Pendulum - Eberhard Weber

Jan

6

Pendulum - Eberhard Weber

≡ Category: 1990s, Avant-Guarde, Post Bop, Worth A Listen |
≅ Written by: Michael Kydonieus

WORTH A LISTEN

Rating:

As regular readers of this website know, I am a serious fan of bassist Eberhard Weber, especially his releases with the Colors band, such as The Colours of Chloe, Yellow Fields, and Little Movements. So, it doesn’t take much for me to pounce on an Eberhard Weber release.

Even so, it took me a while to pick up Pendulum (on the ECM label) because it’s a solo bass project, which normally reeks of self-indulgence. But this is Eberhard Weber we’re talking about, so I finally caved in and bought it.

Weber’s intent is to achieve a species of orchestral music through echo units and overdubs. Obviously, there is a certain limitation and challenge inherent in that approach.

So, is Pendulum as thrilling as Weber’s work with Colors? Simply put, no. What Pendulum does well is showcase Weber’s mastery of tone, his quick intelligence, and his innate grasp of form.

It helps to be in a reflective state of mind when you listen to Pendulum, but if you can handle that and you like Eberhard Weber’s bass playing, you might want to check it out.