Alister Spence: Whirlpool

Alister Spence goes it alone on piano, percussion and “preparations” (which reminds me to always avoid alliteration) on this two disc set of originals with parentheses in each song title. The tinny prepared  piano gets dark on “(re)animate” and “(en)folded” while the tones are edgy on “(dis)similarity”. Hints of Bill Evans at the piano take place on “(back)water” and “(over)taken” while Monk moods are heard on the elliptical “(well)spring” and “(some)what.” Warm and thoughtful originals show a rich touch on “(re)new”and “(under)standing”, while I just wish I could (under)stand why she made all of the songs titled with such (mess)ages.

Leave a Reply