Artist: Dorian Ford

Date of Release:

Catalogue no: 733

Label: -

Price: £6

Add to Shopping Basket

Track Listing

Dorian Ford: piano
Max de Wardener: organ pedal

A recording of free improvisations for solo piano (although 3 pieces have a church organ pedal drone) made in St Margaret's Church, Putney. The emphasis is on stillness and a purity of atmosphere. The pieces pay homage to Keith Jarrett, Morton Feldman, Persian classical music, John Adams and Paul Bley. All the pieces were recorded on the same day and appear on the CD in the order they were played.

Reviews

05/09/2006 Ian Mann

The album was recorded at St. Margaret's Church, Putney in October 2001 over the course of a single day and the pieces were played in the same order as they appear on the CD. Besides his jazz training at Berklee College, Boston, USA Ford has also studied classical piano extensively and both these aspects of his playing can be heard here.

The music fulfils Ford's aims of "stillness and purity of atmosphere" and although the Jarrett influence is readily apparent Ford also cites Morton Feldman, Persian classical music, John Adams and Paul Bley as inspirations.

There are eight short pieces rather than a sprawling single improvisation a la Jarrett. "Talk To The Chords" is reminiscent of Jarrett's gospel stylings, whereas "Modern Memory" owes more to contemporary classical composition.

"Trilogy" features the drone of an organ pedal operated by Max de Wardener (who also produces the album). This, combined with Ford's use of the piano innards adds something of a sepulchral tone to the atmosphere of the church.

The low-key atmospherics of "Piano" are something of an acquired taste but confirm Ford as a highly versatile and individual talent deserving of greater recognition.

04/01/2002 Mark de Brito

Its technically very interesting. I enjoy the many stylistic allusions in it: a ghost of the blues, minimalism, an Eastern flavour, contemporary jazz, Debussy, Bach, etc. But Ford has completely integrated his influences. Its a very individual approach. Subjectively, I also find it really beautiful, the purity and atmosphere he creates.