Noonan Brewed by Noon, Sean

Stories to Tell

Label: Songlines Country: Canada

"NY drummer Sean Noonan describes his Brewed by Noon project as "tribal rhythms by an Irish griot" and adds "My goal is to adapt folklore in a modern jazz context, merging storytelling and folk music from bardic and griot traditions." The basic concept isn't particularly novel in jazz: what happens when "wandering" folk melodies and grooves from different cultures are communally re-created through improvisation. But the ingredients, the brewing methods, and the spirit of the resulting music, are indeed different.

[...]

The stories Sean and his band tell in these 10 pieces are exceptionally diverse. You can pick out elements of blues, rock, soul, jazz and improv in various combinations, adding in Celtic and west African song-forms, lyrics, melodic content and instrumental approaches, but all transformed in the process of development. From the funky metaphoric love song to a "Pineapple," to moral fables about a lost baby elephant in "Esspi" and the presumptuous lord "Massana Cissé," to the grinding out-rock/jazz interplay of "Scabies" and the spooky hospital lullaby "Dr. Sleepytime," to the Irish/Malian duet "Noonbrews," Stories to Tell kaleidoscopically refracts its participants' cultures, talents and musical experiences into an ecstatic, intoxicating vision, one constantly supported by the energy and direction of Sean's drumming. And New York, the symbolic melting pot where it all transpires, is paid homage to in the musical rollercoaster "NY."

Concludes Sean: "I want to understand and preserve these ancient traditions by re-interpreting them from a modern, multi-cultural perspective, exploring my concept of 'brewing' people, original ideas/concepts, and cultures, since I believe it's my mission. I've become very attached to the people I've worked with. Sometimes I dream about them and have visualizations of what they will do with my music. This record is a platform presenting many different themes and formulas. I want to dedicate a record to each theme. I want to continue to learn more about my Gaelic roots and brew them with West African improvisation. And I want to explore new dimensions with my electro-acoustic drumset, utilizing electronics in a way that complements and challenges my approach to the drumkit." "-Songlines