Arild Andersen is ECM royalty. He’s been with the label for almost as long as there’s been a label to be with, having played on Jan Garbarek’s ‘Afric Pepperbird’- the seventh release – in 1971. As bassist, bandleader and composer he has appeared on a great many recordings over the years, for ECM and elsewhere, yet ‘Landloper’ is his first entirely solo outing. Released this week, shortly after Andersen turned 79 last month, it was recorded live at Victoria Nasjonal Jazzscene, Oslo in 2020, together with one track – the opener, ‘Peace Universal’ – recorded at his home. It’s also a proper live album in the sense that all of the material, including electronic loops and effects, was created in real time, in the moment of performance.
The use of the various pedal-driven loops means that several tracks have an almost orchestral feel, with washes of sound forming the backdrop to Andersen’s virtuoso bass playing. His plucked, pizzicato playing is still astoundingly fast when it needs to be, with impeccable intonation, while his bowing is also used for live sampling that can conjure up the sound of a saxophone or a seal. Whatever he’s doing, Andersen seems able to communicate real lyricism and tenderness in a way that many co-instrumentalists fail to do. Original compositions such as the alluring ‘Dreamhorse’, an absolute stand-out whose insistent riff cues in an almost hypnotic, trance-inducing sense of wellbeing, are coupled with some beautifully chosen standards. Charlie Haden’s ‘Song for Che’, Ornette’s ‘Lonely Woman’ and Albert Ayler’s ‘Ghosts’ share space with a traditional folk tune. ‘Old Stev’, and ‘A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square’, which has been part of Andersen’s repertoire for some time.
It’s all very impressive and lovely to listen to without being facile, with a relatively short duration that makes it easy to play again and again. The aforementioned ‘Dreamhorse’ is a true classic that once experienced you might find difficult to leave. Pair it with a listen on Spotify to Andersen’s performance on another classic from more than half a century ago, Karin Krog’s track ‘Mr Joy’ from 1968, and you can see how perfectly poised his art has always been, since way back when. To see Andersen perform ‘Landloper’ live in the UK, where he has toured many times in numerous formats, including in bands with Tommy Smith or Andy Sheppard, would be a real treat.
Release Date is today, 29 November 2024
