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Grégoire Maret / Romain Collin / Bill Frisell: Americana

By Karl Ackermann
April 17, 2020
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Grégoire Maret / Romain Collin / Bill Frisell: Americana

Harmonica player and composer

Gregoire Maret

harmonica
b.1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Gregoire Maret is not a familiar name in the U.S. but he should be. The New York-based artist has recorded with

Jimmy Scott

vocals
1925 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Scott,

Jacky Terrasson

piano
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Jacky Terrasson,

Steve Coleman

saxophone, alto
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Coleman and Five Elements,

Charlie Hunter

guitar
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Hunter,

Terri Lyne Carrington

drums
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Terri Lyne Carrington,

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Metheny and many others. The very bankable musician has appeared on over seventy-five releases as a sideman and has recorded as a leader on three albums. Americana unites Maret with pianist, composer and label-mate

Romain Collin

piano
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Romain Collin, along with legendary guitarist

Bill Frisell

guitar, electric
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Frisell, and drummer

Clarence Penn

drums
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Clarence Penn on one track.

The music on Americana comes from the perspective of two immigrants to the U.S.; the Swiss-native Maret, and Frenchman Collin. On many tracks Frisell adds the authenticity he brought to his own Nonesuch Records projects such as Nashville (1997), Good Dog, Happy Man (1999) and Disfarmer (2009). Maret and Collin often perform as a duo and open the album with the unexpected; Scottish-born Mark Knopfler's

Dire Straits

band / ensemble / orchestra
1977 - 1995

" data-original-title="" title="">Dire Straits song "Brothers in Arms" feels like a natural here. Frisell then joins in on two of his own compositions, "Small Town" and "Rain, Rain" given a fresh feel with Maret's contributions.

Collin's "San Luis Obispo" appeared on the pianist's Press Enter (ACT Music, 2015); a beautiful Appalachian-tinged lullaby, sparse and haunting in its original piano form, Frisell and Maret give it a down-to-earth reading. Maret's "Back Home" is the only appearance of Penn who adds some light brushwork. The trio takes on the Jimmy Webb classic "Wichita Lineman" and the Justin Vernon composition "Re: Stacks" from the

Dirty Bourbon River Show

" data-original-title="" title="">Dirty Bourbon River Show debut For Emma, Forever Ago (Self-produced, 2007).

In Collin, Maret and Frisell we have artists of three origins, entangled together in the early influences of U.S. music; they urge the listener to hear common threads. Americana is a journey guided by distant lights, and the musicians lead each other in an alliance that is both conversant and spiritual. Highly recommended.

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Track Listing

Brothers in Arms; Small Town; Rain, Rain; San Luis Obispo; Back Home; Wichita Lineman; The Sail; Re: Stacks; Still.

Personnel

Gregoire Maret

harmonica

Romain Collin

piano

Bill Frisell

guitar, electric

Clarence Penn

drums

Additional Instrumentation

Romain Collin: piano, Moog Taurus, pump organ, effects; Bill Frisell: electric guitar, acoustic guitar, banjo; Clarence Penn: drums (5).

Album information

Title: Americana | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: ACT Music

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