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Music for Two Basses

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4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 9 ratings
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MP3 Music, January 1, 1971
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Audio CD, Import, August 30, 2005
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Editorial Reviews

At the time when they made this album, Barre Phillips and Dave Holland were key members of two of the most important groups in contemporary jazz. Phillips was working with the group called just the Trio with John Surman and Stu Martin, and Holland with the group Circle with Chick Corea and Anthony Braxton (In fact, Circle's legendary 'Paris Concert' was recorded just one week after 'Music for Two Basses'.) The idea for a two bass album emerged when Manfred Eicher heard the players improvising together between sets at Hamburg radio. This was the first album of bass duos ever issued and the material stands up very well. Holland's tender "Song for Clare" is a piece he has returned to several times in his career. The improvising throughout is exemplary, with Phillips's wonderful arco playing well showcased in the free pieces. Recorded 1971 Personnel: Dave Holland - double-bass, cello, Barre Phillips - double-bass

Product details

  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.59 x 0.39 x 4.92 inches; 3.53 ounces
  • Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Ecm Records
  • Date First Available ‏ : ‎ February 12, 2007
  • Label ‏ : ‎ Ecm Records
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0009WWHGY
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 9 ratings

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
9 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Chris
4.0 out of 5 stars Great Record if you dig this sort of thing
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2012
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I love avant / free / experimental jazz. I love the sound of the upright bass (I'm a bassist myself) and I love Dave Holland.
I first herd him on "In a Silent Way". Found his record "The Conference of the Birds" and fell in love. After that record I told myself I wanted all of his stuff so I started going back and getting all his records (as they aren't on Spotify)
So here I am at the beginning of his solo discography (at least according to Wiki ) and I dig it the most.
4 people found this helpful
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jso
5.0 out of 5 stars adjunct to stuart jefferson's excellent review
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2014
first of all, i completely agree with everything mr. jefferson said in his wonderful review and i highly recommend you read it. the difference is that i would give this record five stars for exactly the same reasons that mr. jefferson gave it three.

secondly, i would like to add that this record is a kind of precursor to the david holland and derek bailey duet record, ecm 1013, "improvisations for cello and guitar". "music for two basses" has "improvised piece I" and "improvised piece II", while holland/bailey has "improvised piece III", along with IV and V.

both of these LPs are superb, but both can be difficult listening. neither should be played at a party at your house. please enjoy both of these creative music LPs.
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Stuart Jefferson
3.0 out of 5 stars ANOTHER FINE EXAMPLE OF DOUBLE BASS PLAYING BY TWO MASTERS
Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2012
This short (37+ minutes) album is nonetheless a good example of Phillips' and Holland's mastery of the double bass. Together they produce a sound that's fairly compelling and inventive. The sound is clean (ECM-of course) and contains an overall warmth that's very pleasant to listen to. The compositions are by Holland and/or Phillips. This album can sit alongside Holland's solo works "Emerald Tears" ( an album of bass solos), and "Life Cycle" ( an album of solo cello work), both on the ECM label. But don't expect the open, quiet sound of "Emerald", or the slight classical leanings of "Life". Together these two masters weave a musical blanket of sometimes complimentary/sometimes competing sounds-but it all seems to make sense. And of course you have the beautiful sounds of both double basses.

This album is truly all about the duo-their interactions, their individual solo abilities, and playing music that demands you actually listen to it-not just hear it. Solo bass albums are never high on jazz/music fans lists, I understand that. But hearing two masters playing their own compositions (listen to Holland's beautiful "Song For Clare") or some spontaneously improvised pieces (the first two tracks) is quite another story. The deep, organic, sonorous sound of the double bass cannot be denied. And having two such fine players together elevates the overall effect greatly.

Will this be high on your "repeat play" list? Probably not. In spots it's difficult going-the music demands your complete attention. This is highly impressionistic music that conjures up (if you let it) any number of mental images-which is fine with me. You may have other ideas about this music-to each his own.

If this sort of music is your thing, you may want to check out William Parker's recently released 3 CD box set of bass solo work ("Crumbling In The Shadows Is Fraulein Miller's Stale Cake"), including a long out of print early album of his best work. Parker is a brilliant musician who's played with any number of current jazz players.

