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Larry Grenadier: The Gleaners

By Karl Ackermann
February 17, 2019
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Bassist

Larry Grenadier

bass, acoustic
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Larry Grenadier has a most impressive resume: multiple recordings with

Herbie Mann

flute
1930 - 2003

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Mann,

Paul Motian

drums
1931 - 2011

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Motian,

Charles Lloyd

saxophone
b.1938

" data-original-title="" title="">Charles Lloyd, trumpeter/brother

Phil Grenadier

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Phil Grenadier, vocalist/wife

Rebecca Martin

guitar
b.1969

" data-original-title="" title="">Rebecca Martin,

Chris Potter

saxophone, tenor
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Chris Potter,

Joshua Redman

saxophone
b.1969

" data-original-title="" title="">Joshua Redman,

Jamie Saft

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Jamie Saft, and many others. His brand has long been enhanced by his stellar work with

Pat Metheny

guitar
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Metheny and a twenty-plus-year association with

" data-original-title="" title="">Brad Mehldau. It's not surprising that Grenadier hasn't released a solo album, given the relative rarity of stand-alone bass recordings, but The Gleaners proves to be worth the wait.

This solo debut was urged on by ECM founder Manfred Eicher and includes seven original compositions and an eclectic mix of covers. The brief opening bowed piece "Oceanic," provides a beautiful, plaintive start that gives way to a feel-good tribute to

Oscar Pettiford

bass
1922 - 1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Oscar Pettiford, an early inspiration for Grenadier. "Gone Like the Season Does" retains the unique warmth, and sharp edges, of Rebecca Martin's original vocal version. Grenadier includes an interesting medley drawing from very different composers with

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane's "Compassion" and

Paul Motian

drums
1931 - 2011

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Motian's "The Owl of Cranston." The bassist emphasizes the differences with technique but creates a natural blending of the pieces. There is a good deal of variability in the styles on The Gleaners with the quirky folksiness of "Woebegone," the intricate and tightly articulated "Bagatelle 2," a drone-like quality of "A Novel In a Sigh" and a fresh deep-toned take on George Gershwin's "My Man's Gone Now."

Grenadier's relationship with the iconic ECM label dates back two decades, beginning with Lloyd's The Water Is Wide (1999) and including the

Mark Turner

saxophone, tenor
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Mark Turner/

Jeff Ballard

drums
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeff Ballard Fly Trio and recordings with guitarist

Wolfgang Muthspiel

guitar
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Wolfgang Muthspiel, who contributes here as a composer. Eicher has an affinity for solo bass recordings, having hosted

Dave Holland

bass
b.1946

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Holland,

Eberhard Weber

bass
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Eberhard Weber,

Barre Phillips

bass
b.1934

" data-original-title="" title="">Barre Phillips and

Miroslav Vitous

bass
b.1947

" data-original-title="" title="">Miroslav Vitous in such settings, and it's illuminating to hear Grenadier as he executes on beautifully orchestrated ballads, spare vignettes and improvisations. As intelligent, clever and technically gifted as he is, Grenadier always puts the song first and it makes for great listening.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Oceanic; Pettiford; The Gleaner; Woebegone; Gone Like the Season Does; Compassion / The Owl of Cranston; Vineland; Lovelair; Bagatelle 1; Bagatelle 2; My Man��s Gone Now; A Novel In a Sigh.

Personnel

Larry Grenadier

bass, acoustic

Larry Grenadier: double bass.

Album information

Title: The Gleaners | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: ECM Records

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