Among The Many Things To Look Forward To This Spring, Here Is Something (yet again)

I have in the past been pretty clear in my admiration for drummer Paul Motian and his music making endeavors. Motian now is 80 and has not one but two new recordings (both on the Winter & Winter label) set to appear. Information on Windmills of Your Mind is here and on Live at the Village Vanguard, III is here.

Lost in a Dream ~ Paul Motian Trio

Paul Motian Trio at the Village Vanguard, February 2009.
Photograph © Hiroyuki Ito/The New York Times.

I have posted here several times about drummer Paul Motian and his music. Here is an interview with Motian that WNYC broadcast last week. It gives me an excuse to come back and talk again about his newly released trio album. The music, on which Motian collaborates with pianist Jason Moran and tenor saxophonist Chris Potter, was recorded live at the Village Vanguard last year. I'd been waiting for the record to turn up and it finally arrived a couple of days ago. I've been playing it more or less non-stop. (Susan is being quite patient!) So, I thought I would share one of the numbers the trio performs.

Paul Motian Trio, "Blue Midnight" from Lost in a Dream (ECM, 2010).

Enthusiasms (29) ~ Paul Motian

I've not heard a note from this recording; it won't be released for a few weeks. However, I am totally certain that it will be simply terrific. Paul Motian was the very first musician to elicit my enthusiasm in public and I've noted his work on several occasions since. Chris Potter and Jason Moran are perfect co-conspirators. Look up "anticipation" in the dictionary ~ you'll find my smiling visage.