Joelle Leandre (double bass)- Craig Taborn (piano) - Mat Maneri (viola)
hEARoes
RogueArt ROG 0127
released 2023
Thirty nine minutes of a live concert, recorded in France in February 2022, a first time meeting for Leandre and Taborn but for Maneri and Leandre the two have jousted for 30 years apparently. Given the high ranking I attribute to them this was a session I could not resist. Musically, the vast experience that Leandre brings to the table is reflected in the mix. The metre and mood appear to come from the right hand side of the sound mix where Leandre is placed. Being louder than the other two only emphasises that impression. The left hand side is where Taborn's less than clear piano is located which at times is so cloudy its difficult to know what he is doing, if anything. Maneri's viola sits in the middle of the sound stage and is the most recessed of the three instruments. The similar sound of the bowed strings from Maneri and Leandre only adds to the uncertainty I felt when trying to keep track of who is playing what. One clue however was the noise that accompanied the microphones used to record the bass, every time it drops out, so did the hiss. Leandre doesn't sit out much so you have to try and ignore it. Feeling distracted yet?
Whilst the music commands my attention, the compromises in sound quality definitely distracted me with thoughts dominated by how the mix emphasises Leandre at the expense of the other two. This has the effect of suggesting that she dominated the music rather than there being an equal spread of lead and response between the musicians. Does the recording truly reflect what happened at the event? The impression given is most likely misleading, an unintended consequence of the balance of the instruments but i am surprised how the mix of a concert affected my interpretation of the music.
Have RogueArt made wise decisions in releasing a less than ideal sound recording? Leandre is down as one of two people who mixed the recording and Leandre's is the instrument that is dominant. Did the other two get to hear this before release? Leandre clearly remains at the top of her game with strong musical ideas. Fortunately! My problem lies with the managerial decisions. Releasing this live concert is not showcasing the musicians in their best light and I did not anticipate the extent to which my interpretation of a piece of music could be influenced by the sound mix.
