Frisell was born in Baltimore, Maryland, but spent most of his youth in the Denver, Colorado, area. He studied clarinet with Richard Joiner of the Denver Symphony Orchestra as a youth, graduated from Denver East High School, and went to the University of Northern Colorado to study music.
His original guitar teacher in the Denver-Aurora metropolitan area was Dale Bruning, with whom Frisell released the 2000 duo album Reunion. After graduating from Northern Colorado, where he studied with Johnny Smith, Frisell went to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he studied with Jon Damian and Jim Hall.
Frisell's major break came when guitarist Pat Metheny was unable to make a recording session, and recommended Frisell to Paul Motian who was recording Psalm (1982) for ECM Records. Frisell became ECM's in-house guitar player, and worked on several albums, most notably Jan Garbarek's 1981 Paths, Prints. Frisell's first solo release was In Line featured solo guitar and duets with bassist Arild Andersen.
Frisell's first group to receive much acclaim was a quartet with Kermit Driscoll on bass, Joey Baron on drums, and Hank Roberts on cello (later slimmed down to a trio when Roberts left). Many other albums with larger ensembles were recorded with this group as the core.
In the 1980s Frisell lived in New York City and was an active participant in the city's music scene. He forged an early partnership with John Zorn—including as a member of quick-change band Naked City—and performed or recorded with many others. He also became known for his work in drummer Paul Motian's trio, along with saxophonist Joe Lovano.
In 1988 Frisell left New York City and moved to Seattle, Washington. In the early 1990s Frisell made two of his best-reviewed albums: first, Have a Little Faith, an ambitious survey of Americana of all stripes, from Charles Ives and Aaron Copland (the entirety of Billy the Kid) to John Hiatt (the title song), Bob Dylan ("Just Like a Woman") and Madonna (a lengthy, psychedelic rock-tinged version of "Live to Tell"); and second, This Land, a complementary set of originals. During this time he performed with many musicians, including the more up and coming, such as Douglas September on album 10 Bulls. He also branched out by performing soundtracks to silent films of Buster Keaton with his trio, and contributed to Ryuichi Sakamoto's album Heartbeat.
In the mid-1990s, Frisell disbanded his trio. He continued the trend marked by Have a Little Faith by more explicitly incorporating elements of bluegrass and country music into his music. His friendship with Gary Larson led him to provide music for the TV version of The Far Side (released on the album Quartet along with music written for Keaton's Convict 13). Since 2000, Frisell has lived on Bainbridge Island, Washington, near Seattle.
Several of Frisell's songs, including his recording of "Over the Rainbow" and "Coffaro's Theme", were featured in the movie Finding Forrester (2000).
In 1999, Frisell was commissioned by the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota to compose Blues Dream, which he premiered on November 15, 1999. He later recorded the work for a 2001 release on Nonesuch.
Also in 1999, he released The Sweetest Punch which featured a seven-piece jazz ensemble reworking the tunes written and recorded by Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach on Painted from Memory.
Between 2003 and 2005 Frisell acted as musical director for Century of Song, a series of concerts at the German arts festival RuhrTriennale (produced by Lee Townsend). Frisell invited artists including Rickie Lee Jones, Elvis Costello, Suzanne Vega, Arto Lindsay, Loudon Wainwright III, Vic Chesnutt, Van Dyke Parks, Buddy Miller, Ron Sexsmith and Chip Taylor to perform their favorite songs in new arrangements.
In 2003, Frisell's The Intercontinentals was nominated for a Grammy award; he won the 2005 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album for his album Unspeakable. His 2008 album, History, Mystery was nominated for a 2009 Grammy award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group. Frisell was also a judge for the 6th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers.
Frisell has united with Matt Chamberlain, Tucker Martine, and Lee Townsend in the Floratone band, and they have released an album on Blue Note (2007), featuring guest performance of Viktor Krauss, Ron Miles, Eyvind Kang.
In 2008, Frisell performed as a featured guest on Earth's album The Bees Made Honey in the Lion's Skull.
In 2009, Frisell featured in a duet rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" with singer-songwriter, Sam Shrieve. The recording was released on Shrieve's debut album Bittersweet Lullabies.
In 2010, Frisell started working with the Savoy Jazz label and released Beautiful Dreamers in August 2010, then a second release of Sign of Life in April 2011. Also, on January 25, 2011, Bill Frisell and Vinicius Cantuária released Lágrimas Mexicanas on the E1 label.
In June, 2011, Frisell, Lee Townsend, and their frequent collaborator, Vinicius Cantuaria, participated in TEDx GoldenGateED's program, "Teaching Compassion" in Oakland, California. Frisell and Cantuaria performed separately, and Townsend assisted with technical aspects of the event.
In September 2011, Frisell released All We Are Saying, a full-length offering of his interpretations of John Lennon's music. Frisell's quintet includes violinist Jenny Scheinman, pedal steel and acoustic guitarist Greg Leisz, bassist Tony Scherr, and drummer Kenny Wollesen.
