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Dave Morgan: Dave Morgan: The Way of the Sly Man
Dave MorganThe Way of the Sly Man
Being There
2010
The teachings of 20th century mystic G. I. Gurdjieff have appealed to their share of artists, pianist
Keith Jarrett
pianob.1945
Robert Fripp
guitarb.1946
Dave Morgan
bass, acousticb.1957
Jack Schantz
trumpetThe piece is divided into four parts, representing Gudjieff's teachings on the so-called "Fourth Way": "The Way of the Fakir," "The Way of the Monk," "The Way of the Yogi" and "The Way of the Sly Man." Like October 2009's concert premieres of the piece, the recording features members of The Jazz Unit, a variable group of 10 or so musicians who held court for a number of years at The Bop Stop club in Cleveland.
"The Way of the Fakir" is a two-part movement consisting of "The Search (Seekers of the Truth)" and "The Law of Three (Dervish Dance)." The first features the screams and screeches of
Howie Smith
saxophoneChris Anderson
trombone1926 - 2008
Where the Fakir represents the physical path to enlightenment, "The Way of the Monk" focuses on the religious, faith-based path. Here Morgan leads off with the anthemic "Bhakti," which recalls
Charlie Haden
bass, acoustic1937 - 2014
Dan Wall
organ, Hammond B3Fraser opens "Harmonious Development" (and "The Way of the Yogi" movement) with a minute-and-a-half solo electric guitar intro, keeping within a classical, Spanish-tinged mode. The others join him for a breezy, conventional jazz number—composer Morgan once again linking the basic disciplines of jazz to Gurdjieff's ideas about human fulfillment. With "Karnak (Stop)," an emphatic, pulsing number, the composer hopes to capture the feel of Gurdjieff's "Stop" exercises, wherein the mystic would, at a given moment, shout "Stop," inciting his followers to freeze and hold their thoughts. In additional hopes of capturing the intentional complexity of Gurdjieff's allegorical novel, Beezlebub's Tales To His Grandson," Morgan lays melodies and improvisations in various time-signatures over a base 4/4.
"Remembering (I Am Here)" and "Esoteric Circle" comprise the final movement, "The Way of the Sly Man." Whereas "The Ways of the Fakir, Monk, and Yogi require a withdrawing from the world," Morgan notes in the booklet accompanying the CD, "The Fourth Way involves doing the work in the midst of your everyday life." Yet "Remembering," which features the bittersweet crooning of Schantz's flugelhorn, proves to be one of the more introspective sections of the entire piece. But "Esoteric Circle" recaptures some of the real-world surge from earlier sections, and is also one of the loosest sections, driving through the spotlighted (and most-modern sounding) playing of individual members, as if, in the Gurdjieffian context, the musicians are breaking from a group study session to take what they have learned out into their own, individual lives.
This is an ambitious piece of music making. To attempt to capture the essence of specific philosophical teachings and modes of being is, whether you agree with the philosophical principles or not, a daunting task. But whether Morgan's composition ultimately captures Gurdjieffian thought and practice is a matter of not much importance. The work—in composition and execution—is one of both enthralling scope and intimacy, at once sounding and swelling the human urge for betterment and fulfillment, whatever the path. This is something Gurdjieff himself, no doubt, could get behind. In any event, there's little else for music—or art, in general—to strive for.
Tracks: The Way of the Fakir: The Search (Seekers of the Truth); The Law of Three (Dervish Dance); The Way of the Monk: Bhakti; Identifyin' (Blues for G); Essence; The Way of the Yogi: Harmonious Development; Karnak (Stop); The Way of the Sly Man: Remembering (I Am Here); Esoteric Circle.
Personnel: Howie Smith: soprano saxophine, alto saxophone, clarinet; John Klayman: tenor saxophone, clarinet, flute; Tom Reed: baritone saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet; Jack Schantz: trumpet, flugelhorn, harmonium; Bill Hoyt: French horn; Chris Anderson: trombone; Dan Wall: piano, keyboards; Bob Fraser: guitars; Dave Morgan: double bass; Ron Busch: vibraphone; Nate Douds: drums; Val Kent: drums; Jamey Haddad: world percussion. ">
Personnel
Dave Morgan
bass, acousticAlbum information
Title: Dave Morgan: The Way of the Sly Man | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Self Produced
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Dave Morgan
Extended Analysis
Matt Marshall
Self Produced
United States
Keith Jarrett
Robert Fripp
Jack Schantz
Howie Smith
Chris Anderson
Charlie Haden
Dan Wall
Dave Morgan: The Way of the Sly Man
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