Portail du journalisme et de l'activisme musical de François Couture.

Home of François Couture's music journalism and activism.

2012-01-08

2012-01-01/08: Bill Dixon


2012-01-01/08

BILL DIXON / The Complete Remastered Recordings on Black Saint and Soul Note (CAM London)
Acheté à très bon prix chez Wayside en décembre, reçu juste avant les Fêtes, ce coffret a occupé le peu de temps que je souhaitais consacré à l’écoute pendant mes vacances. J’appelle ça passer du merveilleux temps en excellente compagnie.

Le regretté trompettiste Bill Dixon a peu publié (si on le compare à ses contemporains comme Anthony Braxton, Cecil Taylor ou même Roscoe Mitchell), mais chaque disque revêt une grande importance. Ce coffret économique réunit ses 9 disques pour Black Saint/Soul Note, chacun dans une pochette de carton reproduisant la pochette originale, le tout réunit dans un boîtier en carton, sans livret ni notes supplémentaires).

L’aventure commence en 1980 avec les deux volumes de Bill Dixon in Italy pour se terminer en 1998 avec les deux volumes de Papyrus. À l’intérieur de ce cadre, Dixon développe un langage musical original et multiforme. Les albums November 1981 et Thoughts (1985) sont saisissants d’intelligence, de musicalité, d’originalité, surtout par le recours à plus d’un contrebassiste. Autre moment fort: les deux volumes de Vade Mecum (1993), un quatuor avec le percussionniste Tony Oxley et les contrebassistes Barry Guy et William Parker. En toute fin de parcours (Papyrus), on a droit à quelques incursions de Dixon au piano, question de renouveler une autre fois la palette et l’approche. À 45$, ce coffret est un must.

Bought at a pretty good price from Wayside in December, received just before the Holidays, this box set has occupied what little time I wanted to devote to listening during my vacation. I call that spending splendid time with excellent company.

The late trumpeter Bill Dixon has released few recordings (when compared to his contemporaries like Anthony Braxton, Cecil Taylor, or even Roscoe Mitchell), but each album is very important. This budget box set presents his 9 albums for Black Saint/Soul Note, each housed in an LP replica cardboard sleeve, all packaged in a sturdy cardboard box. There is no booklet or additional information.

The journey begins in 1980 with the two volumes of Bill Dixon in Italy and ends in 1998 with the two volumes of Papyrus. Within this time frame, Dixon develops a unique and shapeshifting musical language. The albums November 1981 and Thoughts (1985) are shockfull of intelligence, musicality, and originality, mostly through the use of more than one bass player. Another highlight is the two-part Vade Mecum (1993), a quartet session with percussionist Tony Oxley and bassists William Parker and Barry Guy. At the very end of the journey (Papyrus), we are treated to a few pianistic explorations from Dixon that renew once again the palette and approach of the music. At $45, this box set is a must-have.

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