This sense of camaraderie prevails throughout this absorbing set
ECM 1490 / 759 8122 (LP from the “Luminessence” Series)
Gary Peacock (double bass); Ralph Towner (classical guitar, 12-string guitar)
Recorded May 1993
ECM’s Luminessence series continues with Peacock and Towner’s Oracle being released for the first time on LP. Although the pair have worked together frequently over the years in many different contexts, on paper they make an unlikely duo and listening to this album once again one is reminded just how different as players they are.
With Peacock’s name appearing first on the bill the inference is that it is the bassist’s gig, and a quick look at the compositional credits adds further weight to the assumption.
With Peacock having penned all but two of the pieces, one is immediately struck by how well they are suited to the bare bones of the duo. Both musicians can provide strong rhythmic frameworks they are equally adept at taking the lead as the bassist does so effortlessly on ‘Empty Carrousel’ with a superbly stated and melodic melody and solo before switching to a gently supporting role for Towner’s offering.
This sense of camaraderie prevails throughout this absorbing set; the dialogue and musical sparring is particularly fascinating on ‘Burly Hello’ and with Peacock’s writing seemingly perfectly suited for quiet dialogue the bassist tears up the rule book on ‘Flutter Step’ with a fierce opening statement from the double bass and furious rhythmic figure that is alternately played in unison or supported by some equally declamatory comping from Towner. It is rare to hear Towner dig in quite so hard as he does here and is startling enough to momentarily throw the feel of the album out of kilter.
The opportunity to dig in must have ignited something in Towner because he does the same in his own composition ‘Hat and Cane’, even though he does rein in the bassist a little, and bringing the mood back to relaxed and conversational the guitarist’s ‘Tramonto’ is the most beautiful track on the album.
The two musicians would reunite in the studio a couple of years later to produce a second duo album, A Closer View, this time with Towner’s name appearing first and the session and more in keeping with the output that the guitarist is quite rightly renowned for.
However, with this most welcome reissue it is nice to hear Peacock playing devil’s advocate and spicing things up a little.
