A View With A Room (Greenleaf Music)
Trish Clowes
Released April 22, 2022
Jazzwise Top 10 Releases of 2022
AllMusic Favorite Jazz Albums 2022
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nCZH1sWV4WKGdjHSeN1cAC3IIBG0Dh5A8
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/6gGtloLWCZclHOMU0OwY06?si=2yPNnRDdS3iX0FK4uNdZ7A
About:
‘A View with a Room’ is the fourth release by saxophonist and composer Trish Clowes and her acclaimed band My Iris, an intense and thrilling quartet that represents the front rank of the contemporary UK jazz scene. Lauded for her imaginative approach to improvisation and composition, Clowes provides her bandmates Ross Stanley (piano/Hammond organ), Chris Montague (guitar) and James Maddren (drums) with a unique platform for individual expression, delivering driving grooves and lingering melodic lines, seamlessly morphing between earthy restlessness and futuristic dreamscapes.
Most of the repertoire came together during the pandemic for various livestream events, Clowes writing a new tune for each precious playing opportunity. Many of the tracks make direct reference to issues created and exacerbated by the global pandemic, commenting on personal loss and creativity as solace, the climate crisis, and the ever-growing migrant crisis. The title track suggests a surreal, and yet strangely relatable concept, forced upon much of the world during these deeply isolating times. “The Ness” is inspired by sounds and images from a Scottish coastline by filmmaker / collaborator Rose Hendry. “Amber” is for Amber Bauer, CEO of Donate4Refugees (a charity Clowes is an ambassador for), reflecting her energy and dynamism. “Ayana” is dedicated to Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, an inspiring writer, marine biologist and policy expert, who speaks clearly and positively on the issues of climate change. Creative music for and of our times.
Liner notes:
A few important things to know about some of the music… ‘The Ness’ was written in response to images and sounds captured by film-maker Rose Hendry along the East Neuk of Fife coastline in Scotland. ‘Amber’ is for Amber Bauer, CEO of Donate4Refugees (a charity I am an ambassador for). ‘Ayana’ is dedicated to Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, an inspiring writer, marine biologist and policy expert, who speaks clearly and positively on the issues of climate change.
Huge thanks to Dave Douglas and Greenleaf Music for supporting this music so sincerely; to my amazing bandmates Ross, Chris and James; to legends Darren and Luke at Livingston; to Rose for being Rose; and to my husband Chris Kelly for presenting our sounds so beautifully.
Also massive thanks to everyone who has supported my music over the past two years, through extraordinarily challenging times – you have contributed to the making of this album, and the optimism I hope it carries! Some people really went above and beyond, and it will never be forgotten.
Trish Clowes
Track Listing:
1. A View with a Room 04:57
2. The Ness 05:52
3. Amber 05:03
4. Morning Song 05:58
5. No Idea 05:01
6. Ayana 07:16
7. Time 06:18
8. Almost 08:55
Personnel:
MY IRIS
Trish Clowes: tenor & soprano saxophones
Chris Montague: guitar
Ross Stanley: piano, Rhodes & Hammond organ
James Maddren: drums
Recorded August 31st & September 1st, 2021, at Livingston Studios (Studio 1) in London, England
Executive
Producer: Dave Douglas
Producer: MY IRIS
Recording engineer: Darren Jones
Assistant recording engineer: Luke Farnell
Mixing and mastering engineer: Chris Kelly
Cover Photography: Rose Hendry
Studio photography: Chris Kelly
Graphic designer: Lukas Frei
Review:
Hopefully, one of the last releases – although certainly one of the best – born from the disaster that was the pandemic lockdown. Clowes, without sentimentality, but with much craft and no little passion, has found some sweetness amid the pain and loss. This is music of communication and community forged from a time when both were, and still remain, under threat. Most of the songs came out of live streams that coaxed Clowes into writing new material for her much loved band My Iris, for whom this is the fourth release, but her first for Greenleaf, a combination that promises future riches.
It’s all captured in the magical opening title track. Starting from what seems an unlikely two step figure, the whole builds into a swinging joy. Montague gives a flowing blackbird song of a solo, while Maddren, who like his boss, but rare among drummers, is able to play with great intensity but at the lowest of volumes drives the whole shebang with brio. Rhythmically, especially with no bassist, Stanley is often the harmonic glue holding these intimate voicings together, but he’s happy to burst out with splendid break as on ‘Amber’ which grows into a funky little monster. ‘Amber’ is one of two songs dedicated to women Clowes deeply respects, in this case Amber Bauer who started the grassroots charity forRefugees.
There can at times be something a little studious about Clowes’ writing, but if that makes it thoughtful and structured, the affordances outweigh any minor carps. Either way, she knows the voices of the band so well that they usefully bring their own grace to her underlying reasonableness. A View With A Room grows with each play and will be listened to way after the era of its becoming has passed. We hope.
Andy Robson (Jazzwise)
