Uri Caine Trio - Siren '2011

Tracks list

Siren is the first studio recording to feature pianist Uri Caine leading a
traditional acoustic trio since 1998s Blue Wail (Winter & Winter). Since then,
most of Caines albums have alternated between radical reinterpretations of the
work of revered classical composers like Beethoven, Mozart and Schummann, and
the heavily amplified funk excursions of his Bedrock trio with bassist Tim
Lefebvre and drummer Zach Danziger. Stripped down to their basic foundations
however, most of Caines efforts typically revolve around the classic piano trio
format. Bassist Drew Gress and drummer Ben Perowsky have been Caines primary
accomplices in this configuration, last documented on Live at the Village
Vanguard (Winter & Winter, 2004). Maintaining a semblance of consistency,
Perowsky returns for this sublime session, with John Hébert filling the bass
chair. 

An eclectic artist of catholic taste, Caine is by turns ruminative or animated;
his fluid single note runs transition gracefully from hushed filigrees to
boisterous arpeggios, leading Hébert and Perowsky through the chromatic
progressions and modulating tempos of eleven diverse originals and one classic
cover. Working as one, the trios congenial rapport is suffused with an
omnipresent blues feeling that pervades each of their
interpretations—from a rapturous cover of On Green Dolphin Street to the
impressionistic languor of Hazy Lazy Crazy. 

A neo-traditionalist at heart, Caine alludes to his abiding interest in
pre-swing styles like ragtime and stride throughout the date—as
demonstrated by the cascading intervals of Interloper. Reveling in the joys of
unfettered swing, the trio digs deep into the bluesy fatback grooves of Crossbow
and the oblique angles of Calibrated Thickness with palpable fervor. They hint
at stylistic interests beyond the mainstream, navigating multiple time
signatures on the funky Tarshish and ebullient Latin rhythms on Manual Defile,
with no piece exceeding six minutes. Each of these compact tunes serves as a
self-contained model of brevity, encouraging pointedly concise statements from
Caine, Hébert and Perowsky. 

Bolstered by astute listening skills, the trios intimate three-way dialogues
offer inventive interpretations of established traditions, the understated
stylistic shifts providing a cohesive sensibility to the proceedings. The trios
mastery of dynamics enriches the quality of its harmonious discourse; Héberts
eloquent precision makes him an ideal partner for Perowsky, whose responsive
dexterity encourages the leaders full range of expressionism—from the
heartbreaking balladry of the introspective Foolish Me to the audacious freeform
interludes of Free Lunch. Siren is a welcome return to form for Caine, whose
recent endeavors have highlighted his compositional skills more often than his
improvisational mettle. 

Uri Caine, Piano
John Hébert, Bass
Ben Perowsky, Drums 

Tracklist:
01. Uri Caine Trio - Tarshish
02. Uri Caine Trio - Interloper
03. Uri Caine Trio - Siren
04. Uri Caine Trio - Crossbow
05. Uri Caine Trio - Smelly
06. Uri Caine Trio - Succubus
07. Uri Caine Trio - Green Dolphin Street
08. Uri Caine Trio - Foolish Me
09. Uri Caine Trio - Calibrated Thickness
10. Uri Caine Trio - Hazy Lazy Crazy
11. Uri Caine Trio - Free Lunch
12. Uri Caine Trio - Manual Defile

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