Little Played Little Bird

Okay, along with a lot of you, I haven't explored the music of Ornette Coleman to the extent that I probably should have. I've "always" admired "Lonely Woman," and as Bishop explains, on a disc of Coleman tunes that nobody ever does, "Lonely Woman" is the exception because, he writes, "I've been playing it for 20 years and it deserves to be here." Bishop's quintet includes two reedmen, Richard Cole and Tim Willcox, who join forces with Weber Iago, piano, Bill Athens, bass, and Bishop on drums. Much of the music here is, indeed "Coleman-esque" and somewhat outside my usual listening habits, but a few tunes are a bit more accessible from a melodic and rhythmic standpoint. These included "Feet Music," "Friends and Neighbors" and the funky "Country Town Blues." Then there's Coleman's all time "hit," the very earthy and mysterious "Lonely Woman." A point of interest here is that Portland drum hero Dick Berk informed Bishop that the literal meaning of Ornette's name is "Little Bird." Hence, the title of the CD. You may have to stretch a bit to arrive at the doorway to this music, but it's a worthwhile exercise. Think what you may, Coleman's music is something unique and often very expressive.