Matthew Bourne - Montauk Variations

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3...according to our Clinton on Fri 03 Feb, 2012.

Undoubtedly a superior tinkler of the ivories, I'm finding this album just a little sophisticated for my tastes. Bourne's up and down that keyboard, showing the flair and dexterity that would come from someone who won the 'innovation' gong at the BBC Jazz awards in 2002. It plays a jazzy hand with discordant chords, speedy flourishes and an experimental mind. It is though at times truly horrid. Like the lost recordings of Richard Clayderman during a particularly severe mental breakdown. Will appeal much more to your fans of classical and jazz rather than to the more conservative 'neo classical' crowd.

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* Matthew Bourne is the latest signing to The Leaf Label, and Montauk Variations is his first ever solo studio album.

* A phenomenal live performer, Bourne brings a breathtaking physicality to the piano that, once witnessed, is hard to forget (try searching for ‘Matthew Bourne piano’ on YouTube)

* A genuinely unique pianist and composer, whose music straddles jazz, classical and rock, Bourne uses every imaginable technique to wring the last drop of inspiration from his chosen instrument

* Montauk Variations represents something of a change of direction for him – an album of beautiful, lyrical solo piano compositions, punctuated by visceral percussive pieces

* The album was recorded in The Great Hall at Dartington College, Devon in May 2011, with additional recordings at St Margaret’s Rectory in Manchester and Rebel Elements studio close to his Yorkshire home
*A restless, endlessly exploratory musician, don’t expect him to stand still - this is the first in a series of albums under the ‘Matthew Bourne presents’ banner, with future releases to include an audio-visual project recorded with his beloved Memorymoog analogue synthesizer, and an album with vocalist Seaming To under the name Billy Moon

* Bourne first rose to prominence in 2001 when he won a Perrier Music Award at the age of 23

* In 2002 he won the ‘Innovation’ gong at the BBC Jazz Awards

*He’s spent the decade since building a live reputation across Europe, in collaboration with a bewildering array of artists including John Zorn, Marc Ribot, Broadway Project, Tony Bevan, Dave Stapleton, Franck Vigroux, Trio Grande, Nostalgia 77, Andrew Plummer, Marc Ducret, Barre Phillips, Tony Buck, Pete Wareham and Annette Peacock

* His own projects have included The Electric Dr M, Distortion Trio, Bourne/Davis/Kane, Bilbao Syndrome and Collider

* The brilliant Songs From A Lost Piano project toured the UK in 2009 with 5 abandoned pianos

Tracklisting:

1. I. Air (for Jonathan Flockton) 2. II. The Mystic 3. III. Phantasie 4. IV. Infinitude5. V. Étude Psychotique (for John Zorn) 6. VI. Within7. VII. One For You, Keith 8.VIII. Juliet9. IX. Senectitude10. X. The Greenkeeper (for Neil Dyer) 11.XI. Abrade12. XII. Here (in memory of Philip Butler-Francis)13. XIII. Gone (in memory of Philip Butler-Francis)14. XIV. Knell (in memory of Philip Butler-Francis) 15. XV. Cuppa Tea (for Paul Bolderson) 16. XVI. Unsung 17. Smile [written by Charlie Chaplin]

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