music.wikisort.org - Composition

Psalm is the fifth album by Paul Motian to be released on the ECM label. It was released in 1982 and features the first recordings by Motian with guitarist Bill Frisell, tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano, alto saxophonist Billy Drewes and bassist Ed Schuller.

Psalm
Studio album by Paul Motian
Released	1982
Recorded	December 1981
Genre	Avant-garde jazz downtown music
Length	44:44
Label	ECM
Producer	Manfred Eicher
Paul Motian chronology
Le Voyage (1979) Psalm (1982) The Story of Maryam (1984)

Reception

The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4½ stars, stating: "The eight compositions by drummer Paul Motian on this ECM release (which is available on CD) are rather dry and none caught on as future standards. But the playing by Motian's sidemen (tenors Joe Lovano and Billy Drewes, bassist Ed Schuller and especially the remarkable guitarist Bill Frisell) uplifted the music and gave this group a strong personality of its own. Although the results are not all that memorable, the music should please adventurous listeners. ".[1]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[2]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings	[3]
Tom Hull	B+ ()[4]

Track listing

1. "Psalm" - 6:57
2. "White Magic" - 3:00
3. "Boomerang" - 5:43
4. "Fantasm" - 6:07
5. "Mandeville" - 5:03
6. "Second Hand" - 9:16
7. "Etude" - 4:16
8. "Yahllah" - 7:39

All compositions by Paul Motian

• Recorded December 1981 at Tonstudio Bauer, Ludwigsburg

Personnel

• Paul Motian – drums
• Bill Frisell – electric guitar
• Joe Lovano – tenor saxophone
• Billy Drewes – tenor and alto saxophones
• Ed Schuller – bass

References

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