CD review: David Friesen Circle 3 Trio – Interaction 2019: Video, CD cover

Creating sublime musical structures over the last five decades, where risk-taking, rhythmic rapport, and giving of oneself to the music are the essence, legendary bassist David Friesen’s music continues to reach new pinnacles of profound expression.

On disc one, his long-touring, closely knit trio with saxophonist Joe Manis and drummer Charlie Doggett went into a Portland studio to record 13 new works by Friesen. Disc Two, with Manis and Australia-based drummer, Reuben Bradley, is a bristling live performance from Vienna’s Porgy & Bess jazz club during their Spring 2019 European tour. Thriving on selfless awareness and their uncanny compatibility, the trio’s joyful interactions offer surprise, beauty, and depth at every turn. “…a fabulous musical fabric with rippling and sometimes broodingly percussive, tumbling grooves upon which foundation he creates a unique sonic architecture.”

Disc 1 / 2

1. Neves 4:02
2. Cross Fire 3:58
3. Sequence 7:03
4. Flight of the Angels 4:12
5. New Tune Blue 3:50
6. Exclusively Yours 5:34
7. 1969 Rolls Royce 4:20
8. In House 4:34
9. Interaction 4:54
10. Soft as Silk 6:06
11. Skip Trip 4:51
12. No Dollars, No Cents 4:29
13. Evening Spring 3:11

Disc 2 / 2

1. Song For Tristan 5:02
2. Flight of the Angels 3:53
3. Skip Trip 8:38
4. Going Forth 5:41
5. At Last, At Rest 7:05
6. Off Center 6:22
7. Distant Shores 4:35
8. Basic Strategy 7:00
9. My Faith, My Life 3:33

DAVID FRIESEN – hemage bass, piano (One: 3,7,10,13, Two: 4,9)
JOE MANIS – tenor, soprano sax
CHARLIE DOGGETT – drums (Disc One)
REUBEN BRADLEY – drums (Disc Two)