Vijay Iyer Trio - "The Star of a Story" (ACT/2012) video free download

Jeff H

I saw him in concert on th 19th at the 6th and I . . . and he played this song; it was amazing!!!

Arne Thorbjoernsen

VIJAY IYER TRIO - The Star of a StoryAlbum - Accelerando (2012)Vijay Iyer - PianoStephan Crump - Double bassMarcus Gilmore - DrumsAllMusic about album - Review by Thom Jurek It's almost impossible not to consider Accelerando by pianist Vijay Iyer's working trio with bassist Stephen Crump and drummer Marcus Gilmore a companion to 2009's excellent Historicity. Its obvious similarities are that it places a handful of originals alongside a host of cover versions. These come from well-known artists from the worlds of jazz, 21st century dance music, and R&B. But there are key differences, too: for starters, this trio has been together longer; nowhere does that matter more than it does in jazz. The intuitive interplay and collective mindset that this trio possesses are exponentially more mature than they were on Historicity, despite its sharpness and musical acumen. The willingness to take chances is greater, as is the ability to make those risks pay off. Take the reading of "Human Nature," a tune recorded by Michael Jackson for the iconic Thriller. The melody is irresistible and Iyer maintains its framework while he builds on it by syncopating, extrapolating, and coloring it so that it becomes rich with complexity and textures, all the while keeping its melodic integrity. The rhythmic pulse is doubled on the snare, hi-hat, and bass drum. Crump's bass accompanies rather than propels, so his bass is where the groove lies. Heatwave's "The Star of a Story" is likewise melodically intact, but its rhythmic basics are set on a groove that finds funk in waltz time. Iyer discovers subtleties and hidden harmonic corners in his middle register that are remarkable to anyone familiar with the tune. "Mmmhmm," by Flying Lotus and singing bassist Thundercat, is realized with bowed basslines by Crump that both accompany the melody and state it, sparse chordal suggestions by Iyer in the higher register, and a gradually increasing vamp by Gilmore (that sounds like a defective loop because of its intentional slippage), all of which enchant the listener enough to provide Iyer the opportunity to solo using knotty clusters of post-bop dissonance and lyricism. Herbie Nichols' "Wildflower" swings hard with its lean angular line accenting his use of the piano as both a palette of tonal colors and a rhythm instrument. Iyer's own tunes, such as the title track and "Lude," reveal an extensive, purposeful build on jazz history from Thelonious Monk (in the latter) to the future (in the former), where dynamic repetition and gradually complex harmonic multiplications result from simple beginnings. What's most remarkable about these tunes, and the others here, are how consciously danceable they are. The set closes with Duke Ellington's "The Village of the Virgins," from his and Alvin Ailey's jazz ballet entitled The River. The river is obviously the Mississippi; gospel, blues, early jazz, swing, and even 1940s R&B make their voices heard in a nearly processional strut. The trio's interplay takes the structure -- originally performed by a jazz orchestra -- and boils it down to its essences, leaving space for nuance, grace, and elegance. Accelerando is a triumph in creativity and expert musicianship, and further underscores Iyer's status as a genuine jazz innovator.

Rob Johnson

Just so great. Words can't describe this, except to say we're lucky to be around while Mr. Iyer is composing and performing. It's a privilege.

Isaac Alves

wicked ridiculous groove.. amazing

Daniel Frick

all the glory of a jazz piano trio

1958sahara

This is awful...

Samuel Joyce

Beautific!

JOSE JUAN

Past year's favourite albums

Warren Feagins

No disrespect to this artist but the original version of this song by Heatwave and written by Rod Temperton who wrote a gang of tracks for Quincy Jones and Micheal Jackson is the alpha and the onega version. The vocals are beautiful, ethereal, and moving. Don't take my word for it. Hear it for yourself.

Aram K.

fucking awesome... this is a true marterpiece

JeffreyMulac8

Vijay is fast becoming a legend in the jazz world, and that is great. What a broad and deep talent. Everything he plays is just stunning.

snicky58

"I've got blisters on my fingers!" -- Ringo Starr

deme adolashvili

its fuckin amazing

wyzra

Just saw Vijay & co. perform this at UCLA, made a huge impression on me.

luv mifro

<3 this song!

Christopherkeyjazz

Drummers gotta be tired as hell...

MrThecansin

fascinating...