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Suite for Gaudí |
| The third installment in Noertker's epic Sketches of
Catalonia, Suite
for Gaudí takes us on a sonic tour of the strange and
wondrous world of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. From the
jaunty "Feathers in a Cap," to the wistful and austere "La Pedrera,"
from the hallucinatory soundscapes of "Toadstool Mosaic," to the
ethereal mysticism of "Parable," Noertker's Moxie constructs a surreal
aural portrait of this genius of Catalan architecture. In the last decade, Bill Noertker has composed over 150 original pieces of music for jazz ensemble. His compositions point to the continuity between the jazz tradition and the avant-garde. His use of group improvisation and his attention to the individual voices of each of his bandmates call forth the human element so sorely missing from much of today’s jazz.  |
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CD reviews |
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from the e-zine
Aiding & Abetting review by Jon Worley Bill Noertker's Catalan series is easily the most accessible stuff ever put out by Edgetone. But that's okay. It's awfully, awfully good, too. These songs were recorded live between 2001 and 2008, but they fit together quite well. Bill Noertker is a fine writer, and his many associates have a solid feel for the work. The album flows by seamlessly, despite the many years of recording. Just as remarkable is the consistency of said recordings. Yes, they were all done at the same venue, but the recording and mastering are impressive. There are slight differences, but not enough to distract. Noertker plays the contrabass, but he's got a fine sense
of melody. When these pieces get cooking, they really start to soar.
I'm impressed by the beauty and inventiveness here. As I've been
before. The three-disc Catalan suite (of which this is the third) is
one solid set. |
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