Bill Frisell: In My Dreams

"The record sits atop the coupling of two core groups that Frisell has worked with over the years: His bandmates here are Jenny Scheinmann (violin), Eyvind Kang (viola), and Hank Roberts (cello)-aka 858 Quartet, the guitarist's go-to string section-and Thomas Morgan (bass) and Rudy Royston (drums). In some sense, In My Dreams is the musical equivalent of a conversation between friends at a birthday party."

"The finespun rhythmic intuition of Morgan and Royston, who played with Frisell on 2020's Valentine, and the richness of the string section, despite its small size, work together to ensure the record's easy dynamism; both give freedom to Frisell's playing, but also decenter him when necessary."

"His playing is marked by a near-pianistic understanding of the textural and sonic potentials of the guitar, which he often accompanies with loops and effects."

Bill Frisell, approaching his 75th birthday, releases In My Dreams, an album that marks a departure from his typical forward-looking approach by offering retrospection on his four-decade career spanning avant jazz, Americana, and experimental music. The record features two core groups: the 858 Quartet (Jenny Scheinmann on violin, Eyvind Kang on viola, Hank Roberts on cello) and rhythm section members Thomas Morgan on bass and Rudy Royston on drums. The album functions as a musical conversation between longtime collaborators, balancing sentiment with curiosity. Frisell's role varies throughout, sometimes stepping back entirely to let other musicians lead, while maintaining his distinctive textural approach to guitar through loops and effects.

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