Halvorson, Mary Trio / Dragon's Head
Album: Dragon's Head   Collection:Jazz
Artist:Halvorson, Mary Trio   Added:Oct 2008
Label:Firehouse 12  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2008-12-07 Pull Date: 2009-02-08 Charts: Jazz
Week Ending: Feb 8 Feb 1 Jan 18 Jan 4 Dec 28 Dec 21 Dec 14
Airplays: 1 1 1 4 1 1 2

Recent Airplay
1. Mar 24, 2022: Rebop (rebroadcast from Aug 7, 2015)
Momentary Lapse
4. May 08, 2012: Rebop
Dragon's Head
2. Aug 07, 2015: Rebop
Momentary Lapse
5. Aug 19, 2010: Memory Select
Momentary Lapse
3. Aug 15, 2014: Rebop
Momentary Lapse
6. Jul 31, 2009: Memory Select
Old Nine Two Six Four Two Dies

Album Review
Fo
Reviewed 2008-12-07
MARY HALVORSON TRIO: Dragon’s Head
Firehouse12, 2008

AVANT-GARDE – Debut recording of a postmodern trio that’s been working for two years, led by a busy young guitarist who’s also part of Anthony Braxton’s circle. The group has an oblique, chunky approach that’s wholly original; check out the distortion details in Halvorson’s guitar tones, and the emphasis on odd rhythms and group balance.

All tracks good. Fo’s Picks: 2, 3, 4, 7, 9

1. 7:46 – stepping-stone melody: tiptoeing guitar against a heavy bass tread
2. 7:52 – clockwork rhythms vs. warped, crashing tones; gets calm, then harsh
3. 2:28 – packs a lot into a small space: stutters into and out of spinning riffs
4. 3:23 – agitated, falls into jittery mechanical rhythms
5. 3:56 – minimalist: calm bass vs. jabbing guitar/drums, loud crashing breaks
6. 5:19 – alternately relaxed & melodic / suspenseful & insistent
7. 6:38 – warped, spindly guitar lines & chewy bass; becomes a sort of march
8. 7:43 – low & slinky, with high guitar undulation; spaces out in second half
9. 5:36 – quick pulse; drops to solo guitar, storms back, stays noisy for a while
10. 4:40 – insistent spirals, then quiet and thoughtful, but troubled…

[ Fo ] 7-Dec-08

Track Listing
1. Old Nine Two Six Four Two Dies   6. Sank Silver Purple White
2. Momentary Lapse   7. Too Many Ties
3. Screws Loose   8. Totally Opaque
4. Scant Frame   9. Dragon's Head
5. Sweeter Than You   10. April April May