Before We Were Born
Encyclopedia
Before We Were Born is the first album by Bill Frisell
to be released on the Elektra Nonesuch
label. It was released in 1989 and features performances by Frisell, Hank Roberts
, Kermit Driscoll
, and Joey Baron
with guest appearances by Arto Lindsay
, Peter Scherer, Julius Hemphill
, Billy Drewes, Doug Wieselman, and Cyro Baptista
.
awarded the album 3½ stars stating "Bill Frisell has been one of the most unique jazz-based guitarists of the 1980s and '90s, a very eclectic player who can switch styles and sounds on a moment's notice, yet is always quite distinctive. On this atmospheric and picturesque set, Frisell uses his regular quartet of the time (cellist Hank Roberts, bassist Kermit Driscoll and drummer Joey Baron) on some selections, but also interacts with fellow guitarist Arto Lindsay, keyboardist Peter Scherer and, on "Some Song and Dance," baritonist Doug Wieselman and both Julius Hemphill and Billy Drewes on altos... A very intriguing and colorful set of eccentric music. ".
Bill Frisell
William Richard "Bill" Frisell is an American guitarist and composer.One of the leading guitarists in jazz since the late 1980s, Frisell's eclectic music touches on progressive folk, classical music, country music, noise and more...
to be released on the Elektra Nonesuch
Nonesuch Records
Nonesuch Records is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group and distributed by Warner Bros. Records.-Company history:Nonesuch was founded in 1964 by Jac Holzman to produce "fine records at the same price as a trade paperback", which would be half the price of a normal LP...
label. It was released in 1989 and features performances by Frisell, Hank Roberts
Hank Roberts
Hank Roberts is an American jazz cellist and vocalist. He plays the electric cello, and his style is a mixture of rock, jazz, avant garde, folk and classical influences...
, Kermit Driscoll
Kermit Driscoll
Kermit Driscoll is a New York City jazz bassist perhaps best known for his long association with guitarist Bill Frisell. He was born in Kearney, Nebraska....
, and Joey Baron
Joey Baron
Joey Baron is an American avant-garde jazz drummer probably best known for his work with Bill Frisell, Stan Getz, Steve Kuhn, and John Zorn...
with guest appearances by Arto Lindsay
Arto Lindsay
Arthur Morgan Lindsay is an American guitarist, singer, record producer and experimental composer. He is a 1974 graduate of Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida....
, Peter Scherer, Julius Hemphill
Julius Hemphill
Julius Arthur Hemphill was a jazz composer and saxophone player. He performed mainly on alto saxophone; less often soprano and tenor saxophones and flute.-Biography:...
, Billy Drewes, Doug Wieselman, and Cyro Baptista
Cyro Baptista
Cyro Baptista is a Brazilian musician, teacher, and recording artist specializing in percussion in the genres of jazz and world music....
.
Reception
The Allmusic review by Scott YanowScott Yanow
Scott Yanow is an American jazz commentator, known for many contributions to the Allmusic website, for writing ten books on jazz and for reviewing jazz recordings for over 30 years.-Biography:...
awarded the album 3½ stars stating "Bill Frisell has been one of the most unique jazz-based guitarists of the 1980s and '90s, a very eclectic player who can switch styles and sounds on a moment's notice, yet is always quite distinctive. On this atmospheric and picturesque set, Frisell uses his regular quartet of the time (cellist Hank Roberts, bassist Kermit Driscoll and drummer Joey Baron) on some selections, but also interacts with fellow guitarist Arto Lindsay, keyboardist Peter Scherer and, on "Some Song and Dance," baritonist Doug Wieselman and both Julius Hemphill and Billy Drewes on altos... A very intriguing and colorful set of eccentric music. ".
Track listing
- "Before We Were Born/Some Song and Dance" - 6:51
- "Freddy's Step" - 3:06
- "Love Motel" - 6:49
- "Pipsqueak" - 5:28
- "Goodbye" - 1:43
- "Hard Plains Drifter" - 13:24
- "The Lone Ranger" - 7:34
- "Steady Girl" - 2:10
- All compositions by Bill Frisell
Personnel
- Bill FrisellBill FrisellWilliam Richard "Bill" Frisell is an American guitarist and composer.One of the leading guitarists in jazz since the late 1980s, Frisell's eclectic music touches on progressive folk, classical music, country music, noise and more...
– electric and acoustic guitars, banjo - Hank RobertsHank RobertsHank Roberts is an American jazz cellist and vocalist. He plays the electric cello, and his style is a mixture of rock, jazz, avant garde, folk and classical influences...
– cello - Kermit DriscollKermit DriscollKermit Driscoll is a New York City jazz bassist perhaps best known for his long association with guitarist Bill Frisell. He was born in Kearney, Nebraska....
– bass - Joey BaronJoey BaronJoey Baron is an American avant-garde jazz drummer probably best known for his work with Bill Frisell, Stan Getz, Steve Kuhn, and John Zorn...
– drums, percussion, electronics - Arto LindsayArto LindsayArthur Morgan Lindsay is an American guitarist, singer, record producer and experimental composer. He is a 1974 graduate of Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida....
– electric guitar and vocals - Peter Scherer – keyboards and drum programming
- Julius HemphillJulius HemphillJulius Arthur Hemphill was a jazz composer and saxophone player. He performed mainly on alto saxophone; less often soprano and tenor saxophones and flute.-Biography:...
– alto saxophone - Billy Drewes – alto saxophone
- Doug Wieselman – baritone saxophone
- Cyro BaptistaCyro BaptistaCyro Baptista is a Brazilian musician, teacher, and recording artist specializing in percussion in the genres of jazz and world music....
– shaker