The Squid's Ear Magazine


Gisler, Fabin / John Schroder / Colin Vallon / Henrik Walsdorf: Backyard Poets (Hatology)


 

Price: $19.95



Quantity:

In Stock

Quantity in Basket: None

Log In to use our Wish List
Shipping Weight: 2.00 units

Sample The Album:


product information:

Personnel:



Fabin Gisler-doublebass

John Schroder-drums

Colin Vallon-piano

Henrik Walsdorff-alto, tenor saxophones


Click an artist name above to see in-stock items for that artist.




UPC: 752156064527

Label: Hatology
Catalog ID: Hatology645
Squidco Product Code: 8184

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2007
Country: Switzerland
Packaging: Cardstock foldover
Tracks 1 - 7 recorded October 1, 2, 2005 at Radio studio 2, DRS, Zürich by Deaniel Dettwiler, tracks 8 - 10 recorded live June 25, 2005 at the "Bird's Eye Jazz Club" Basel, by Cornelius Bohn.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"Though he's played with some prime-time bandleaders-including pianists Bill Carrothers and Mark Soskin, saxophonist Gary Smulyan and guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel-Swiss bassist Fabian Gisler is a new name to me. Backyard Poets is his debut album as leader, and it's a pleasure to make his acquaintance, and those too of his colleagues Henrik Walsdorff, saxophones, Colin Vallon, bass, and John Schroder, drums.

Without any prior knowledge of the musicians, and with no clues provided by the studiously Absurdist liner notes written by critic Tom Gsteiger, the band photo on the inside cover of Backyard Poets suggests a quartet of wild-eyed and tousled late-twenty somethings who would relish strangling Diderot's proverbial last king with the entrails of the last priest.

Maybe they would, but the music suggests otherwise. Though it has its moments of tumult, particularly on the final three tunes (recorded live a few months prior to the rest of the album), the predominant vibe on Backyard Poets is gentle, elliptical, understated and pretty. Six of the tracks are group improvisations, and four are based on themes composed individually by Vallon, Gisler and Walsdorff, but there's no clear demarcation between them.

Balladic group improvisations make up the first seven tracks of the album, with Vallon's "Sans Un Mot" containing the only pre-composed theme. The group is fleet-footed, softly spoken and close-miked. Walsdorff favors the treble register on both saxophones, with a Lee Konitz-like purity of sound and a preference for sustained tones which float like little cotton wool clouds over the piano, bass and drums. Vallon spends as much time inside the piano as he does at the keyboard, variously plucking, stroking, scratching and dampening the strings. Schroder spends most of his time on brushes rather than sticks, his nimble snare drum flurries as impressionistic as the saxophone and piano. Gisler himself mostly elects to fulfill a traditional bass role, supporting and interacting with the other players rather than hogging the limelight, and he approaches the bass as a melody instrument as much as an engine of propulsion. [...]"-Chris May, All About Jazz


Get additional information at All About Jazz

Artist Biographies

"Henrik Walsdorff (* February 8, 1965 in Braunschweig) is a German jazz saxophonist.

Walsdorff, who has been living in Berlin since 1994, studied saxophone at Herb Geller. He played in the bands of Aki Takase, Marty Cook and Sven-Åke Johansson. In addition to John Schröder and Colin Vallon, he is a member of the Fabian Gisler Quartet. With Martin High de Prime, Kay Lübke and Jan Roder, he is the group The Real Latinos, with John Schröder and Uli Jenneßen the group Freedom of Speech and with Rudi Mahall, Jan Roder and Oliver Steidle the SoKo Steidle. He is also a member of the Berlin Contemporary Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Alexander von Schlippenbach, with whom he also directs a quartet.

In 1994, Walsdorf founded the group LAX with John Schröder, Gerold Genßler and Uli Jenneßen, whose album Time was created in 60 Seconds 2002. In the field of pop music he worked with the groups Seeed and We are heroes together."

