The very adventurous pianist
Matthew Shipp
performs a set of duets with one of his main inspirations, bassist
William Parker
. They start off with a dark rendition of
"When Johnny Comes Marching Home,"
play five spontaneous improvisations (three of which are concise) and close off the recital with a brief
"Amazing Grace."
Shipp
's dense chords and atonal playing will remind some listeners of
Cecil Taylor
although there is a lyricism in his music (and an occasional use of space) that is very much his own. As usual,
Parker
plays in a driving fashion yet creates a wide variety of often other-worldly sounds. This CD will not convert any conservative listeners but it is up to
's usual level. ~ Scott Yanow