Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Ian Brighton: Now And Then
Ian Brighton: Now And Then
Tony Oxley
drums1938 - 2023
"A Voice You Left Behind" begins poignantly with the inimitable strains of
Derek Bailey
guitar1932 - 2005
Lol Coxhill
saxophone, sopranob.1932
"30 Years From Yesterday" is the first of only two of the seven tracks presented here which was not recorded between 2013 and 2015. Recorded in 1986 it features his long-time erstwhile colleagues Phil Wachsmann on violin, Marcio Mattos on bass and Trevor Taylor on percussion. Here, along with glissando waves from all three stringed instruments and accompanying rasping percussion, we hear that Brighton has adopted the occasional use of a piece of Bailey apparatus, the volume pedal, with which he is able to colour his tonal palette, and this is also in evidence on the succeeding track "Alive And Well" featuring Brighton on solo guitar once more and which was recorded in 2001.
In contrast to the lone guitar, "Percussion Discussion" is absolutely gripping. Sheets of echoing percussion cascade and envelope the metallic florid guitar notes. Frank Perry and Trevor Taylor play in tandem along with intermittent contributions from Nicky Heinen on flute. The only slight negative here is that it is not possible to determine which percussionist is playing what. But this is a minor quibble as the overall effect is dramatic and engaging.
"Generations Apart" features Brighton with his son Paul on electronics and from the opening, Brighton's characteristic bold note-striking tendency is encountered whilst the electronics provides aural light and shade. "Going Home" benefits from an underlay of electronics over which the guitarist explores tintinnabulating territory.
Along with others including Derek Bailey, Marc Ribot, Roger Smith, John Russell, Keith Rowe and Fred Frith, Brighton is a significant if too rarely heard innovator in the world of guitar improvisation. Key to Brighton's work is the too rarely heard characteristic of exploring the possibilities rather than the probabilities of the sounds of his instrument. And that, above all, is what makes this album important. ">
Track Listing
A Voice You Left Behind; Chasin Lol; 30 years from Yesterday; Alive and Well; Percussion Discussion; Generations Apart; Going Home.
Personnel
Ian Brighton: guitar plus Philipp Wachsmann: violin (track 3); Marcio Mattos: double bass (track 3); Nicky Heinen: flute (track 5); Paul Brighton: electronics (tracks 6,7); Frank Perry: percussion (track 5); Trevor Taylor: percussion (tracks 3, 5).
Album information
Title: Now And Then | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Confront Recordings
Tags
Ian Brighton
CD/LP/Track Review
Roger Farbey
Confront Recordings
United Kingdom
London
Tony Oxley
Derek Bailey
Lol Coxhill
Now and Then
Comments
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Support All About Jazz
All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.
Go Ad Free!
To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
London
Concert Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses
| More...
Buy Now
