Jeff Gauthier Goatette - One and the Same

[GA Russell]

At the same time that I was given an advance copy of the new Bennie Maupin album, I was also given an advance copy of another Cryptogramophone CD by The Jeff Gauthier Goatette entitled One and the Same.

Gautier is a violinist. In the 70s I got a couple of Jean-Luc Ponty things, and in the 80s a couple of albums by Didier Lockwood. But it's been that long since I've heard a new violin record.

The personnel is Gauthier on violin, Nels Cline on guitar, David Witham on piano, Joel Hamilton on bass and Alex Cline on drums.

It took me a few days to remember what this reminds me of, and then it clicked. In the early 80s I was a regular customer of a mail order house called Wayside Music, which was operated by Steve Feigenbaum. Today Feigenbaum is known as the head honcho of Cuneiform Records.

At that time, Wayside dealt solely with cutouts from the last half of the 70s of either jazz or prog rock. But the jazz was not fusion or anything that I have seen rereleased since. It was by bands of young white musicians who apparently were being marketed to those who liked Soft Machine, Caravan and the other Canterbury prog rock groups. By the way, as I recall many of these LPs were on major labels like Atlantic and Arista.

One and the Same fits right into that mold. It is jazz without much blues or black sound. There are seven songs totalling 72 minutes of music. Some of the pieces have a little of the non-ethereal ECM sound from the late 70s and early 80s. But much of the album has that Wayside Music sound.

I like it. It's laid back without being tranquil. Much of its appeal is in the harmony provided by Nels Cline on guitar, or in the interplay between Gauthier and Joel Hamilton on bass.

Those of you who are Blue Note hard boppers might not go for this, but those who would like something different would probably enjoy it.

Like the Maupin album, this goes on sale May 9.

CD Universe says: List Price $17.98; Their Price $14.29; Pre-Order Price $12.59.

[GA Russell]

Here are the liner notes:

One and the Same

by The Jeff Gauthier Goatette

One and the Same is violinist Jeff Gauthier’s fourth CD as a leader, and features guitarist Nels Cline of Wilco. Gauthier has been named a Downbeat Critics Poll Rising Star for two years in a row as both instrumentalist and producer. One and the Same features music by Gauthier, Nels Cline, Eric von Essen, and Bennie Maupin. “Gauthier and his group show how it should be done, rooting themselves solidly in the jazz tradition while at the same time extending and revitalizing it.” -Bill Tilland, BBC Online.

Notes on the compositions:

1. Ahfufat – for Wan - This piece was written by Jeff Gauthier and is dedicated to Naomi Xinwan, Padma Cline, the lovely 3 year-old daughter of Alex and Karen Cline. When Wan, (as she is known) was younger, she called Gauthier “Ahfufat,” which was her way of saying “Uncle Jeff.” The composed part of this piece harkens back to a sound reminiscent of the band Quartet Music (1979 – 1991) Gauthier’s ensemble with the Cline brothers and bassist Eric von Essen. The piece begins with an “A” section that is rhythmically displaced to give an open, improvised impression. The “A” section is stated again, only straight through in time, and then the “B” section which develops the ideas stated in the “A” section, is introduced. A “space-jam” ensues highlighting the electronic improvisations of guitarist Nels Cline, and keyboardist David Witham. This breaks down to a free duo-improvisation between Gauthier and drummer Alex Cline. The duet evolves into more “space-jam” involving all of the musicians until the “A” and “B” sections of the tune are played again.

2. Solflicka – This piece is by the late Eric von Essen, the great composer and original bass player of Quartet Music, and the Goatette. It was one of the pieces discovered by Gauthier after von Essen’s death, and was considered for inclusion of The Music of Eric von Essen series on Cryptogramophone. Von Essen spent the last 2 years of his life in Sweden where this tune was written, and Solflicka means “a ray of sunshine” in Swedish. The “A” section of the tune justaposes a two-chord vamp in 4/4 time which moves through some interesting modulations, with a running eighth-note figure that extends the underlying harmony in interesting ways. The bridge is in 3/4 time and is repeated twice. It features a rhythmic and melodic anticipation that imparts a feeling of breathlessness, which is resolved when an abbreviated “A” section returns. The solos alternate between improvisations on the intricate chord changes, with open blowing on the vamp.

3. Water Torture – This piece is by bass clarinet legend Bennie Maupin, and was featured on the album Crossings by Herbie Hancock’s Mwandishi band of the early seventies. This band was of particular influence to all the members of the Goatette, so much so that Gauthier organized a performance of the albums Crossings and Mwandishi in Los Angeles in 2004. Since then some of the material has remained in the Goatette’s repertoire. This piece is an excellent vehicle for improvisation featuring the electronic effects of Gauthier, Nels Cline, and David Witham. These improvisations alternate with statements of the head. Of particular note is an improvised bass/violin duet by Gauthier and Hamilton. Echoes of the original recording can be heard by those familiar with the album Crossings by Herbie Hancock.

