Bill Frisell: When You Wish Upon a Star

As someone who’s been turned on to the wonderful world of jazz music over the last five years or so, this reviewer wasn’t about to turn down the opportunity to witness an elder statesman of the genre – described in 1987’s Jazz: The Essential Companion as “one of the most accomplished and sought-after young American guitarists” – live and in the flesh.

Touring with vocalist Petra Haden, plus Thomas Morgan on bass and Rudy Royston manning the percussion, Frisell’s Cab Fest show – running a just-right 75 minutes (plus a few extra for two encores) – promotes his recent album of the same name, featuring his interpretations of a number of memorable themes from the history of cinema and television; some with vocals, some without. You’ll hear Henry Mancini, Burt Bacharach, James Bond, Disney magic, TV westerns, spaghetti westerns – and more…

No specific introductions or identifications are made from the stage with regard to titles of tunes, names of composers, or places of origin, which in the case of the less-obvious instrumental passages, seems like a missed opportunity. It’s easy enough, though, to sit back and simply enjoy the virtuosity inherent in the imaginative onstage rendering of this music. While it can all get a tad too indulgent at times, most of those moments are dispensed with early on, and sticking with this talented bunch through the more demanding passages results in the discovery of a handful of gorgeous gems, with Frisell-and-company generating a sound to luxuriate in.

Anthony Vawser