Nashville

by

Bill Frisell

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Bill Frisell's music is misunderstood by fans and critics alike. Most listeners are too eager to foist labels upon artists; few are content to just let music be. Bill Frisell is not a jazz musician, nor is he a country guitarist or an avant-garde artist. Rather, he takes from all of these styles and incorporates them into his music, creating a sound that is distinctly his own while continually blurring the edges of established genres and styles. Frisell is a unique voice in the music world. His music is not universally accepted nor understood, but whether you like him or not, history will find him a pivotal figure in music. Some, such as those at Downbeat, are ahead of their time in embracing Frisell and his music. Their overwhelming praise is completely justified.

Nashville finds Frisell in a place where few musicians--save those on the inside of Nashville--seldom go: into the world of country music. Frisell weaves a rich blanket of country melodies and harmonies, but brings to the music the freedom of jazz and the down-hominess of bluegrass. The result is nothing less than an astounding effort. The guitar lines are simple yet beautiful, as Frisell lives the neck-jockying to a minimum, instead focusing on song structure and execution. One must go into the album with an open mind and open ears; but if one views the album as played and written by someone attempting to make a uniquely American sound by synthesizing the fundamental elements of American music, then one will not be disappointed.

This album marks a turning point in Frisell's recent career: though earlier albums like _Have a Little Faith_ had included country and folk styles in their survey of Americana, this is the first album in which Frisell actually seeks out top Nashville musicians to collaborate with (a pattern followed on his subsequent recordings). The results are a fun listen, if not one of the more significant discs in his oeuvre. Whereas figures like Alison Krauss often seem to make music full of manynoted solos & excessively tricky tunes, Frisell's take on Nashville is beautifully cool & laidback, the tunes simple though sporting his trademark slightly odd melodic twists & turns, & a pawky sense of humour. A couple tracks with harmonica are a little feistier. I'm not very keen on Robin Holcomb's vocals on three tracks, though after a few listens they seemed a little less jarring.

This isn't a priority purchase for those interested in Frisell--I'd recommend _Have a Little Faith_, _This Land_ & _Live_ instead. Yet it's worth a listen. I had been at one point about to sell this album off, & gave it a last spin: it got my 2-year-old dancing, so I kept it. I think she's probably as good a critic as anyone.