Another album to check into is "After You've Gone", with Phillips, Joelle Leandre, William Parker, and Tetsu Saitoh, each playing a double bass. The long tracks are an intense listening experience-something you'd normally not think of when thinking of the double bass.

And if you want something pretty amazing, check out the double CD set ("Solo") of Henry Grimes' one continuous set of improvisations on either the double bass or the violin. This is one man's compelling statement of solo jazz, and throughout both discs you can hear Grimes putting one instrument down and quickly picking up the other, and continue to play. It's quite something-but again-it's not for everyone.

"Music From Two Basses" was originally issued in 1971, and it's never really gotten the attention it deserves. I know solo bass albums aren't everyone's cup of tea, but this (and other similar albums) are a valid attempt at producing highly inventive, individualistic work, and that's what it does. Hopefully double bass aficionados will somehow come across this review, and give this a listen. But be ready to take a different kind of musical ride.
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Splash51
4.0 out of 5 stars Unique use of Bass's
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2015
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Strange use of Bass's, unique and recorded very well. I like it!! It's kind of love it or hate it recording. If you like jazz you will most likely enjoy having it in your library.
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Midlander
3.0 out of 5 stars At times brilliant, at times dull.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 3, 2019
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It's a good listen but the improvisations can be a little tedious at times. The final track is absolutely brilliant. Like all ECM the recording is of fine quality.
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カクサン
5.0 out of 5 stars やっと手に入れた。想像してた以上に素晴らしい。
Reviewed in Japan on March 9, 2014
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７０年代、『サークル1,2』から、アンソニー・ブラックストン『Town Hall 1972 』、デイブ・ホランド『Conference of the Birds（鳩首会議）』、デイブ・ホランド＆デレク・ベイリーのデュオ『IMPROVISATIONS FOR CELLO AND GUITAR』、併せてアンソニー・ブラックストン＆デレク・ベイリーのデュオ『Duo1,2』などを立て続けて聴いていた頃、既に廃盤で手に入らなかったのが、アンソニー・ブラックストン『For Alto』と、このデイブ・ホランド＆バール・フィリップスのデュオ『ベーシック・ダイアローグ』だった。
近年『For Alto』を手に入れ（Amazonにレビューあり）、残るはこのアルバムだったが、遂に手に入れた。
前述のデイブ・ホランドとデレク・ベイリーのデュオでは、デイブ・ホランドはベースではなくcelloのみだった。まさにデレク・ベイリーとのフリー・インプロビゼーション！凄い！！　凄いが・・・しかし、ベースファンの私としてはベースを聴きたいのだ！　あのcelloがベースだったら・・・どんなに凄いのだ？？？・・・想像は膨らむばかり。
前置きはこの位にして、そろそろ本題に入ろう。
さて、この『ベーシック・ダイアローグ』だが、このアルバムにたどり着いた人は、恐らくかなりディープなホランドファンか、あるいはフィリップファンであろうから恐れずに言うが、二人のインタープレイは、現代音楽か？と思われる部分と、完全なフリーインプロビゼーションの部分。また抒情的な部分とがあり、それが渾然一体となりピッチカートとアルコの両方で攻めてくる。特にフィリップスの方は、高音部を多用した現代音楽風なところが多く、ホランドはフリー系が多いか・・・しかし、はっきりとは分けられず、そのプレイは聴く方に相当な緊張感を与える。抒情的な部分でさえ聴く方に緊張感を強いるから、聴くには相当の覚悟が必要だろう。しかし、この緊張感は、聴いた後に筆舌に尽くし難い位の満足感を与えてくれることを約束する。
今のホランドファンにも、この７０年代初頭のホランドの凄さを味わって頂きたい。是非ご一聴を！
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Hirohiko
4.0 out of 5 stars あっという間の４０分
Reviewed in Japan on June 28, 2010
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ニューヨークのバードランドで観たデイブ・ホランドさん。
あれは２０００年の春、グループリーダーとしてゆるぎない地位を築き上げていた頃でした。
そのホランドさんが初期のＥＣＭで、同じくベースの鬼才、バール・フィリップさんと丁々発止のデュオを戦わせた記録です。
とにかく緊張感と疾走感に満たされた作品。
今はすっかり丸くなって、音楽を楽しむかのようにプレイしているホランドさんにも尖りまくっていた時代がありました。
同じくＥＣＭのソロ「ライフサイクル」も傑作だと思います。
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