This set collects an assortment of guitarist Frisell's works for the ECM label from 1982-1987. It affords a glimpse that his main titles alone can't provide, in that it culls from sessions done for other leaders. Besides tracks from albums by Paul Motian and Paul Bley, there's also the traditional "Black Is The colour Of My True Love's Hair", done by the collective Bass Desires trio (with bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Peter Erskine). WORKS includes everything from an open-ended tone poem ("The Beach", from IN LINE) to a Copland-esque small ensemble ("When We Go", from RAMBLER), and a prayer-like solo reverie ("Etude" from the Paul Motian Band's PSALM).
As with all ECM productions, the sound is breathtakingly clear. This is not a complete overview of Frisell's widely varied work, but it is a fine sampler and a suitable entry point for anyone unfamiliar with his catalogue.|
Rovi