-Wikipedia (Translated by Google) (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henrik_Walsdorff)
3/27/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



1. Poetry From Neverland A 2:08

2. Poetry From Neverland B 2:15

3. The Inner Storm 5:48

4. Sham King 1:34

5. Sans Un Mot 6:32

6. Fields Of Darkness 6:41

7. A New Life 3:44

8. Starsky's Delight 8:57

9. Freedom Speech 6:07

10. Neues Stuck 6:09

Related Categories of Interest:

Hat Art
Improvised Music
Jazz
European Improvisation, Composition and Experimental Forms
June 2007
Quartet Recordings

Search for other titles on the label:
Hatology.


Recommended & Related Releases:
Other Recommended Releases:
Day & Taxi (Gallio / Jeger / Meier)
Way [VINYL 2 LPs + CD]
(Percaso)
Swiss saxophonist Christoph Gallio has led the Day & Taxi group for more than 25 years, here as a trio with Silvan Jeger on double bass and David Meier on drums for a double LP of creative jazz blending unique contemporary composition with melodic approaches.



Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought:
Countryman, Rick
The First Bird
(ChapChap Records)
Taking his inspiration from the concepts and work of German fractal image & video artist Joerg Wand, US-born and Philippines-based alto saxophonist Rick Countryman presents his first unaccompanied saxophone album, as he flows, winds and weaves his saxophone along rich peninsular curves to illustrate Wand's vision through fluid and sustained playing.
Lee, Yoon-Ji
Padong
(zOaR Records)
Five compositions from Yoon-Ji Lee, whose work employs unconventional and nonlinear structures that focus on quick transformations of language, noise, texture, and tonal color, here with five works, one performed by JACK Quartet & Mivos Quaret, a work for solo Saenghwang, a solo piano work, a string quartet, and a mixed chamber ensemble.
Doneda, Michel / Frederic Blondy / Tetsu Saitoh
Spring Road 16
(Relative Pitch)
After 30 years of collaboration between French saxophonist Michel Doneda and Japanese double bassist Tetsu Saitoh, this 2016 recording was to be their last due to the premature passing of Saitoh, the two heard here in a trio with pianist Frederic Blondy recorded for Radio France in a remarkable and consuming performances of fully free and often darkly savage improvisation.
Chansons du Crepuscule (Helene Breschand / Elliott Sharp)
Aube
(zOaR Records)
A collection of original songs and interpretations inspired by Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg, from vocalist Hélène Breschand, also performing on harp, electronics & field recordings, in a duo with Elliott Sharp, who creates grooves and instrumental environments on guitar, synth, bass, drum programming & electronics, each song beautifully fractured and rich in detail.
Synkretika (Carl Stone / Elliott Sharp)
Live in Tokyo
(zOaR Records)
One of the pioneers of live computer music, Carl Stone and guitarist, multi-reedist and electronic artist Elliott Sharp have had a long association sharing concert stages together, heard here in 2019 at Bar Ishee in Tokyo for a unique concert of syncretic improvisation, merging instrumental music with unusual concrete and acousmatic sonic manifestations.
Four Letter Words (Piet / Wark / Harris)
Pinch Point
(Amalgam)
The first fully improvised album from the Chicago trio of Jake Wark on tenor saxophone, Matt Piet on piano and Bill Harris on drums, recording at Experimental Sound Studios in 2018 for seven numbered and concise improvisations, running the gamut from rapidly active yet controlled interaction and investigatory conversations of confident expression and creative drive.
Rowe, Keith
Absence
(erstwhile)
It was during this recording at the 2015 "zoom in" festival in Bern, Switzerland that AMM guitarist and improviser Keith Rowe made the decision to cease performing solo, affected by Parkinson's Disease, this being his final recording as he performed on lapstick guitar, Boss RC-3, Boss PS-3, six band EQ, Sony ICF-SW22 and Roberts R984 radios, 2 contact mics & a metal strip.
