Acoustic Triangle - Pizza Express Music Room, Maidstone - 03/06/01

The gig last night left both of us utterly delighted and satisfied by the unusual format and content of what we heard at PzEx. Acoustic Triangle is a new grouping of equals, ostensibly led by Malcolm Creese on bass, with favourite John Horler on piano, and recently seen Tim Garland on tenor and soprano sax, and bass clarinet. This was their first gig (as AT), and, as the name implies, the entire concert was performed without recourse to amplification, and proved, certainly within a smallish venue, and with good room acoustics, not only that is there no need for such easy aids, but something quite palpable is gained in the process. Of course, piano and reeds CAN get by in such circumstances anyway, but the bass player really has to work at it, especially if volume is to be maintained along with accuracy, delicacy and, sometimes, rapidity of execution. It is a sign of his ever-increasing skill and application that MC accomplished all this with aplomb, best exemplified in his superb solo in a tribute number to Bill Evans. I thought this as good as anything I've heard from a bass player in years. John Horler I have long admired for his virtues as a soloist and accompanist, and Tim Garland was seemingly in his element and even better than on the last occasion we saw him. The content of the two sets, though, may have been the determining factor in the sense of balance between satisfaction and stimulation we both felt. Combining as they did, jazz and 'classical' works by Kenny Wheeler, Ralph Towner, Maurice Ravel, as well as their own excellent compositions, the mix of challenging yet always musical works was a minor miracle, and I congratulate all concerned for the intelligence and taste that went into the programme. I came away tingling with excitement – not this time for hoop-dee-doo jazz (that of course has its rightful and enjoyable place) but for modern music of real quality that appealed to the mind and senses in equal measure. By now you will not be surprised to learn that I purchased their CD 'Interactions' at the first opportunity.

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