Last year, fans of exploratory jazz were treated to two masterful records: Raining On The Moon, from free jazz bassist William Parker, and Vietnam: The Aftermath, from fusion violinist Billy Bang. Parker’s album was a poignant invocation of the Last Poets, and Bang’s was a haunting, fiery voyage, soaked in Asian scales and harmonies. Both were important sessions that managed to capture the creative essence of the artist and transfer it onto tape. When listening to Scrapbook, the highly anticipated record from the William Parker Violin Trio, it shows that this must not be an easy trick. The group is bursting with talent (accompanying Parker on bass and Bang on violin are the delicious rhythms of drummer Hamid Drake), but Scrapbook sounds a bit like its title – a hefty document containing mementos of musical ecstasy that just sound pieced together in the end. It’s still a satisfying listening experience, especially on the track “Singing Spirits,” in which Bang’s violin takes on the voice of an angry ghoul, wailing and gyrating over Parker’s 12-bar blues. Bang’s incredible playing is obviously front-and-center throughout Scrapbook, and while he doesn’t disappoint with his technical chops and innate harmonic sense, the emotive immediacy of Vietnam is noticeably absent. Parker’s presence is more low-key than usual; Raining On The Moon was anchored by his playful, energetic bass lines. Raining also benefited from the incredible vocalist Leena Conquest – her talents are certainly missed here.
Scrapbook proves that William Parker and Billy Bang can make beautiful music together, and perhaps that elusive perfect session lies ahead for the Violin Trio. For now, though, their solo work of 2002 stands head over heels above this collaborative effort.
Appeared in the May 22, 2003, issue of Artvoice.