord Gustavsen Trio – Nearer My God, to Thee (02:55)
1-10. Tord Gustavsen Trio – Seattle Song (03:48)
