TANIA GILL: Bolger Station
Barnyard, 2010

AVANT/MODERN JAZZ – This quirky, wonderfully listenable piano-led set out of Toronto has an avant-garde spirit wrapped up in lovely melodies, gentle phrasing and sly humor. The quartet moves in tight formation with lots of interplay and commentary as Gill roams between jazzy, folkish and semi-classical settings, all with her own engaging stamp. Great music!

All good. Fo’s Picks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 11

1. 3:47 – relaxed: gentle, folksy melody emerges from atmospheric percussion
2. 3:04 – lumpy melody comes from a weird angle, drums get rolling for piano solo
3. 6:08 – oblique, intimate and casual, balancing improv feel with a classical touch
4. 4:58 – melodica + organ set up a relaxed, spinning bounce; solos move freely
5. 2:12 – bittersweet tone poem for solo piano
6. 1:57 – tiptoe improvisation… turns into fun cover of a country-waltz (with vocal!)
7. 3:57 – mysterious refracted light, slow and ever so gently spinning…
8. 2:00 – a slow, distantly regal setup for #9, falls back to solo piano
9. 3:24 – three-note phrase tossed around, mixed up, scattered in group improv
10. 0:43 – lively solo piano interlude
11. 3:15 – upbeat, jazzy stroll with happy drums: trumpet & melodica have a chat
12. 4:52 – easygoing and nostalgic: fluid pacing, melancholy piano/trumpet
13. 4:34 – sad standard with vocal & organ, taken slowly, feels very heavy-hearted

[ Fo ] 04/23/11