When I first wrote about my review of Ben Allison’s “Man Size Safe”, I was listening to an audio-only version but today I managed to find the exact video of the song I was listening to. I hope you enjoy.
Review of Ben Allison’s “Man Size Safe”
Starting us off is bass with a very simple but effective quarter note baseline followed by a very interesting feeling melody. From what I can hear, its a quintet band composed of Upright Bass, Drums, Electric Guitar, Trumpet and Violin.
As the song ends, we have a guitar solo while the bass changes tactics as to how he approaches the chord changes. As his solo ends, we go back to the melody but during the break of the song, we have a very dissonant sounding trumpet solo. This solo ends in a fading out trumpet which leads to a very incredible drum solo.
The drum solo is actually really cool, not gonna lie. At the end of the solo we are greeted back by the same melody but with some embellishments, this time was done by the violinist and then bam, the song ends.
Experience listening to Chris Potter’s “Lament”
Well, to start us off, there is a very calm cello (maybe bass) intro. This is now being followed by the rhythm section for about 4 bars right before Chris comes in on tenor.
So far the chord changes are very melancholic with a very simple but powerful melody. This leads into a solo bass accompanied by violins. As we approach the end of the bass solo, tension builds up and Chris comes in again with the same melody as before but with more action in the rhythm section. Following that would be Chris’s solo where he foreshadows the climax of his solo.
There is a very delicate way in which he solos that makes the whole piece feel atmospheric and space-feeling. As you get deeper into his solo, everything else just follows. Ending his solo, we are greeted with the ending to his composition. Very amazing piece.
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