VIOLIN is notable in the Oregon discography for the presence of Zbigniew Seifert, a Polish violinist who contributes nicely to the quartet's usual high-minded assortment of jazz, world music, and chamber aesthetics. The title track, which opens the album, is a 15-minute improvisation featuring Seifert, who fits seamlessly into the airtight chemistry shared by Oregon's core members. Other highlights include "Flagolet," which proves Oregon's commitment to experimentation (the song is built on an evocative, if off-kilter, series of chords), and the lovely "Serenade."
Collin Walcott's tablas and sitar gesture to the deep influence of Indian classical music on Oregon's sound, while Glen Moore's bass and flute, Ralph Towner's guitars and piano, and Paul McCandless's reeds create alternately minimalist and dense sonic landscapes that continually stretch in new directions. Seifert's playing owes debts to gypsy-inflected folk and post-bop alike, and his contributions make VIOLIN a distinctive notch in the band's already impressive catalogue
Collin Walcott's tablas and sitar gesture to the deep influence of Indian classical music on Oregon's sound, while Glen Moore's bass and flute, Ralph Towner's guitars and piano, and Paul McCandless's reeds create alternately minimalist and dense sonic landscapes that continually stretch in new directions. Seifert's playing owes debts to gypsy-inflected folk and post-bop alike, and his contributions make VIOLIN a distinctive notch in the band's already impressive catalogue
Tracks
1. Violin (Group Improvisations)
2. Serenade (Raph Towner)
3. Raven´s Wood (Ralph Towner)
4. Flagolet (Glen Moore)
5. Friend of the Family (Ralph Towner)
ZBIGNIEW SIFERT violin
PAUL McCANDLESS oboe, bass clarinet
GLEN MOORE bass
COLLIN WALCOTT tabla, percussion, piano on (4)
RALPH TOWNER 12-string and classical guitars, piano on (3)
VANGUARD VMD 79397 - UV 040
1. Violin (Group Improvisations)
2. Serenade (Raph Towner)
3. Raven´s Wood (Ralph Towner)
4. Flagolet (Glen Moore)
5. Friend of the Family (Ralph Towner)
ZBIGNIEW SIFERT violin
PAUL McCANDLESS oboe, bass clarinet
GLEN MOORE bass
COLLIN WALCOTT tabla, percussion, piano on (4)
RALPH TOWNER 12-string and classical guitars, piano on (3)
VANGUARD VMD 79397 - UV 040