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George Cartwright — The Memphis Years - Terminal Moraine
(Cuneiform Rune 127, 2000, CD / DL)

by Jeff Melton, Published 2000-10-01

The Memphis Years - Terminal Moraine Cover art

George Cartwright is the leader of the fortuitous band, Curlew and this is his latest jazz based solo album. For this project, he's enlisted the literary skills of Paul Haines (famed for this text to Carla Bley's Escalator over the Hill) as well as friend and key contributor, Amy Denio who renders the lead vocal chores for Haines' bleak lyrical landscape. Pianist Chris Parker and drummer Doug Garrison map out the rhythmic terrain for the disc while the combination of Cartwright's alto with Jim Spake's baritone. Cartwright's skill as arranger and small group orchestrator is evidenced by the breadth of the twelve tracks on the disc. He allows rooms for soloists and balances that with strong melodic content. Although some of the blowing may difficult for some, it's in restraint enough not to scare the bejesus out of you. The album is a serious onion, with many lyrical and musical layers, which can be hotly debated. Stand out pieces include “J'accuzi,” which probably has the best rock swing mood on the disc. The two instrumental cornerstones are “Coffee and Pie” and “Zero Street” which is dedicated to political icon, the late Allen Ginsburg. “Coffee and Pie” opens with a soulful riff from Cartwright joined by full band restatement. The album's closing piece, “Zero Street,” is a moodier textural piece, a sensitive dirge to end the gray tone of album. Listeners will find much in common with Robert Wyatt's Ruth Is Stranger than Richard spliced with Gary Windo's final release. Terminal Moraine is rich sixties pop jazz grounded in Ornette Coleman, and elevated by Cartwright's vision.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 20, 2000 releases

Related artist(s): Amy Denio, George Cartwright

More info
http://cuneiformrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-memphis-years

 

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