4. Don’t Answer That – This Nels Cline composition was offered for the session to fill the need for another “blowing tune”. Here’s what Nels says about it. “Don’t Answer That is intentionally playful, an excuse to attempt some free soloing/counterpoint, with a little vamping thrown in for good measure.”

5. Heart Wisdom – for Thelma - Heart Wisdom came into being as a duo improvisation by Gauthier and David Witham. It emerged almost fully formed one day while Jeff and David were improvising and rolling tape. All that was required was to add a few repeats and create a form around it. It is dedicated to Thelma Cline, mother of Alex and Nels. We thought about her a lot during the recording session, and her loving presence was felt by all.

6. Rina Pt. I – This is an Eric von Essen piece that was part of Quartet Music’s regular repertoire. It was recorded by QM in the late 80s for a now out of print CD on Delos entitled Summer Night. When the Goatette became the ensemble in residence at the Cryptnight series at the Club Tropical in Los Angeles, they started playing Rina because it seemed well suited to the electric piano that they were forced to use for the lack of a real piano at the club. The tune fit so well with the group, that it is now in the regular repertoire of the Goatette. Interestingly, those gigs at the Club Tropical were where the new, more electronic voice of the Goatette was discovered.

7. A Corner of Morning – Nels Cline says of his music: “In my dreams, this piece has something to do with the music/compositions of Keith Jarrett in the mid-1970s. It also has a lot to do with the players involved: their styles, their predilections, their sensitivities. It endeavors to be both wistfully poignant and rather uplifting, just as those moments between darkness and dawn can be delicately intoxicating and/or slightly scary. Mortality in all its awesome fragility.”

Liner Notes

I would like to thank the lads o’ the Goatette: Alex Cline, Nels Cline, David Witham, and Joel Hamilton. Alex, Nels, and I have been playing music together since 1979. I’ve played with David since 1991, and Joel since 1994. I could not ask for any more accomplished musicians, or more supportive friends. This recording was truly a group effort. Listening to it in the context of our three previous releases, I’m amazed at how the overall sound of our group has changed and grown over the years, while our individual voices have become even more our own.

Special thanks to Rich, Walter, Bennie, Denny, Tyler, Crouch, Etan, QC, Catherine, Carlos, Thelma, Naomi, Karen, and my 98 year-young Aunt Helen, who was my very first violin teacher, and who continues to inspre me today. JG

Produced by Jeff Gauthier

Recorded April 9-10, 2005 at O’Henry Studios – Burbank, CA

Recorded and mixed by Rich Breen

Mastered by Dave Collins

Paintings “connections” by Deanne Belinoff

Photo by Yvonne Suter

Graphic design by Gareth Jiffeau

[GA Russell]

Here's Gauthier's bio:

The Jeff Gauthier Goatette

“Gauthier's compositions are quirky and offbeat, bubbling with unexpected rhythms and occasional warm lyricism.”

– Don Heckman, L.A. Times

One and the Same is violinist Jeff Gauthier’s fourth CD as a leader. He calls his ensemble The Jeff Gauthier Goatette to institutionalize the lifelong humiliation of his childhood nickname. Gauthier’s musical universe was exploded at an early age by influences as diverse as J.S. Bach, Igor Stravinsky, Olivier Messiaen, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, Ralph Towner, John McLaughlin, and King Crimson. The core of the Goatette has been together since 1991, and Gauthier has been performing and recording with brothers Nels and Alex Cline since 1979. This new CD features works by Gauthier, Nels Cline, Bennie Maupin, and former band member Eric von Essen.

Violinist, composer and producer Jeff Gauthier has been named a Downbeat “Rising Star” as both an instrumentalist and producer for the last two years running. He has worked with many prominent musicians in a variety of creative contexts during a career that has spanned over 20 years. As an improvising violinist he has performed and recorded with Yusef Lateef and Adam Rudolph for Meta Records, The Alex Cline Ensemble for ECM, Nine Winds & Cryptogramophone Records, the Cline Gauthier Stinson trio for Cryptogramophone and Nine Winds Records, and The Vinny Golia Large Ensemble and Quartetto Stig for Nine Winds Records. His own ensemble, the Jeff Gauthier Goatette has recorded four CDs including Internal Memo and The Present for Nine Winds and Mask for Cryptogramophone. Gauthier has also performed in ensembles with bassist Mark Dresser (Banquet) and drummer/percussionist Gregg Bendian (Bone Structure). As a founding member of the ensemble Quartet Music (with Nels Cline, Alex Cline and Eric von Essen) in the late 70s, Gauthier recorded four albums, received two NEA grants, toured with the California Arts Council touring roster, and performed twice as soloist with the Milwaukee Symphony. Gauthier also founded and produced the Cryptonight and Inner Ear new music concert series in Los Angeles.

