Review
 
 
THE SCOTSMAN 29 July 2011
ROB HALL & CHICK LYALL WITH SUSHEILA JAMIESON
THE HUB, EDINBURGH JAZZ FESTIVAL
**** (4 star)

SAXOPHONIST Rob Hall has worked with visual artists before, notably in a project incorporating the paintings of James Hawkins at the Highland Festival a decade ago. Here he revealed that the idea of using photographer Susheila Jamieson's evocative images in this concert had come from the jazz festival's co-director, Roger Spence. It proved to be a good one. Her artistically observed and beautifully captured images, ranging from landscapes to semi-abstract forms, complemented the music in organic fashion. In fact this was a concert where all the elements - the evocative music, the projections, the venue, even the early evening start - all came together in pretty much an ideal way. Hall and pianist Chick Lyall have been collaborating for some time, and the material from their new third CD revealed a further refinement in their musical union. It was difficult at times to work out where notated music became improvisation. Some of the set - Rondeau was a prime example - could easily have been through-composed, and they certainly had plenty of written music. As Lyall unfolded another lengthy score across the piano Hall remarked wryly that "every job has its paperwork". This was a genuine meeting of minds. Hall alternated between clarinet and three saxophones, tenor, soprano and sopranino (the smallest and highest of the family). The music was varied enough to prevent any longueurs, while three short more abstract pieces also reflected Lyall's long-standing interest in electronic music.


KENNY MATHIESON
29th July 2011
 
Rob Hall & Chick Lyall
tel. 07973 145976
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