Like-Coping

Artist: Jeff Parker
Label: Delmark
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 038153054328
EAN: 0038153054328
ASIN: B00008IUWM

Release Date: 2003-02-25

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Tracks:

Miriam
Like-Coping
Days Fly By (With Ruby)
Holiday For A Despot
Onyx
Watusi
Omega Sci Fi
Pinecone
Cubes
Plain Song
Scrambler
Roundabout

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Customer Reviews:

Adventurous guitar trio, both exploratory and beautiful........2004-08-18

You might recognize Jeff Parker from his membership in Tortoise and as the guitarist of both Isotope 217 and the various Chicago Underground projects. Having heard that Parker was an AACM-trained jazz guitarist upon his entry into the post-rock scene, I figured that it was only a matter of time until he would release an "official" solo album under his own name. It seems this is something that he has been reluctant to do, as he states in Like-Coping 's liner notes that he feared a traditional solo outing would be "selling out to convention." However, considering that half the album's compositions are written by the other two members of the trio, bassist Chris Lopez and drummer Chad Taylor, the record is nothing if not a collaborative effort.

Indeed, Jeff Parker's first outing as a solo artist is less a grandstanding virtuoso affair than a collaborative recording featuring three of Chicago's finest musicians. Although three writers are involved on this release, there is clearly a sense of stylistic similarity, one born of familiarity. A dozen years of playing together links these three, and it shows in their empathic interplay. Much of their writing style has the unadorned melodicism of their fellow post-rock Chicago brethren. It is in the trio's more spontaneous moments that the members betray their avant-garde jazz heritage.

The album opens with a slow, short ballad to ease you in, but then the title track quickly kicks in and swings along delightfully. This sets the pace for the majority of the album, which is, for the most part, a harmonically rich affair. This is not to ignore the multifarious rhythmic aspect of the trio, however. Take for example the catchy, retro groove of "Watusi", the cool, laid-back swing of "Scrambler" or the asymmetrical forward momentum that is "Cubes."

Like-Coping offers a hint or two of the sort of free-jazz maelstrom that these fellows can whip up in a live setting. There is dissonant call-and-response-based interplay, most notably on "Holiday For A Despot" and "Omega Sci Fi," the only two fully improvised cuts on the album. But, for the most part, the record focuses on melodic and rhythmic improvisation with a fluent sense of swing.

Those already familiar with Isotope 217 and the various Chicago Underground line-ups will find precedents for the material presented here in those groups' albums. So, although there are few surprises here, that really isn't the point of this album. The classic trio setting enables these three to explore more subtle dynamics than is usually possible with a larger band. And in that sense, this album fills in previously undocumented stylistic territory for these players. This is their spin on the straight-ahead, classic jazz guitar trio.

For connoisseurs of the Chicago post-rock/jazz scene, this will be another fine addition to your collection. For those simply looking for a guitar-based jazz trio album a little left of the status quo (i.e. Scofield/Metheny/Frisell), this could very well open a few ears.

new take on the guitar trio... pinnacle of modern playing.......2004-06-24

Jeff Parker has done it again. His playing is as unique as Bill Frisell and Kurt Rosenwinkel, but is so fresh and so far left of his mainstream counterparts. The subtleness in his improvisations in unmatched in it phrasing and articulation. Not only does Jeff give a six star performance, but his supporting cast of drummer Chad Taylor and bassist Chris Lopes gives this new frsh take on the guitar trio a hip, laid back expereince of sound and color. This record is a must for any guitar enthusiast or jazz fan looking for new sounds, and may prove to give some pleasent surprises for music lovers looking to add to their collection. Also check out Jeff's work with Chicago Underground, Tortoise and Isotope 217

excellent music.......2003-08-18

i bought this album because i have always liked jeff parkers music with the chicago underground groups, tortoise, isotose 217 and other groups. this ones is a little bit different, swinging softly and showcasing jeff parker in a way he usual is not allowed to perform in. in this recording session, you really get a sense of how original his playing can get. i give it 5 stars and recommend it to anyone who is a fan of CU or any other one of his groups

Music CD:

Music CD

Music CD

Music CD

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