...a consistantly rewarding piano-trio album...
Jazz lovers who chose pianist Bill Anschell as "Northwest Instrumentalist of the Year" in 2005 will welcome his finest work to date. Featuring many of Anschell's favorite Seattle players, the new recording is a mix of standards (including both spontaneous performances and Anschell's irreverent "derangements"), and Anschell's own compositions reflecting his passion for rhythmic experimentation, with influences as diverse as South Indian classical music, traditional Cuban drumming, and New Orleans funk.
Anschell's previous CDs have enjoyed lengthy stays on the jazz radio charts, and his 1996 release, "a different note all together," was selected by UPI as one of the "10 Best" jazz recordings of the year. He has toured extensively in Europe and South America, both leading his own trio and as pianist/musical director for vocalist Nnenna Freelon. Anschell's compositions have been featured on network television, cable, and as the theme music for the widely syndicated radio program "JazzSouth."
Track Listing:
1. Night and Day 5:21
2. Bent 6:15
3. Crazy He Calls Me 4:34
4. Emily 5:47
5. As the Crow Flies 6:15
6. Humble Origins 7:59
7. Alone Togetherr 6:44
8. I'll Take Romance 5:27
9. Morning Fog 5:55
10. Faster than the Speed of Mildew 5:25
11. At the End of the Day 6:10
Performers:
BILL ANSCHELL piano
JEFF JOHNSON - bass (2,3,6,7,9,11)
JOHN BISHOP - drums (2,3,6,7,9,11)
DOUG MILLER - bass (1,4,5,8,10)
JOSE MARTINEZ - drums (1,4,5,8,10)
RICHARD COLE - tenor and soprano sax (5,9,10)
THOMAS MARRIOTT - trumpet and flugelhorn (2,6)
Production Info:
Produced by Bill Anschell
Original compositions and all arrangements
copyright 2006, Bill Anschell,
& published by Blow Hard Music
Recorded 3/2/06 and 6/22/06 at
Studio X, Seattle, Washington
Recording engineer: Reed Ruddy
Mixed by Reed Ruddy & Bill Anschell at Studio X
Additional mixing by Bill Anschell and
Larry Anschell at Turtle Recording Studios,
White Rock, BC
Mastered by Mark Guenther,
Seattle Disc Mastering
CD cover artwork by Deb Choat
Design and layout by John Bishop
Reviews of More To The Ear Than Meets The Eye
All About Jazz (Dan McClenaghan)
Pianist Bill Anschell has carved out a fairly high profile for himself as an accompanist and arranger, most recently on vocalist Jeff Baker's vibrant Monologue (OA2 Records, 2005), and previously with his stint touring and recording as musical director for Nnenna Freelon from 1992-96. With More to the Ear Than Meets the Eye, Anschell steps out as l ...
JazzTimes, February 2007 (Thomas Conrad)
More to the Ear Than Meets the Eye is a consistently rewarding piano-trio album. Its freshness and creative strength is different on every track. There are two guests, saxophonist Richard Cole (three tunes) and trumpeter/flugelhornist Thomas Marriott (two). The horns appear only on Anschell originals, whos melodies linger in the mind. "Humble Origi ...
www.jazzradio247.com (John Nyerges)
This Origin Records 2006 release starts with deconstructing the melody Night & Day and has wonderful rhythms (!!) floating over the bar lines. Monkisms, use of space, ? time feel, and the chordal voicings are all very musical. The accompaniment of Miller and Martinez is top shelf here (as is everyone on this CD).
Then comes an original tune more r ...
Times Colonist, January 7, 2007 (Joseph Blake)
Seattle-based Bill Anschell's latest CD features a stellar ensemble of that city's finest jazz musicians playing an exciting repertoire of cleverly reshaped standards and Anschell's soulful, poignant originals. A pair of rhythm teams (Jeff Johnson and John Bishop, Doug Miller and Jose Martinez) anchor the recording's fluid, playful melodies, provid ...
All Music Guide (Adam Greenberg)
On More to the Ear Than Meets the Eye, pianist Bill Anschell provides a nice set of pieces showcasing his technical abilities as well as his ear for composition and arrangement. Two different rhythm sections are used for the recording, but Anschell remains in the front regardless. While many pianists are trying to stay in the background more and mo ...
Cadence, Oct-Nov 2007 (Jerome WIlson)
Bill Anschell is one of those pianists who likes to toy mercilessly with a melody. He proves this right off the bat by taking apart "Night And Day" to the point where it's barely recognizable, though his rhythm section of Doug Miller and Jose Martinez prevent his extrapolations, tempo changes, and insertions getting too far off the track. The rest ...
The Davis Enterprise, Thursday Oct. 4 (Ric Bang)
It's clear that the Pacific Northwest - and Seattle in particular - have become a serious and thriving jazz center.
Pianist Bill Anschell makes his home in that area. This CD features his basic trio - piano, bass and drums - on nine of the 11 tracks; he adds a sax on three cuts, and a trumpet on two others. Five of the tunes are familiar standar ...
