(Tord Gustavsen, piano; Harald Johnsen, doublebass; Jarle Vespestad, drums)
There’s evidently no special connection here with the wonderful Peter Sellers movie Being There, but then again perhaps there is. Norwegian pianist Gustavsen’s third ECM effort uses for its title the title of a tune he wrote and played on the trio’s second CD. The pianist characterizes it as “being present, aware and focused in the fullness of the moment.” While a new improvisation on the tune is not part of the new CD, there is a track titled Still There.
The trio has a very restrained and soft-spoken approach which often seems to blur the line between chamber jazz and classical chamber music. An initial impression of great simplicity a la Erik Satie is heard from Gustavsen. There is never any shouting; an almost meditative approach is frequently felt. Some of the lyrical melodies have great beauty, and tempi are usually quite deliberate. There are several hymn tunes among the 13 tracks. A folk-like melody graces one of the longer tracks (at over six minutes) which should have wide appeal. Blessed Feet is quiet but dancelike and is dedicated to a young nephew of Gustavsen. The drum work on this and all the tracks is properly low-key, thus fitting well with the trio’s overall sound. All of the tunes except one are by Gustavsen. The piano sound is lovely, as on all ECMs, and the album is sure to grow on you the more you listen to it. It has 100% more depth and density than the many piano trio CDs that come our way regularly.
TrackList: At Home, Vicar Street, Draw Near, Blessed Feet, Sani, Interlude, Karmosin, Still There, Where We Went, Cocoon, Around You, Vesper, Wide Open.
– John Henry
