Timeline
Release Date: March 08, 2008
Steve Giordano Spacetet
Steve Giordano - Guitar
Peter Cobb - Alto Sax
Bob Meashey - Trumpet
John Mosemann - Drums
Brian Howell - Bass
Liner Notes
Timeline is the third CD of the Spacetet recorded at Red Rock Recording and the first on the Dreambox label. Engineer Kent Heckman did a superb job capturing the interactive subtleties contained within the music. I personally feel this is our best recorded CD thus far. The current Spacetet has been together for 4 years to date developing both new compositions and our rapport within our interactive ensemble playing. Timing of a recording for the Spacetet is extremely important for newer compositions because the timeline of a composition has three general stages:
Stage one – realization – this is where we try to capture the sound that replicates the composer’s original vision of the piece. This can be a trying process since only so much can be written on paper, so some things need to be discussed. Patience and an ego-less mentality are needed here. Although there is some freedom within the piece, we are on the conservative side of exploration at this stage.
Stage two – individualization – this is where the creativity of each band member starts to manifest, as their knowledge, familiarity, and feel for the piece allows them to depart even more from the written page, and onto a more personal contribution. This is done in a most delicate way that only enhances the original vision of the composer.
Stage three – crystalization – this final stage is a double edged sword. On the one hand the composition is ripe, tight, and played with conviction. As this stage progresses however, creative musicians get restless to break habits and begin to experiment again seeking diversity. While this in itself isn’t a bad thing, there are times when things are more forced and done out of restlessness rather than inspiration and thus becoming less organic. Don’t get me wrong, it’s all good and always creative, but I like the timing of a recording to be somewhere between the end of stage two and the beginning of stage three in the recording studio. Also noted here is this “formula” only applies to original compositions. Jazz standards are played all our musical jazz lives and with various musicians throughout. They are usually way into stage three so their creative success in an ensemble depends on the goals, depth, experience and interactivity between the players.
The Music:
Dolores Street – This Kenny Baron composition, while not a jazz standard, has evolved for me over the years in various musical projects. While originally written and played as a jazz waltz, it’s current form with the Spacetet on this particular recording session is in 4/4 due to my unplanned solo guitar intro. This exemplifies the open, interactive, loose attitude of the Spacetet. It was as if we always played it in 4/4. I like this version as it breathes new life into this striking piece.
Riverflo – I completed this piece about a month prior to this recording. It’s at the dawn of crystalization. I am happy with the vibe on this one but I confess I did redo my guitar solo for a second take – something I don’t like doing, but everything else was so beautiful that I didn’t want to re-record the who piece. Forgive me.
The Intrepid Fox – A Freddie Hubbard burner with a custom solo section: 6,6,6,and 2 bar phrases.
Summer Waltz – A personal favorite of all my compositions, Summer Waltz is beautiful, romantic, and expresses complex simplicity. The sensitivity of the Spacetet manifests here.
Fantasia – Bob Meashey’s gorgeous solo captures the feeling of this Brazilian composition I wrote about 10 years ago. I enjoyed overdubbing my electric guitar solo over my nylon Samba rhythm.
Stella by Starlight – Well, Stella is Stella and continues to be a favorite of most jazz musicians. The Spacetet is no exception -‘nuff said.
With Love – Reminds me of movie theme music. It would be nice to hear sung with beautiful lyrics and voice. I love to play and write ballads. I wrote it on the piano and unfortunately, I missed the piano when we rehearsed it so either I had to hire a pianist for one tune or practice my part. I practiced!
Villino Anna – I composed this one in Sicily at the Summer villa (Villino Anna) belonging to the family of my dear friend Andréa Quartarone. This unique piece offers some new elements for the Spacetet: 6/4 Samba, sparse solos on one chord vamps surrounded by orchestration. This piece evokes lots of playful, joyful feelings in a midst of pensive contemplation.
Recording Philosophy
The Spacetet’s recording philosophy puts spontaneity before perfection. It’s important to keep the material fresh so we rarely do more than one take of each tune. Instead, we opt to record more material than we will use and select the ones we like the best. This prevents trying to create upon something you are almost sick of hearing. There may be some small corrections on mishaps with the written parts. The solos, however, we try to keep “live” and real because this is how jazz is created. If someone is going to be miserable with their solo, he may do another take but at the expense of interaction. Jazz, much as life, is the mere striving for perfection. We hope the sensitivity and spontaneity are conveyed to the listener on this recording.
Steve Giordano
All compositions by Steve Giordano except Dolores Street (Kenny Baron), The Intrepid Fox (Freddie Hubbard), Stella by Starlight (Victor Young)
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