Gjerstad, Frode / Isach Skeidsvoll
Twenty Fingers
(Relative Pitch)
A sparkling and energetic encounter between Norwegian saxophone legend Frode Gjerstad and fellow Norwegian and relative newcomer, pianist Isach Skeidsvoll of groups Bear Brother and Garrubo Band, the two spurring each other to intense levels of interaction, stepping back at times for introspective moments only to plunge forward in a wonderfully enthusiastic dialog.
Wilkinson, Alan / Dirk Serries
One In The Eye [2 CDs]
(A New Wave of Jazz)
With an obvious pleasure at their pairing, both in the studio in Belgum in 2019 and at a live concert at A New Wave Of Jazz festival at the Hundred Years Gallery in London, 2020, acoustic guitartist Dirk Serries and multi-reedist Alan Wilkinson explore a range of styles and techniques through diverse melodic and abstract expression in pursuit of new forms of expression.
Olive, Tim
Spot of the Foul (total mass retain)
(845 Audio)
The second-ever solo release from Tim Olive and his first since 2008, in a distinctive set of compositions that layer and superimpose multiple, darkly intense recordings of improvisations made with magnetic pickups, metal plates, springs, wire, tuning forks, electromagnets, bow, breath, dental floss, envelope generator, fuzz, spring reverb, and preamplifier.
Jorgensmann / Del / Ramond / Kugel
At the Fields Edge
(Not Two)
Taking its album title and the titles for three compositions from poems by Laura Winter, the German jazz quartet led by clarinetist Theo Jörgensmann with Christopher Dell on vibes, Christian Ramond on double bass and Klaus Kugel on drums present an advanced example of modern creative, chamber-oriented collective free jazz with a stunning level of communication.
Toyozumi, Sabu / Rick Countryman
Misaki Castle Tower
(ChapChap Records)
The fourth and final night of a series of concerts after three nights of trios and quartets, this live recording captures the duo of legendary Japanese drummer Sabu Toyozumi and American alto saxophonist living in the Philippines Rick Countryman, freely improvising four impresseive and creative conversations of both intricate and reflective dialog.
Dunmall, Paul / Percy Pursglove / Olie Brice / Jeff Williams
Palindromes
(West Hill Records)
Capturing their 2nd gig together, double bassist Olie Brice and trumpeter Percy Pursglove invited two prominent improvisers who had never played together before — drummer Jeff Williams and tenor saxophonist Paul Dunmall — to join them for a 2020 concert at Cafe Oto in London, presented into two palindromic-ally named and profound improvisations: "Tattarratta" 1 & 2.
Hall, Rob / Chick Lyall
Upward Fall
(FMR)
A set of lyrical, thoughtful and sometimes whimsical works from the Scottish-based duo of Rob Hall & Chick Lyall (Green Room Trio), who have been developing their musical language since 2003, drawing from a wide range of genres from Baroque chamber music to free jazz and folk idioms, their lack of boundaries lending itself to a uniquely diverse and embraceable music.
Gregorio, Guillermo / Damon Smith / Jerome Bryerton
Room of the the Present
(Listen! Foundation (Fundacja Sluchaj!))
Two performances of Chicago reedist and composer Guillermo Gregorio's graphic score "Moholy 2", inspired by the artwork of László Moholy-Nagy, recorded in two conductions at the Experimental Sound Studio in Chicago in 2007 & 2008 by the trio of Gregorio on clarinets & alto sax, Damon Smith on double bass, and Jerome Bryerton on percussion, cymbals and drums.
Dunmal, Paul Sextet (Dunmall / Pursglove / Foote / Saunders / Owston / Bashford)
Cosmic Dream Projection
(FMR)
A studio project led by Paul Dumall on alto & tenor saxophones and alto flute, recorded while on touring hiatus during the pandemic, composing six passionate and melodically charged works performed by the brilliant sextet of Percy Pursglove on trumpet, Richard Foote on trombone, Steven Saunders on guitar, James Owston on bass, and Jim Bashford on drums.
MoE w/ Mette Rasmussen / Ikuro Takahashi