God's Wing'ed Horse
Bill Frisell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lay me down, lay me down here to rest
Though I'll stumble, I'll finish this long race
Now my heart beats inside of God's chest
On His wing'ed horse we ride
He comes down for me (for me)
Oh the tears that we she'd at goodbye
God is close to the ones' broken hearted
And he carries a son to the sky
On His wing'ed horse we ride
He comes down for me (for me)
On His wing'ed horse we ride
He comes down for me (for me)
How we sorrow below to be parted
Oh the tears that we she'd at goodbye
God is close to the ones' broken hearted
And he carries a son to the sky
On His wing'ed horse we ride
He comes down for me (for me)
The lyrics of Bill Frisell's song "God's Wing'ed Horse" convey powerful themes of love, loss, faith, and spiritual transcendence. The opening lines, "Gather round my dear friends and be loving, Lay me down, lay me down here to rest," set a tender and intimate tone, suggesting a sense of community and comfort in the face of mortality. The singer acknowledges the challenges and struggles of life ("Though I'll stumble, I'll finish this long race"), but finds solace in the belief that their heart is now within God's embrace.
The imagery of riding on God's winged horse evokes a sense of divine protection and guidance. The repetition of the line "He comes down for me (for me)" emphasizes the personal and direct relationship between the singer and a higher power. There is a sense of surrender and acceptance in allowing oneself to be carried by God, symbolizing trust in a greater plan beyond human understanding.
The lyrics also touch upon the universal experience of grief and separation. The lines "How we sorrow below to be parted, Oh the tears that we shed at goodbye" capture the poignant emotions that accompany farewells and endings. However, amidst the sorrow, there is a comforting reassurance that God is near to those who are broken-hearted and that he offers solace by guiding a loved one to the heavens.
The repetition of the refrain "On His wing'ed horse we ride, He comes down for me (for me)" reinforces a sense of unity and connection with the divine. The imagery of being lifted up to the sky on God's winged horse represents a transcendent journey towards spiritual elevation and peace. Overall, the lyrics of "God's Wing'ed Horse" invite listeners to contemplate themes of love, loss, faith, and the eternal bond between humanity and a higher power.
Line by Line Meaning
Gather round my dear friends and be loving
Come together, my beloved friends, and show affection
Lay me down, lay me down here to rest
Place me gently on the ground so I may find peace
Though I'll stumble, I'll finish this long race
Despite facing obstacles, I will complete this challenging journey
Now my heart beats inside of God's chest
My heart is one with God's, connected in unity
On His wing'ed horse we ride
We travel on God's majestic horse with wings
He comes down for me (for me)
God descends from the heavens to be with me
How we sorrow below to be parted
We grieve deeply when separated on earth
Oh the tears that we she'd at goodbye
The tears we shed when saying farewell
God is close to the ones' broken hearted
God comforts those who are emotionally wounded
And he carries a son to the sky
He lifts a beloved child to the heavens
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Julie Anne Miller, William Frisell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
adigavrus1
"Gather round my dear friends and be loving
Lay me down, lay me down here to rest
Though I'll stumble, I'll finish this long race
Now my heart beats inside of God's chest
On His wing'ed horse we ride
He comes down for me (for me)
How we sorrow below to be parted
Oh the tears that we she'd at goodbye
God is close to the ones' broken hearted
And he carries a son to the sky
On His wing'ed horse we ride
He comes down for me (for me)
On His wing'ed horse we ride
He comes down for me (for me)
How we sorrow below to be parted
Oh the tears that we she'd at goodbye
God is close to the ones' broken hearted
And he carries a son to the sky
On His wing'ed horse we ride
He comes down for me (for me)."
Alan Budgen
One of those songs that feels like it has been passed down to us through the generations. Like it is embedded in the soul. Hard to believe it has only just wing'd it's way to us. Wonderful x
Alan Budgen
And it was superb live too.
jeff stanton
Bill Frisell is a national treasure. Period. Make that International. Make that that Universal.
Юрий Щёголев
великолепно!
adigavrus1
"Gather round my dear friends and be loving
Lay me down, lay me down here to rest
Though I'll stumble, I'll finish this long race
Now my heart beats inside of God's chest
On His wing'ed horse we ride
He comes down for me (for me)
How we sorrow below to be parted
Oh the tears that we she'd at goodbye
God is close to the ones' broken hearted
And he carries a son to the sky
On His wing'ed horse we ride
He comes down for me (for me)
On His wing'ed horse we ride
He comes down for me (for me)
How we sorrow below to be parted
Oh the tears that we she'd at goodbye
God is close to the ones' broken hearted
And he carries a son to the sky
On His wing'ed horse we ride
He comes down for me (for me)."
Mark Goldman
Writtern by Julie Miller (wife of Buddy Miller) and William Frisell.
MerlotC
Damn! Another Bill Frisell album I have to buy.
guitarcat5
Wonderful, dreamy and transporting as ever!
^..^
Graham Hammond
Always so good.
Ben Heath
This is beautiful. Though, I really wish Petra was also with That Dog and their new album!!!!! :)