<< > FROM NORWAY . THE FRODE GJERSTAD TRIO

Frode Gjerstad . . . . . . . saxophone(s) .clarinet Øyvind Storesund . . . . double bass Paal Nilssen - Love . . . . drum kit . percussion (reviews and website at

bottom of mail) I saw this trio in my home town Katowice, Poland a few months ago and I agree, Nilssen-Love was amazing. Check out his fantastic CD of solo drumming "Sticks And Stones". Really great and original.

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I didn't catch the origin of this thread but they didn't come thru San Francisco this year even though I think they played Portland. They were supposed to play last year but cancelled due to 9/11. School Days and Atomic have come thru though and Love was magnificent both times. Atomic was definitely one of the best concerts of the year and the cd definitely kicks butt. Every composition is moving and original with plenty of room for great playing. For some reason, the Love solo cd is bit of a disappointment to me. It wasn't really engaging for me. A few other cds Love appears on that haven't been mentioned are "The Thing" a Gustafsson Trio w/ Haker Flaten as well. Probably the most straight ahead thing that Gustafsson has done, playing mainly Don Cherry tunes. There's some kind words from Eagle Eye inside about the band. Also the Sten Sandell(piano) Trio w/ Berthling on bass on the cd "Standing Wave" on Sofa. Probably one of the more "jazzy" efforts you'll get from Sandell plus no vocals. Love really propels things along and this is worth many repeat listenings. Lastly, Love appears on Christer Bothen Acoustic Ensemble's "7 Pieces" on LJ. I was expecting something more groove oriented given Bothen's past but these are pretty quirky but brilliant compositions where things change constantly and abruptly yet make perfect sense. Very heavily composed, it gives everyone a chance to shine. This is a good week for drummer lovers in the Bay area. Chris Cutler has been here about a week but still has a concert or 2 left, tonight's the 2nd night of 3 for Bobby Previte's Bump, and Tom Rainey is here for 2 nights with Mark Helias Trio with Tony Malaby. Not Bad. Cheers, John Threadgould