In demand as a producer of jazz and new music recordings, Gauthier has worked with such jazz luminaries as Alan Broadbent, Nels Cline, Mark Dresser, Peter Erskine, Bill Frisell, Lou Levy, Bennie Maupin, Myra Melford, Jimmy Rowles, Stacy Rowles, Alan Pasqua, Don Preston, and many others, having produced CDs for Cryptogramophone, Delos and Nine Winds Records.

In a former life as a concert violinist, Gauthier has performed with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Music Center Opera, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Long Beach Symphony, the Oregon Bach Festival and the Carmel Bach Festival. He performed on the 2000 Grammy Award winning CD Credo, by Krzysztof Penderecki with the Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra and Chorus.

Gauthier is a graduate of California Institute of the Arts.

[Adam]

Gauthier runs the Cryptonight series at Club Tropical (or is it Cafe Tropical). A good guy. The Cryptogramophone label is rather interesting, IMHO.

I had something more to say, but I've blanked for the moment.

[Adam]

At the same time that I was given an advance copy of the new Bennie Maupin album, I was also given an advance copy of another Cryptogramophone CD by The Jeff Gauthier Goatette entitled One and the Same.

Gautier is a violinist. In the 70s I got a couple of Jean-Luc Ponty things, and in the 80s a couple of albums by Didier Lockwood. But it's been that long since I've heard a new violin record.

Oh yeah,

GA, if you like this, I would check out work by Jenny Scheinman.

Also, for violin work of a different nature, you simply must investigate Billy Bang, who most assuredly incorporates "much blues or black sound"

There is definitely some interesting jazz violin work going on these days.

[GA Russell]

Thanks for the suggestions, Adam. I've never heard of Jenny Scheinman before.

This goes on sale Tuesday.

I see that CD Universe now has sound samples of it up on their website.

[GA Russell]

Now available from eMusic here:

http://www.emusic.com/album/10917/10917971.html

Apparently you can listen to it all there.

[Guest akanalog]

can you give examples of the bands being marketed in the late 70s that feigenbaum was selling cutouts of?

[GA Russell]

AK, I'll make a note to go through my database tomorrow to give you a list.

The violins that I remember right off the bat were Didier Lockwood and a Quebec band called Aquarelle.

[GA Russell]

AK, here are the artists my database says I picked up from Wayside Music between 1980 and 1986. My recollection is that the vast majority were recorded between 1975 and 1979.

Dom Um Romao

The Lounge Lizards

Stanley Cowell

Soft Machine

French TV

Captain Beefheart

Area

Kit Watkins

Gary Windo

Mother Mallard's Portable Masterpiece Co.

Happy the Man

Cyrille Verdeaux

Quiet Sun

Francois Breant

The Muffins

Peka Pohjola

Mike Oldfield

Alain Markusfeld

Elton Dean Quintet, Ninesense

Maneige

Neil Ardley

Klaus Schulze

Turning Point

Annette Peacock

Clearlight

Chick Corea

Robert Wyatt

National Health

Ben Mink

Paul Bley

Zytron

Gowen, Miller, Sinclair, Tomkins

Dean/Gallivan/Wheeler

Terry Plumeri

Ian Carr's Nucleus

El Skid

Vanessa

Transit Express

Allan Holdsworth

Wigwam

Dudu Pukwana

Heldon

Zao

Terje Rypdal

Khan

Mirage

Aquarelle

Cecil Taylor

Marc Hollander

Nova

Secret Oyster

National Health

Isotope

Sam Rivers

Kevin Ayers

Patrick Forgas

Cos

Gryphon

FM

Jack Lancaster and Robin Lumley

As I recall, all but a few exceptions cost $2.00 each.

[GA Russell]

I learned today that Jeff Gauthier is the owner of the Cryptogramophone label.

[GA Russell]

Here's what Doug Ramsey has to say about One and the Same in his Rifftides blog today:

The leader of The Jeff Gauthier Goatette is an acoustic and electric violinist, whose other instrument is listed as "effects." In One and the Same (Cryptogramophone), guitarist Nels Cline and pianist David Witham also play effects, meaning electronics. When all of the effects and all of Alex Cline's drums are working at once, as in a piece called "Water Torture," the result resembles random noise of the universe, the perfect accompaniment for astral travel. Nearly everywhere else in the album, the Goatette commits melody. Even in "Water Torture," there is an interval of lovely free improvisation between Gauthier's violin and Joel Hamilton's arco bass. Two pieces by the late Eric von Essen are particularly moving. Gauthier, not incidentally, is the moving force behind Cryptogramophone.