Guitarist Julian Lage’s live album on vinyl is a winner…just in time for Record Store Day.
Julian Lage – Live In Los Angeles – Mack Avenue Records MAC1124LP – Limited Edition Red Vinyl Record Store Day Black Friday 2024, 35:08 ****1/2:
(Julian Lage – guitar; Scott Colley – double bass; Kenny Wollesen – drums)
Julian Lange made his debut with Mack Avenue Records in 2016 with the studio album, Arclight. As a “companion” project, he released a live album featuring songs from this breakthrough album. Now for the first time, a red vinyl pressing of this concert is available for Record Store Day Black Friday. Recorded at The Blue Whale, Lage is accompanied by Scott Colley (bass) and Kenny Wollesen (drums). From the opening notes on “Persian Rug”, it is evident that Lage’s technical skills are compelling. His note-bending, jagged tonality is executed with sparkling runs. The improvisations include lightning-fast notation, prominent sliding chords and a mixture of styles like blues, jazz and even a touch of country. In a significant change of pace, “I’ll Be Seeing You” is the album’s longest track at nearly 13 minutes. Lake’s intro is complex and varies from meditative to contained fury. The melody line kicks in about the 3 minute mark. As Lage explores facets of the tune, his play can be meditative, but there are several tempo changes. Then, the instrumental gravitas and focus is constant. Colley gets to solo before Lage revisits the main theme with a tender resonance..
Lage’s ability to distill feeling from a song is evident on “Nocturne”. With a relaxed tempo, he gracefully maneuvers through a bluesy reverie that has both hushed shading and muscular sonic tonality. Like many jazz artists, he thrives in a live setting. In one of the more interesting arrangements, “Stop Go Start” kicks off with exotic percussion and drums from Wollesen. His percussion style feels abstract. Colley joins in with atmospheric, occasional rhythmic moments. Lage doesn’t enter until 4:20. His guitar riffs are unconventional, and intermingle with the overall atmospherics. In a near free-form-infused jam, he builds momentum with nimble and explosive avant-garde motifs. The finale “Activate” is also airy, but employs some straight-ahead dynamics with bristling trio energy. Lage’s use of various instrumental effects and frenzied picking is exhilarating. It is unique and edgy.
Julian Lage – Live In Los Angeles is a vibrant glimpse of a then emerging jazz star. It will be a great addition to Record Store Day Black Friday 2024.
Highly recommended!
—Robbie Gerson
Julian Lage – Live In Los Angeles
TrackList:
Side A: Persian Rug; I’ll Be Seeing You
Side B: Nocturne; Stop Go Start; Activate.
