Connecting Spirits

by Scott Yanow Joseph Jarman, during the period when he was no longer a member of the Art Ensemble of Chicago , occasionally teamed up with pianist Marilyn Crispell . On this set of duets, Jarman (mostly heard on alto) often plays more melodically than expected, particularly on "For Joseph," and the first part of "Dear Lord." There is the expected intense interplay between the two masterful players on "Structure 1" and "Connectivity," with Crispell taking "MCPS" as a rather outside piano solo and Jarman's soprano being showcased solo on "Upper Reaches." Not everything works. "Meditation on a Vow of Compassion" is overlong and largely uneventful, but overall this is a stimulating set and it is nice to hear Jarman featured in this setting. Recorded live at the first Universalist Unitarian Society Meeting House in Madison, WIsonsin, January 12, 1996 Artwork By [Cover Image] – Andre Ferrella Design [Cd Packaging] – Amy Wencel Edited By – Tom Blain Engineer – Buzz Kemper Liner Notes – Tom Waters Photography [Concert] – Joseph Blough Producer – Scott Fields