David Friesen Albums (33)
What The Critics Say
For this duet album, bassist David Friesen also plays bamboo flute, piano and percussion, while guitarist John Stowell adds some mandolin, thumb piano and percussion of his own; there is a liberal amount of overdubbing. As is true of the previous Through the Listening Glass, this obscure LP filled with Friesen's original religious-based themes offers background music with little incentive given to anyone to listen closely, although the musicianship is excellent. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Through the Listening Glass'
Release Date 2/20/2008
Tracks 12
Label Inner City
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What The Critics Say
On first glance, Through the Listening Glass is a duet recording between bassist David Friesen and guitarist John Stowell, at the time two burgeoning jazz fusion musicians whose kinship to the world sound of the group Oregon is easy to recognize. As one absorbs this music, you realize this album could easily be titled "The Art of the Overdub." Using multiple basses and guitars, percussion instruments, and the soprano sax of Gary Campbell, Friesen and Stowell create landscapes and skyscapes of sound on sound, at times a bit busy, mostly reaching for inner truths and a connection to some other dimension. There's no modicum of earthiness, but they strive to reach for the heavens, and use the technology of the times to create conversations within basic texts, layering them to a degree approaching epiphany. Friesen's spiritual center is quite prevalent on pieces like "Wings of Light" yet has a jazzier construct, and a pared-down focus among the three players. "Autumn Ballet" is the most uncomplicated piece, a simple bass/guitar duet with no accoutrements, while a similar sparse style is identified with a dual bass excursion in the intro, Stowell's 12-string invited to cozy up on "High Places/Secret Moments of Silence." The larger, orchestral-oriented "Peace for the Enduring Heart" is pastoral, featuring four bowed bass tracks, and two soprano and one tenor sax overdub from Campbell. "Opening Out" features the always-far-reaching Stowell on his own with two 12-string guitars, a six-string, and a cymbal in loose refrains. The title track, as beautifully rendered as all of the other selections, is particularly angelic and lovely in its ultra-melodic, memorable stance that resonates with Friesen's bass, Stowell's 12-string and Campbell's two soaring soprano sax tracks dancing the joyous, passionate night away. There's some African-influenced music here too, as log drums and shakuhachi flutes are employed during the more new age, space-music track "Wisdom's Star." "Ancient Kings" is perhaps a definitive track that uses the overdub technique to the hilt, as a mbira and log drum played by Stowell buoy Campbell's two soprano tracks, and Friesen's bowed morning horizon, semi-tropical bass/bass/percussion, and a cymbal stroke here and there. The unlikely quick, romping and rolling beat of "Carousel Parade" with just the headline participants seems a rushed afterthought, but still is fun to listen to. This album has been reissued on CD, and along with Stowell's Golden Delicious, Friesen's Star Dance, and Waterfall Rainbow, and the duo's Other Mansions provides a five-part look at what these quite capable artists were creating as fusion waned in the late '70s. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
David Friesen follows up his excellent debut album Star Dance with a program of original compositions that advances both his spiritual center and his love for the music of the ensemble Oregon. Though never officially a member of Oregon -- that space is always reserved for Glen Moore -- it seems he would fit in naturally, and displays that compatibility by employing Ralph Towner and Paul McCandless for this effort. Percussionist Jim Saporito, drummer Bob Moses, and electric guitarist John Stowell are also included, making for a group that fully understands how Friesen's religious beliefs and love of nature easily factor into his organic, contemporary jazz-influenced sound. Unlike Star Dance, there's no tour de force music here, but the title track is close to being classic in its galloping pace, guitar and English horn unison, with a wonderful flute solo from the usual baritone saxophonist Nick Brignola. Towner and Stowell prove compatible partners on acoustic and electric guitars respectively for the lovely "Spring Wind," a wedding song in beats of four and six that would be perfect for an outdoor nuptial ceremony in the woods. The two plectrists also show up together on "Song of Switzerland" which is neutral between Towner's strummings and the wafting oboe of McCandless. "Dancing Spirits Before the Lord" is memorable in that it echoes the Oregon concept, as the instruments all chime in agreement, a pretty but quick piece. There are several overdubbed solo tracks by Friesen, including the improvised "French Festival," a patient, strummed "The Peace That Passes Understanding," a stereo separated "Flight of the Angels," and the virtuoso display during "Song of the Stars" where the bassist's awesome technique takes on many bowed and plucked stances. Because of the solo pieces, this is a more self-indulgent, but no less impressive effort from Friesen, thankfully once again in print on compact disc. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide
'Midnight Mood: Live in Stockholm'
Release Date 11/30/2004
Tracks 9
Label Intuition
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What The Critics Say
Grace is a good duo session pairing bassist David Friesen with pianist Jeff Gardner. (It's comparable to Friesen's 1999 outing with Denny Zeitlin.) Friesen contributes only two originals: the title track and "Change of Heart," the latter featuring an extended bass solo. Most of the writing falls to Gardner, whose six tunes range from mid-tempo blues ("Blues for Hawk") to minor-key bossa ("Achados E Perdidos") to gospel/pop inflection ("Dad's Dream"). Gardner also takes an unaccompanied turn with "Preludio Para Rita." There's a standards component too: a bright, swinging "All the Things You Are" and a closing meditation on "My Funny Valentine." Recorded live in Belgium (there's no hint of audience response until the very end), the disc is hampered by a brittle piano sound and an excess of reverb, but the writing and playing are strong. ~ David R. Adler, All Music Guide
'The Name of a Woman'
Release Date 3/5/2002
Tracks 15
Label Intuition
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