Fred Fried and Core

Core 3.0

(Ballet Tree Productions)

Grade: A-

Fred Fried is a guitarist I've admired for years. He plays with a thoughtful lyricism that gently draws the listener into his songs. I like the fact that he plays with nylon strings, which is unique in jazz as most jazz guitarists favor steel strings. Additionally, Fried takes advantage of his custom 8-string guitar, often utilizing fuller chords and different voicings than is found in typical guitar jazz, (if there is such a thing as typical).

Core 3.0 is Fried with bassist Michael Lavoie and drummer Miki Matsuki. Lavoie plays aggressively, attacking the notes while walking and unafraid to play melodically. His lyrical, swinging style complements Fried's guitar playing. Matsuki is much more subtle, coloring the songs with her high hat and saying more through her use of spaces than many drummers do while playing. Matsuki is masterful in her use of stretching and contracting time, making the songs infinitely more appealing.

Working with this trio has opened up Fried's songs. Where Fried's earlier recordings have been introspective and contemplative, Core 3.0 is more joyous and extroverted. If Fried's prior works were reminiscent of Autumn or Winter, Core 3.0 brings to mind Spring with the hope and joy of the season. 

The opening song, "Leanne's Number", is dominated by rhythmic twists and turns with some fabulous soloing by Fried.  

"Cloud Dancer" opens with a beautiful melody that would make for a lovely pop song.  The trio fully explores the harmonic possibilities of this theme on one of the best songs of the album.  The main theme to "The Things You Do" would not be out of place in a Broadway musical. This is a delightful, bittersweet parting and leaves one sorry that the recording is over--but looking forward to the next visit.

Core 3.0 is an excellent album and one of my favorites by Fried. The tone may be subdued for some fans, but the music is never boring and it is clear that the trio is immersed in the songs. This will appeal to listeners across the musical spectrum — whether they listen to Bill Evans or Leo Kottke.

The CD reviewed above was provided courtesy of Kate Smith Promotions.

www.fredfried.com

Lidral Duo in the Memorial Union - 19 April 2010

The Lidral Duo (Karel, soprano saxophone; Terry, piano -- the original Chamber Jazz Ensemble, by the way!) will be presenting the twelfth in their series of concerts entitled the "Chamber Jazz Afternoon Concert Series" this coming Monday (19 April 2010), from 4:15-5 PM in the "Jazz Corner" of Union Central in the Memorial Union (beneath the jazz poster by the fireplace), University of Maine, Orono, ME.

Now in their 22nd season, this is their 11th continuous semester-long concert series in the Union.

Lidral Duo in the Memorial Union - 11 April 2010

The Lidral Duo (Karel, soprano saxophone; Terry, piano -- the original Chamber Jazz Ensemble, by the way!) will be presenting the eleventh in their series of concerts entitled the "Chamber Jazz Afternoon Concert Series" this coming Monday (12 April 2010), from 4:15-5 PM in the "Jazz Corner" at Union Central in the Memorial Union (beneath the jazz poster by the fireplace), University of Maine, Orono, ME.

Now in their 22nd season, this is their 11th continuous semester-long concert series in the Union.

Lidral Duo in the Memorial Union - 5 April 2010

The Lidral Duo (Karel, soprano saxophone; Terry, piano -- the original Chamber Jazz Ensemble, by the way!) will be presenting the tenth in their series of concerts entitled the "Chamber Jazz Afternoon Concert Series" this coming Monday (5 April 2010), from 4:15-5 PM in the "Jazz Corner" of Union Central in the Memorial Union (beneath the jazz poster by the fireplace) at the University of Maine, Orono, ME.  They will also be performing in the Lecture Hall at the Bangor Public Library, Bangor, ME this Saturday, 3 April 2010, at 2 PM.

Now in their 22nd season, this is their 11th continuous semester-long concert series in the Union.

UMaine Events for Jazz Appreciation Month

Jazz Appreciation Month, 2010 (so designated by the IAJE nearly 5 years ago) gets underway in April. Here is a listing of the events involving UMaine groups/people:

Sa, 4/3: Jazz concert by THE LIDRAL DUO in the lecture hall in the Bangor Public Library, 2 pm;

M, 4/5: CHAMBER JAZZ AFTERNOON CONCERT SERIES #10, featuring the Lidral Duo, in Union Central in the Memorial Union, 4:15-5 pm;

Th, 4/8: A detachment of the UMAINE CHAMBER JAZZ ENSEMBLE will present a concert in the Story Room in the Bangor Public Library from 6:30-7:30 pm;

Sa, 4/10: Showing of the jazz film, COUNT BASIE JAM '75 at the Bangor Public Library (this is from the Norman Granz' JAZZ IN MONTREUX series of DVDs), 2 pm, in the lecture hall. Following the approximately 1-hour film will be a brief discussion co-led by Dr. Karel Lidral and Dr. Jay Bregman;

M, 4/12: CHAMBER JAZZ AFTERNOON CONCERT SERIES #11, featuring the Lidral Duo, in Union Central in the Memorial Union, 4:15-5 pm;

M, 4/19: UMAINE CHAMBER JAZZ ENSEMBLE concert, 8:30-9:15 am (yes, am!), Hutchins Hall in the CCA on the UMaine campus;

M, 4/19: CHAMBER JAZZ AFTERNOON CONCERT SERIES #12, featuring the Lidral Duo, in Union Central in the Memorial Union, 4:15-5 pm;

W 4/21: UMAINE CHAMBER JAZZ ENSEMBLE concert, 11 am-noon, in Union Central in the Memorial Union;

Th, 4/22: UMAINE JAZZ ENSEMBLE concert, Minsky Recital Hall in the Class of 1944 Hall, 7:30 pm;

M, 4/26: CHAMBER JAZZ AFTERNOON CONCERT SERIES #13, featuring the Lidral Duo, in Union Central in the Memorial Union, 4:15-5 pm; and

W, 4/28: Jazz concert by THE LIDRAL DUO in the Bangor Public Library as part of the 8th annual POETS/SPEAK, 4:45-5:15.

Lidral Duo in the Memorial Union - 29 March 2010

The Lidral Duo (Karel, soprano saxophone; Terry, piano -- the original Chamber Jazz Ensemble, by the way!) will be presenting the ninth in their series of concerts entitled the "Chamber Jazz Afternoon Concert Series" this coming Monday (March 29th, 2010), from 4:15-5 pm in the "Jazz Corner" of Union Central in the Memorial Union (beneath the jazz poster by the fireplace) at the University of Maine, Orono, ME.  Now in their 22nd season, this is their 11th continuous semester-long concert series in the Union.

Lidral Duo in the Memorial Union - 15 March 2010

The Lidral Duo (Karel, soprano saxophone; Terry, piano -- the original Chamber Jazz Ensemble, by the way!) will be presenting the seventh in their series of concerts entitled the "Chamber Jazz Afternoon Concert Series" this coming Monday (March 15th, 2010), from 4:15-5 pm in the "Jazz Corner" of Union Central in the Memorial Union (beneath the jazz poster by the fireplace) at the University of Maine, Orono, ME. (Don't forget to set your clocks an hour ahead on Sunday!)

Now in their 22nd season, this is theirr 11th continuous semester-long concert series in the Memorial Union.