Bob Bralove & Patti Weiss – Acoustic Conversations
The opening piano with its deep foreboding texture, intercepted by the lushness of the musical breadth of the violin is remarkably original in this context. The intro to Bralove & Weiss’ “Lights In the Fog” is an exceptional theme to a film drama that has yet to be made. Recorded pristinely & despite the spare instrumentation the sound is atmospheric & proliferates beautifully.
There’s a distinguished cross between a Henry Mancini noir touch & the integrated notes of the piano that made the original 1956 Godzilla film that much more compelling than the monster itself. I like it when a pianist utilizes deep piano notes. With the torque sensibility tighter on “Little Sunflower” & “November Sky” these pieces feature the violin both aggressively & solemn – it all aligns with plenty of melodic fervor. The music is sufficiently dramatic & at times has the same progressive feel as King Crimson during their “Larks Tongues In Aspic & “Starless and Bible Black” era.
There are 11 compositions to Acoustic Conversations (Drops March 7/Independent/43:43) produced by former Grateful Dead contributor Bob Bralove (piano) & recorded in Oakland & San Francisco, CA. Patti Weiss isn’t a violinist who is in the Scarlett Rivera realm but closer to King Crimson’s David Cross. It’s a marbleized texture that cuts through tunes with sonorous notes that substitute for vocals effectively. Evident on Bill Evans’ “Peace Piece.” It doesn’t come across as jazz or easy listening but has a broad-scope instrumental map into a listener’s soul.
With a more saloon driven style “Devil’s Bar Blues” has the necessary beer scent & mournful late-night smoke drift of the ‘50s. Some of this music is inspiring for writers who have writer’s block. That’s the mood it ignites. Ideas, scenarios & situations. I didn’t think this music would hold my attention, but the layout is acute. Each composition has a unique fuel to it. Their improvisations are just improvisations — as opposed to jamming. There is a thought process in their approach because quite frankly there’s nothing sloppy here.
The music may appeal more to the curious. It isn’t as “out there” as Philip Glass’ “Einstein On the Beach,” but there are hints of the melodic approaches of Moondog (aka Louis Hardin) on his “Bird’s Lament” (Extended) & Carla Bley (“Escalator Over the Hill”). The finale is the appealing “Improvisation on a Theme by Eric Satie.” It made me hope on the next LP this duo does some Pachelbel. It would fit nicely.
Highlights – “Lights In the Fog,” “Little Sunflower,” “Peace Piece,” “Devil’s Bar Blues,” “Dance of the Magic Spice,” “November Sky,” “Riding the Rails” & “Improvisation on a Theme by Eric Satie.”
B&W image of Bob courtesy of his website.
Color image of Patti courtesy of the annapattimusic website. CD at Apple & Amazon + https://bobbralove.com/acoustic-conversations/
Check also: https://americanahighways.org/2025/02/28/bentleys-bandstand-february-2025/