Bill Frisell and Thomas Morgan - Epistrophy

The Guardian 80

(ECM)

Every seasoned jazz listener knows Thelonious Monk’s Epistrophy, a jazz classic that’s been around for ever. Here, Bill Frisell (guitar) and Thomas Morgan (double bass) begin with what sounds like isolated random notes. The notes become melodic fragments that gradually grow together, revealing tantalising, Monkish hints until, finally, Epistrophy itself emerges. As an improvised duet, that’s not just clever, it’s brilliant. Frisell loves a melody. Somehow, he always manages to cast it in a new and unexpected light, without missing its essential charm, and in Morgan he has the perfect companion.

The other eight tunes on this album include two by Monk, a few standards, a couple of very old American songs and the theme from a Bond movie. It’s a curious mixture, but by no means a job lot. They all have something new to reveal. Take, for instance, Red River Valley (aka The Cowboy’s Love Song), which the pair turn this way and that until it’s hard to believe they could find so much fascinating variety in such a simple tune. And it all comes across in the bell-like clarity of Frisell’s guitar and the firm, woody texture of Morgan’s bass.