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The Nels Cline Singers: Share The Wealth

By Mark Sullivan
December 3, 2020
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The Nels Cline Singers: Share The Wealth

Guitarist

Nels Cline

guitar, electric
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Nels Cline has led the Nels Cline Singers since 2002. While they have sometimes had guest performers on their recordings, the core band has been a trio of Cline, drummer

Scott Amendola

drums
b.1969

" data-original-title="" title="">Scott Amendola and bassist

Trevor Dunn

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Trevor Dunn (originally

Devin Hoff

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Devin Hoff). This album expands the group to a sextet with the addition of saxophonist

Skerik

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Skerik, keyboardist

Brian Marsella

keyboards
b.1850

" data-original-title="" title="">Brian Marsella and percussionist

Cyro Baptista

percussion
b.1950

" data-original-title="" title="">Cyro Baptista. The experimental ante was further upped by the fact that they had never before played together in this combination, and that they learned Cline's music at the recording sessions, in addition to creating collective improvisations.

It is a diverse program, with a big sound which takes full advantage of the expanded lineup. The program starts with an arrangement of legendary Brazilian songwriter

Caetano Veloso

guitar
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Caetano Veloso's "Segunda," a surprising choice with a haunting melody, which also highlights a dialog between Cline's guitar, Skerik's saxophone, and Marsella's Fender Rhodes electric piano. The exchange begins lyrically, but builds to full scale energy jazz. Cline's "BeamSpiral" shifts gears to a mellow contemporary jazz feel featuring the Rhodes, reminiscent of In A Silent Way-era

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis. The ballad "Nightstand" opens with acoustic piano and saxophone. Cline makes a ghostly entrance with echoing electronics, accompanied by sparse percussion, joined by the rest of the band for a gentle ending.

"Stump The Panel" is the first (and the longest, at over 17 minutes) of the collective improvisations. Opening with legato atmospherics, it builds to a tumultuous climax before Cline and Skerik introduce a short repeating riff which drives everyone forward. Just after the six-minute mark the saxophone leads the way into a calm central section, which Amendola interrupts with a regular drum beat. After a jumble of calmer (but spooky) atmospherics (including some whispering voices), the piece ends with intermittent overdriven sounds, threatening a big climax which doesn't come.

"Princess Phone" is driving funk, this time recalling On The Corner-era Miles Davis, as well as a showcase for a fleet Rhodes solo and a free drum solo. In its brief time "African Treasure" finds space for sparse sounds recalling a kora, mbira and drum ensemble. "A Place On The Moon" is the third and final improvisation. Almost entirely an exercise in atmosphere, it emphasizes collective sound textures (which do indeed sound spacey). Skerik's saxophone pops out of the mix occasionally, as does the leader's guitar. Closer "Passed Down" finds Cline on acoustic guitar, with saxophone in the lead. It is a lyrical, almost bucolic ending. Cline takes an interesting solo with sitar evocations.

There is a lot of music on offer here, and it is consistently interesting. Fans of Cline's unbridled guitar playing may be a bit disappointed; the focus is more on his composing and band leading, although there is plenty of guitar as well, albeit sometimes in short bursts. Definitely a distinctive addition to the Nels Cline discography.

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Track Listing

Segunda; Beam/Spiral; Nightstand; Stump the Panel; Headdress; Princess Phone; The Pleather Patrol; Ashcan Treasure; A Place on The Moon; Passed Down.

Personnel

Nels Cline

guitar, electric

Skerik

saxophone

Trevor Dunn

bass

Scott Amendola

drums

Brian Marsella

keyboards

Cyro Baptista

percussion

Album information

Title: Share the Wealth | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Blue Note Records

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