I confess immediately to a possibly exaggerated liking for Burton’s playing, partly due to my strong admiration for his apparently effortless virtuosity. This understood, I must say that this is one of the most impressive and enjoyable of all his albums. Mainly because of its highly varied numbers in 5/4 (Mevlevia), 4-3-2/8 fast (Sympathy by Gibbs), and 4-5-5/8 slow (Tunnel by Gibbs); Weber’s theme statements to contrast with Burton’s; and relatively brief Burton solos, leaving room for Weber and also for excellent guitar solos.
Weber’s highly amplified bass playing is full of slides, both big and small, and quite individual. He moves around the instrument with immense facility, but doesn’t waste notes: and particularly on his own Colours he exploits the contrast of arco and pizz bass (the opening of this track has much in common with Vitous’ playing on Zawinul’s Arrival In New York).
There is plenty of Burton nevertheless, so I can thoroughly recommend the album: even allowing for my bias.
Discography
Mevlevia; Unfinished Sympathy; Tunnel Of Love; Intrude; Silent Spring; The Colours Of Chloe (47 min)
Burton (vib); Mick Goodrick (gtr): Pat Metheny (gtr/12-string-gtr); Steve Swallow (bs); Bob Moses (dm): Eberhard Weber (bs). Goodrick and Weber do not play on Intrude. Germany 23-24/7/74.
(ECM 1051 £2.99)
