Variety.com review of Bill Frisell, Ron Carter, Paul Motian show...

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Bill Frisell/Ron Carter/Paul Motian

(Blue Note; 250 seats; $35 top)

By DAVID SPRAGUE

Presented inhouse. Opened and reviewed Dec. 4, 2007. Closes Dec. 9.

It's a yeoman's task to ask a group of strong-willed musicians -- players accustomed to calling the shots -- to come together as a democratic unit. This heavily credentialed trio managed to do so on the self-titled Nonesuch album it released last year and confirmed that bond Tuesday night at the first perf of a much-anticipated Gotham stint.

The three musicians each maintained their distinct personalities -- Frisell waxing wry and puckish, Motian gruff but affable and Carter unflaggingly Zen-like -- while remaining locked into the nuances of the others. The trio kicked things off in warm, easy-going fashion with an urbane twist on Jimmy Davis' classic "You Are My Sunshine," which Frisell infused with a Wes Montgomery-styled languidness.

Carter took centerstage for the cinematic "Eighty-One," a tune that unfolded in origami-like fashion, evincing facets of swing, tense counterpoint and an almost Nino Rota-like cinematic vibe. That sense of surprise worked to the combo's benefit through most of the 75-minute set, but failed it at a few junctures -- such as "Abacus," a nonlinear piece that found all three players orbiting in search of a center that never came into focus.

They fell into lockstep rather nicely by the latter part of the set, however, gliding gracefully in tandem over the measures of Frisell's "Strange Meeting," a composition redolent of a windswept Iberian cliff -- and one that allowed Motian to step out in stellar fashion, traversing the breadth of his kit with a remarkable economy of (no pun intended) motion.

Set ended on a winsome note, in the form of an airy rendition of Lerner and Loewe's "On the Street Where You Live." The chestnut is trotted out so often that it can almost seem like incidental music, but on this evening, Frisell, Carter and Motian infused it with enough oomph to demand aud attention until the fading of the final note.

SOUND CHECK REPORT - BILL FRISELL, RON CARTER, PAUL MOTIAN

Bill Frisell arrived at the Blue Note just after 2pm to begin setting up his equipment. By 4pm, Ron Carter (wearing a suit and tie) and Paul Motian joined him on stage and without saying much to each other, they began to play. The trio had not performed together since recording their self-titled trio album last year, and they picked up right where they left off. Over the next two hours, the band went through their songbook, playing Frisell originals like Strange Meeting, standards like On The Street Where You Live and Little Waltz, and classics like You Are My Sunshine and A Change is Gonna Come. Little was said, and Frisell's voice was barely audible even in the empty club as he called out tunes to rehearse.

What makes this trio so special is not the individual musicians' abilties and their accomplishments or the novelty of them joining forces on stage. Rather, it's the level of communication they display as a trio and the sincerity with which the play their music. The interplay between all three musicians creates some of the most beautiful, heartfelt music around.

If you had a chance to catch this show, post your thoughts!

GRADY TATE PHOTOS

CHARLES NEVILLE WRAP-UP

The 2nd Neville Brother Charles threw some curveballs into the first set last night, playing old standards such as "Night and Day" and even throwing in his own version of the theme song from "The Price is Right." Neville was clearly enjoying his last night at the Blue Note, and Yang Ying broke up the set nicely when she came down for two songs to play the erhu. Very interesting music and a lot of fun.

CHARLES NEVILLE SOUND-CHECK PHOTOS

Charles Neville got to the Blue Note at around 3pm yesterday to prepare for sound check. A bouquet of flowers was sitting at the bar waiting for him, and as he warmed up in the dressing room, his band-mates began to unpack their instruments. The Blue Ntoe Blogger was on hand for the afternoon sound check and took some pictures of the group! Neville shares a lot of the spotlight with erhu player Yang Ying.

CHRIS BOTTI - TWO WEEK RESIDENCE!!! Dec. 10-25

Chris Botti will make an unprecedented run at the Blue Note - two weeks in December from the 10th to Christmas day, Dec. 25. Last year Sting showed up and sang with Botti, and the man is known to bring out all sorts of stars to the stage. The Blue Note Blogger will be on hand to document all of it. Anything specific you want to ask him? Post a comment and we'll get you an answer!

VERY SPECIAL GUESTS LATELY AT THE BLUE NOTE...

As the holidays get closer, "special guests" always seem to flock to the Blue Note stage. In the past we've had special holiday guests such as Stevie Wonder and Billy Joel. Just last weekend, Clark Terry played for two nights with his young quartet, and Bill Cosby dropped by to check out the scene. Once he was recognized, Clark brought him on stage and they did a little routine that had the audience rolling.

Speaking of special guests at the club, Dave Brubeck and his quartet made their one-night-only appearance over the Thanksgiving weekend.

This week, the Dizzy band has had plenty of special guests on stage, and tonight's lineup will be no exception. Paqutio D'Rivera will join the band for both sets, and there are some rumors that trumpet virtuoso Wallace Roney will show up, along with Antonio Hart, Jimmy Heath, and Frank Wess! All are expected to sit in!

Between now and New Year's, don't be surprised to see some of your favorite jazz and pop stars show up and join whomever is playing!