This is Bill Frisell's second date as a leader on ECM and the first to fully showcase his strong and unique voice, both as a guitarist and a composer. His stellar quintet includes Kenny Wheeler on trumpet, Paul Motian on drums, Bob Stewart on bass and Jerome Harris on electric bass. Frisell's seven compositions run the gamut, from the opening fanfare of "Tone" to the evocative balladry of the title tune and "Strange Meeting". "Music I Heard" is at once cinematic and Ives-ian, with its slowly approaching parade band that then continues on by.
At this early point in his career, the number of sessions on which Frisell appeared was increasing monthly. And with good reason. He plays with a varied palette that is always imbued with rich and warm character. With RAMBLER, his voice as a composer is similarly delineated. As with all ECM productions, this recording is elegantly rendered with crystalline clarity.|
Rovi