August 14, 2020
Acclaimed guitarist Bill Frisell has released his second Blue Note album Valentine featuring his trio with bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Rudy Royston. The guitarist discusses the new album on the latest episode of “First Look” with Blue Note President Don Was, watch below.
A 13-song set that mixes Frisell originals new and old, jazz standards, traditional songs, and covers, Valentine explores the creative freedom of the trio format and the profound relationship that exists between these three musicians after years of touring. The album was produced by Lee Townsend, recorded by Tucker Martine, and features cover artwork by Carole D’Inverno, graphic design by Luke Jacobs, and videos by Monica Jane Frisell.
Critical praise for Valentine:
“On Valentine, they consistently and strikingly play as one, voices intertwined, completing phrases as if sharing a single thought… Even though the selections on Valentine hail from a range of styles the performances represent jazz playing at its most sublime.”—DownBeat (5-star “Masterpiece”)
“Guitar great Bill Frisell explores the creative freedom of the trio format on his new album, Valentine, alongside his longtime trio compadres bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Rudy Royston… this trio performs a wide-ranging program of Frisell compositions old and new as well as classics and standards, showcasing the profound musical relationship they have formed in their years of touring together.”—JAZZIZ
“a Frisellian mix of down-home and moody, abstract and endearingly direct… the album draws to a spirited close with touching renditions of ‘What the World Needs Now Is Love’ and ‘We Shall Overcome’.”—JazzTimes
“With Valentine, Frisell, Royston and Morgan revel in the tight but loose interplay that is a hallmark of the best groups, plying a course as deeply lyrical as it is adventurous. Feels like the beginning of a great adventure.”—AllAboutJazz
“Valentine showcases the limitless creativity, the artful spontaneity, and the intuition and trust with which Frisell, Morgan, and Royston perform their tunes. The album delivers a love letter to the tunes, to the listeners, and to the trio itself.”—No Depression
“a road-tested band at their best in the studio… Frisell is one of the most lyrical guitarists that’s ever picked up the instrument.”—Glide Magazine
“[‘We Shall Overcome’ is] about as beautiful an instrumental as you’ll ever hear. Frisell’s leads are nothing short of a work of art, letting the powerful melody take up as much space as it needs, all the while wrapping it in silky-smooth jazz touches that’ll leave you shaking your head in wonder.”—Guitar World
