With a brooding approach that is nonetheless elegant in its delicacy, pianist Marc Copland teams up for yet another series of outstanding duets, this time with double-bassist Gary Peacock. What It Says represents some of Coplandís most impressionistically abstract work and, for Peacock, his most successful duet outing this side of his work with Ralph Towner.
The pairing of Peacock and Copland is not exactly new; Peacock played on Coplandís 1998 Savoy date, SoftlyÖ , albeit in more traditional trio, quartet and quintet settings. By paring things down to the barest essentials, they have created a recording of quiet beauty; dark and mysterious, this is chamber jazz at its best.
Most telling are the two separate versions of Peacockís piece ìVignette.î The first, a more rhythmically-propelled interpretation of a characteristically-spare motif, finds first Copland and then Peacock soloing with the kind of sheer lyricism that is almost painful in its simplicity. The album closes with the second reading, this time a solo rendition from Copland, where the harmonies are less direct, more abstruse.
Another Peacock piece, ìRequiem,î bears comparison to the version on the Marilyn Crispell trio recording from 2001, Amaryllis, as it so succinctly defines the difference between the two pianists. Crispell comes at the piece from a slightly more jagged, avant edge; Copland from a more romantic impressionistic point of view. Both are beautiful versions, but Copland is clearly the more graceful of the two.
Peacock, now nearing his sixth decade of performing, always manages to create an environment that is unpredictable and full of surprise. He has the remarkable capability, especially when in matched company, of managing to imply things that arenít there; it is part of the magic between these two players that on a piece like Coplandís ìAround in the Airî there is a palpable pulse even though one is not strictly being played.
Gracing the five Peacock and four Copland compositions are three improvisations that truly demonstrate Peacockís concept of spontaneous composition. ìCall & Answer,î in particular, is remarkable as each player first responds to and then develops and extrapolates on the otherís presented motifs. For those who think that free improvisation implies no sense of structure or composition, these three pieces are as good a place as any to change that mindset.
That Peacock should be capable of music with this much dignity should be no surprise; neither should it be especially surprising from Copland who, while a late starter on his chosen instrument, continues to develop a personal approach that combines the best of American and European traditions. What It Says is another fine recording from Franceís Sketch Records, a label that is joining a select group of independents with an uncompromising sense of artistry, and a distinctive personality; Copland and Peacock have managed to capture the essence of the material in a programme that is rich in ambience and deep in emotion. – John Kelman
Tracks
01. Ladder (Marc Copland / Gary Peacock)
02. Vignette (Gary Peacock)
03. Watching The Silence (Marc Coplan / Gary Peacock)
04. Around In The Air (Marc Copland)
05. Colors Of Hue (Gary Peacock)
06. Talkin’ Blues ((Marc Copland)
07. Calls & Answers (Marc Copland / Gary Peacock)
08. In A Dance (Marc Copland)
09. From The Well (Marc Copland)
10. Skim (Gary Peacock)
11. Requiem (Gary Peacock)
12. Vignette (Gary Peacock)
MARC COPLAND piano
GARY PEACOCK double bass
Recorded September 16 & 17, 2002 at The Studio, New York City
Sketch SKE 333040
www.sketchmusic.com