Mr. Americana

Among jazz guitarists, Frisell is unique in his exploitation of variable timbre. Frisell's sound swells and breathes like a saxophonist's (interestingly, Frisell played clarinet as a child). In many ways his sound is reminiscent of a pedal steel guitar. And although his work is steeped in jazz, Frisell is a man of catholic tastes. His music includes characteristics of rock, country, and bluegrass, among various other styles. Such liberality explains his willingness to expand his tonal palette beyond that of the typical jazz guitarist. Where so many conventional jazz guitarists define themselves by how many notes they can play, Frisell has carved a niche by virtue of his sound. His ability as an original, lyrical player of melody combines with a unique (if much imitated) sound to make him one of the most singular musicians of his generation. (AM)

That being said, I think Bill Frisell is one of the best guitar players out there. I have seen him about half a dozen times and each time is a unique and great experience. Each time I saw him he had a different band. The first time I saw him was with John Zorn's Naked City Project. His guitar work in that project was extraordinary. The next time I saw him he had a quartet without a drummer or a bass player, but a Violin, Trumpet and Trombone. The Third time was in NYC at the Bottom Line with Victor Krauss and Jim Keltner. I was close to the front row and it was one of the best shows I have ever seen. The next time I saw him was with a world music quintet. Well you get the picture. He has back up musicians who are ever changing.



Don't ask me to pick an album for this post, because his albums are full of unique sounds and unique music too. It could sound very Jazzy or it could sound full of world music. In some instances it sounds rock too. He has an album that is called Nashville if you listen closely you can hear an very Country album with the layers of acoustic music he performs on it. Even when he guests on people albums his unusual spin makes the album a different kind of sound. I have him playing with Joe Lovano and Paul Motian and it's like Chamber Jazz. He guested on an ECM album after he left the label and it too is unique. The album is called Angel Song by Kenny Wheeler. The album has Dave Holland on Bass, Lee Konitz on Sax and Kenny Wheeler on Flugelhorn. The sound is way different then you expect, but when done listening you really see that Bill Frisell put his stamp on it. The album was in the top 10 albums of 1997. He has guested on peoples albums and his great sound has translated into a wonderful warmth of an music he plays. Even when he cover a song by another artist, he makes it his own.

When Bill does play people like myself wonder how he gets those beautiful sounds out of his guitar. His tone is entirely original and he keeps you guessing. I love the fact no matter what he does he still sounds totally unique, further more when he cover other artist (which he frequently does) he makes them sound his own or you forget how great the song is with his vision. He has covered such artists as Madonna, John Hiatt, Hank Williams, Bob Dylan, Ornette Coleman and even the song "Somewhere Over The Rainbow."



Bill's guitar playing is full of surprises. There is no cool solo's that make you want to put him in your guitar god status, but his guitar god status is the fact he can make any kind of sound out of that guitar and still make it wonderful.

I first heard of Bill Frisell back in 1988. I had no idea what to make of him. He was cool sounding, but he also had his little Avant-Garde sounds. He was toured with John Zorn Naked City and he blew my mind. I never thought his guitar playing was would be so powerful in this band. He was the only one who could pull it off. He even became more of a favorite with me because of the two albums where he did the music for silent Buster Keaton films. He is a man who no matter what he puts out I will always run out and get his stuff. His love for the Far Side comic too, is what also impressed me and this is my gift to you. If you want to try someome new and fun check out Bill Frisell. I promise you that you will never turn back and he might your favorite too.