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  Jimmy Lyons 
  Push Pull
  (Corbett Vs Dempsey) 


  
   review by Matt Schulz
  2020-01-23
Jimmy Lyons: Push Pull (Corbett Vs Dempsey)

Jimmy Lyons recorded in NYC in 1978 , joined by Sun Ra associate Roger Blank on drums, Lyons' wife Karen Borca on bassoon, Hayes Burnett on bass, and Munner B Fennell's controlled, searching cello rounding out the quintet. Borca's bassoon lines are a strong frontline foil for Lyons, consistently inventive and fluid. At times she conjures tight, cyclical note bursts ala Coltrane. The only possible complaint is her volume is slightly lower in the mix at times.

A slight amount of tape chew opens disc 1 with lead off track "Mary Mary". Lyons and Borca cook up a storm of slurs, dizzied runs, and generally inspired soloing. The drums break into fragmented cells of swinging phrases that at one point sound like malfunctioning helicopter blades. Bowed cello smears mid-range goo all over while the bass keeps melodic pulse beneath. This goes on for a lovely 30+minutes, through different ensemble passages, including a stellar strings and percussion freak-out with vocalized fury accompaniment. "After you Left" is a more loping piece, with an amazing duet between Fennell and Burnett. Around 17 mins it suddenly takes off into agitated, cyclonic free energy.

The second disc has 3 more pieces that build on the aforementioned principles of group interplay. Hearing Lyons with a group of such capable musicians, naturally recorded (by Borca) and in the moment is a tremendous experience. Slight technical issues notwithstanding, this is an absolutely incredible free jazz record. A+







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