As promised, modern guitarist legend Bill Frisell and I discuss his new Record “Valentine,” Covid brain, and playing live with no audience. We also compare Jazzmasters.
10 thoughts on “The Bill Frisell Interview”
This is great. The mention of the old Yoshi’s in Oakland gave me a pang. I saw so many wonderful players there during the 90s. One of Tony Williams’ last gigs was one. One of the greatest was the Abdullah Ibrahim trio. My friend and I sat two feet away and caught both sets, just glorious stuff.
I saw some great stuff at the new Yoshi’s, too, but the sound was not the same.
What amazes me the most about Bill is that you can hear, see, learn every note and chord he plays and still don’t understand from where comes the magic…is it his touch, his way of telling musical stories…? Well…I just thank him for not persevering in the path to become another John McLaughlin (I read on some DOWNBEAT that when his was young, he was trying to learn McLaughlin’s style and technique but simply couldn’t do it – and who can?)…
This is great. The mention of the old Yoshi’s in Oakland gave me a pang. I saw so many wonderful players there during the 90s. One of Tony Williams’ last gigs was one. One of the greatest was the Abdullah Ibrahim trio. My friend and I sat two feet away and caught both sets, just glorious stuff.
I saw some great stuff at the new Yoshi’s, too, but the sound was not the same.
What amazes me the most about Bill is that you can hear, see, learn every note and chord he plays and still don’t understand from where comes the magic…is it his touch, his way of telling musical stories…? Well…I just thank him for not persevering in the path to become another John McLaughlin (I read on some DOWNBEAT that when his was young, he was trying to learn McLaughlin’s style and technique but simply couldn’t do it – and who can?)…
Thanks for the interview, Michael!
A friend once said that if you slow McLaughlin down to half-speed it sounds like Bill – haven’t tried it. 😉
You and Bill touched on the music of Thelonious Monk, and I thought of the A. Summers work where he explored it…and it was cool.
https://andysummers.com/music/solo/green-chimneys/
Good point!
Thanks for sharing this!
Thank you for this, Michael.
Thanks Adam – enjoyed your Chasing Frets interview
Fascinating and welcome interview from a superb artist. Thanks for doing this
Inside the mind of Bill Frisell A fascinating interview.