Painted
(Relative Pitch)
During their 2019 Japan Tour, the collaboration of the Norwegian experimental rock band MoE and alto sax virtuoso Mette Rasmussen extended their trio with legendary drummer Ikuru Takahashi to record this energetic, rough and tumble album exploring the boundaries between free improvisation, skronky rock, and other confrontational, conceptual crossover forms.
Colonna, Marco / Alexander Hawkins
Dolphy Underlined
(Listen! Foundation (Fundacja Sluchaj!))
A set of Eric Dolphy compositions and one Colonna composition in the style of Dolphy and a Dolphy-esque take on Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child", from pianist Alexander Hawkins and Marco Colonna on clarinet, bass clarinet & sopranino saxophones, recorded live in Rome in 2020 for a spirited and tender hommage to one of the great and most singular figures in jazz history.
Tippett, Keith
The Monk Watches The Eagle
(Discus)
As though an elegy for the departed pianist and composer, Keith Tippett does not perform on this work, which was commissioned for the 2004 Norwich and Norfolk Festival, but conducts an ensemble that includes Julie Tippetts on voice, a saxophone octet that includes long-time collaborator Paul Dunmall, and the polyphonic choir of the BBC Singers; an exquisite and stirring work.
Schubert / Schlippenbach / Blume
Forge
(Relative Pitch)
"Merge" aptly describes the nearly telepathic interplay between these three European Free Improv masters -- Alexander von Schlippenbach on piano, Frank Paul Schubert on alto & soprano saxophones, and Martin Blume on drums -- recorded live in 2019 at Ruhr Jazz Fest, in Bochum, Germany, for an expansive 47 minute improvisation and a brief "Forgin the Work" conclusion.
Grady, Kraig
Monument Of Diamonds
(Another Timbre)
Microtonal composer Kraig Grady in a work for specially adapted brass instruments (Kris Tiner, trumpets; Subhraag Singh-saxophones; Emmett Kim Narushima-trombones) and organ (Terumi Narushima) using a the Meta-Slendro tuning, an obscure 17-tone scale, to create an expansive and organic work assembled from recordings of each musician playing meditations on single notes.
Oxley, Tony
February Papers
(Discus)
Reissuing percussionist and electronic innovator Tony Oxley's 1977 Incus album, collecting works from Oxley's evolving approaches, including a quartet with bassist Barry Guy and violinists David Bourne & Philipp Wachsmann; a trio with Barry Guy and Ian Brighton on electric guitar; and solo pieces including a piece for Evan Parker emulating his sound through electronics.
Gadt / Osborne / Zakrocki / Olak
Spontaneous Chamber Music Vol.3
(Listen! Foundation (Fundacja Sluchaj!))
The third volume in this free improvising series, starting with the collaboration of Polish violinist Patryk Zakrocki and guitarist Marcin Olak, varying the additional players as they explore chamber-oriented free improvisation, here with the impressive vocal improvisation of Anna Gadt and cellist Annemie Osborne, ripping apart the calendar in 14 monthly machinations.
Gjerstad, Frode / Fred Lonberg Holm / Steve Swell / William Parker
Tales From
(Listen! Foundation (Fundacja Sluchaj!))
After a tour through upstate New York State with Chicago cellist and electronic artist Fred Lonberg-Holm, saxophonist Frode Gjerstad headed to New York City for a planned trio recording which evolved into this informed quartet with Steve Swell on trombone and William Parker on bass, tuba, cornet & flutes, an outstanding example of Transatlanic collective improvisation.
Parkins, Zeena / Jeff Kolar
Scale
(Two Rooms Records)
Commissioned by choreographer Jennifer Monson, the collaboration of Downtown NY electric harpist and sound artist Zeena Parkins and Chicago sound artist Jeff Kolar explore the intersection of acoustic phenonema against electronic, synthetic & radio sounds, inspired by the timing of natural phenomena like ocean currents and daylight emergence; fascinating.



The Squid's Ear Magazine

The Squid's Ear Magazine

© 2002-, Squidco LLC