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Reviews

Ken Field — Pictures of Motion
(Arf! Arf! SFZ-002, 1999, CD)

by Mike Ohman, Published 2000-10-01

Pictures of Motion Cover art

The number of albums in the field of rock and / or jazz that feature no conventional chordal rhythm section instruments (i.e. — keyboards, guitars or guitar-like stringed instruments) could probably be counted on one hand, at least that I could think of off the top of my head. Ken Field's Pictures of Motion is the latest entry into that elite group. Field is best-known for his association with Birdsongs of the Mesozoic, this being his latest solo effort. All but one track features his alto sax playing, either solo, multi-tracked, or aided by fellow alto players Jessica Lurie and Amy Denio. Field is also assisted on about half the tracks by a bassist and drummer. He also doubles on percussion, usually bells (“Bells of Balance” is a variation on “Book of Balance” for solo bells), as well. The sax-only tracks give the album the greatest distinction. At times, these haunting études resemble solo organ pieces (the title track), at others string-trio pieces (“Plitvice”), if they can be said to resemble anything conventional at all. The band pieces, by design, are indeed more conventional sounding, but fortunately lack clichés; varying from evocative and tango-like (“Corteo”) to jazzy and swinging (“Parade”). More than just an individualistic artistic statement, Pictures of Motion is about making the most of what you have, about seeing potential where others only see limits.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 20, 1999 releases

Related artist(s): Ken Field, Amy Denio

 

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