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.
That
Bill Frisell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Before we weaken `cause we already know this is wrong
I could give in, sometimes I think that I will
Despite the temptation I try to be very strong
In my reluctance seems a surprise
It`s not `cause I don`t want you
But I just
Because I still have that other girl
In my head
I still have that other girl in my head
There may be ugly rumors that
I have been lying
There may be angry tears, but
They`re never worth the crying
That is why
Sometimes I...hesitate
Because I still have that other girl
In my head
I still have that other girl in my head
I still have that other girl in my head
The song "I Still Have That Other Girl" by Bill Frisell/Elvis Costello is a story of a man who is torn between two women, one of whom he is currently with and the other who is constantly on his mind. The lyrics suggest that the man is struggling with the decision of whether to stay with his current partner or to give in to the temptation of the other woman. However, despite his desire for the other woman, he tries to resist the temptation and be strong, recognizing that what he is doing is wrong.
The song is a reflection on the complexities of human relationships and the difficulties we face when we are forced to make difficult decisions. It tells a story of a man who is caught between his love for his current partner and the desire for someone else. The lyrics are thoughtful and introspective, and they speak to the deeper issues that we all face in our lives. They also reveal the complicated emotions that we often experience when we are in love.
Line by Line Meaning
I have to say that we should finish it now
I think we should end our relationship now
Before we weaken 'cause we already know this is wrong
If we continue, our situation will become even worse because we already know we shouldn't be together
I could give in, sometimes I think that I will
I am tempted to give in to my feelings for you
Despite the temptation I try to be very strong
Even though I am tempted, I try my best to resist
In my reluctance seems a surprise
You may be surprised by my hesitancy
It's not 'cause I don't want you, but I just know I must... hesitate
It's not that I don't want to be with you, but I know I should hold back
Because I still have that other girl in my head
I am still thinking about another girl
There may be ugly rumors that I have been lying
People may spread rumors that I have been deceitful
There may be angry tears, but they're never worth the crying
Even if someone gets upset, it's not worth the emotional stress to continue our relationship
That is why sometimes I... hesitate
That's why I am sometimes unsure about our relationship
Because I still have that other girl in my head
I can't stop thinking about another girl
I still have that other girl in my head
The other girl is still on my mind
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BURT F BACHARACH, DECLAN MACMANUS, ELVIS COSTELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mikekratochwill4195
I'm trying to put the set list together from this awesome show. This is what I have so far...
Keep Your Eyes Open 4:00
Segue from Keep Your Eyes Open to Unknown Title
Strange Meeting 28:00
Baba Drame 38:00
What the World Needs Now 44:00
It Should Have Happened a Long Time Ago 51:00
Shenandoah (brief rendition) 57:50
Lotus Blossom 1:00:41
Evidence 1:07:10
Rudy's Drum Solo 1:13:25
We Shall Overcome 1:17:00
When You Wish Upon a Star 1:26:00
You Only Live Twice 1:30:00
@censusgary
I don’t know if anybody will read this, but there are an exceptionally astute and sensitive group of people commenting on this video. I recommend reading this comment section.
@kynoceph
This is like Zen Jazz. Nothing is said/played that does not need to be played, and everything that is played is perfect for that moment, pearl after pearl, or drop after drop like rain. Truly amazing.
@30mouse
Perfectly stated
@chadrew6
Define what does or does not "need to be played". The statement is utterly arbitrary.
@_Ramen-Vac_
@@chadrew6 arbitrary? hey, it may be a tad like, lame syntax, but, if one has ears and a mind with any wind in its sails ~per se~ ..it's perfect. McLaughable. lol
@chadrew6
@@_Ramen-Vac_ My point was that there are no rules about what should and should not be played and one should use one's ears. And....your lame joke on my name used the wrong spelling of it...actually John McLaughlin's spelling.
@_Ramen-Vac_
@@chadrew6 precisely wrong. There ARE actual rules. Musical laws. Only they who know them may break them. That's simply why McLaughlin shall remain forever 10,000 x your superior. heck, mine ? 20,000 x mine. hahahaha.. because you're gOOd, and I stink. but you do not hear the harmony. just the
how fast can i noodlething. Zappa had a pass, even Zoot Horn Rollo.@rangaveeravalli
i am an indian from the southernmost state of india, have grown up all through these 60 years on a staple diet of music - of various kinds - from the classical carnatic music of south india, to the hard rock and everything in between at one time or the other... the music that bill frisell makes is like nothing else, and yet is like (almost) everything else you have heard across the spectrum... ! and what i find as the cornerstone of everything he creates, is MELODY - which is the queen emperor of any/all music.
the melodic is that ultimate hallmark of a true music. bill's is a musical soul. hence the zen feel that so many below have so spontaneously felt and confessed here :)
Grace - indeed !!
god bless :)
@mickknight6963
I spent 2 weeks in Kerala & Tamil Nadu in '91, preaching the gospel of Jesus! Beautiful country & precious souls, love India! Lord bless you....and what a group!! ☝️
@SwedeRic1
You found melody?