"What?!" is a very lively and fast paced tune. Though the rhythm section never fails to keep the beat it is easy to get lost in amalgamation of sound that this quintet produces. Playing in this quintet are Gordon and Westray on trombone and their rhythm section consisting of piano, bass, and drums.
The form of this tune is a bit strange:
8 bar A x2
16 bar B x1
8 bar A x2
8 bar C x1
piano solo
trombone solo
8 bar A x2
16 bar B x1
8 bar A x2
C type ending
The main theme or "A" section is an 8-bar phrase that is always played twice. It provides a reassuring structure to the piece. The B is strange in that it appears to be 16 bars long. The first 8 bars present a new theme and the next 8 bars present one that it very similar but not exactly the same. The C section is only 8 bars long and is only played completely one time. At the very end of the piece it is began, but then the entire band holds out one note until the final cymbal crash from the drummer.
There are two soloists the pianist and one of the trombonists. The piano solo lasts for quite a few choruses, in fact, it is almost half the song. The pianist emphasizes the off beats quite frequently which creates tension. This whole solo seems to be an experiment in how much tension the pianist can create. Dissonance is also frequently used, as are repeated notes and licks. At the very end of the solo, the pianist mimics the A section to lead into the trombone solo. Though the trombonist plays rather lyrically at the beginning, he then adopts a saxophone-esque playing technique with his many swirling, non-stop eighth notes. He plays a rather short solo as compared to the pianist but it is rife with arpeggios and glissandi, as well as being technically difficult.
The rhythm section is this song is quite excellent. The bass player sets up a walking bass line regardless of the fast tempo and never once looses the beat. The pianist has quite a large solo, but when he's not soloing he adds "hits" much like a drummer would and oftentimes even in conjunction with the drummer. During the trombone solo the pianist helps keep the chord progression in tact, but stays mostly behind the scenes with very few fills and virtually no notes that are not block chords. The drummer plays ride time during the A sections and the solos, but during the B and C sections brings in a Latin style of drumming that fits the melody perfectly. It is impressive to hear his flawless performance at this tempo as well as managing to add fills in the solos and set up the new choruses.
One of the most impressive things about this piece is the two trombonists. There is a common joke that implies that any two trombonists playing in unison will actually be more like a half step or even a second, but though Gordon and Westray play in unison they match not only each others notes but styles and dynamics. They provide an energy with each new chorus (especially the ones after the stop time measures) that keeps you wanting more and (at least in my case) makes you want to move...or learn to play trombone.
Because of the drumming style on sections B and C and the distinctive feeling of movement, this piece gives of a genuine Latin feel that is augmented with strange rhythms and solos making it so much more than just another Latin piece. I would recommend this to any trombone player as well as the rest of the album.
I tried to listen to it but it was blocked for copyright reasons. You're obviously listening carefully and attentively. Good job!
ReplyDeleteSorry! I figured that might happen. I found it on an album and tried to make my own video so that you would be able to hear it. Maybe I'll try to embed it later instead.
ReplyDelete