At first listen, Ben Allison’s beautiful music is challenging to define. Reviews of his band’s latest release,
The Stars Look Very Different Today, clamor to pinpoint the essence of his sound.
JazzTimes calls his compositions a mix of “folklorish” and “compellingpost-rock,” while The Huffington Post suggests that his sound is at once “pulsating and drone-like” and a combination of “twang and techno.” In fact, Allison seems to embrace all of these qualities and more. Raucous break beats and spellbinding grooves - coupled with lyrical melodies and miscellaneous electronica - test the musical boundaries between science and science-fiction. The result? An intriguing and original sound.
The most recent incarnation of Allison’s band features a quartet of intrepid musicians, from the fearless bravado of drummer Allison Miller to the subtle, searching phrases of guitarist Steve Cardenas. Ben Allison himself is a charismatic yet sensitive bandleader and bassist. The group together plays with fervent energy - every moment lies open for exploration, reveling in the immediacy and intimacy of the performance.
All talk of structure, timbre, and texture aside, the music is simply captivating. Songs sweep with wide, bold strokes and are a joy to experience. Surprisingly, even comfortingly, Ben Allison is as accessible as he is multifaceted. Saturday’s concert at Terrace is not one to be missed. It promises a careful combination of preparedness and gutsy risk-taking, leaving something for anyone to enjoy; from the casual listener and the avid jazz fan, to those who just wanna get down.
Listen here -
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia7F0qsfcFI]
