Bailey, Derek / Leandre, Joelle

No Waiting

Label: Potlatch Country: France

"The five pieces on No Waiting, recorded live in 1997, find Bailey in his more usual mode of collaborative improvisation with an accomplished and forceful associate. Despite the jaggedness of Bailey's music - the fingers crawling spiderlike over the fretboard exploring every form of articulation and harmonie and rhythmic possibility over continually shifting time and velocity - here it is all underpinned with a sense of calm, an assured quality that comes from him having sorted out his aesthetic priorities long ego. The poise of French bassist Joëlle Léandre - the firm pedals, the lyrical bowed fines - heighten the sense of reflection, the low register of her instrument rooting the mercurial flight of Bailey's guitar. Their roles are almost traditional, and Bailey even occasionally lays out to give room for a bass solo. The relationship is one of support rather than dialogue. With Bailey's music there are few surprises (except occasionally in the choice of collaborators), but surprises here come when Leandre asserts herself and leads the way, causing the guitarist to step aside momentarily and reconsider. Both players shun novelty and their attention is above all to the detail of what is played."-Gus Garside, Resonance