1994 · Album
The Montreal Tapes
Recorded 1989 (live) · Verve Records · Personnel: Charlie Haden (bass), Gonzalo Rubalcaba (piano), Paul Motian (drums)
Haden, Rubalcaba, and Motian in Montreal
Rubalcaba's momentum drives the session; Haden solos with massive, outgoing tone, clearly enjoying himself.
This is a live recording from a festival where Charlie Haden was given total creative freedom, and you can hear it in every take. Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Paul Motian were his partners for the evening, and what matters most here is how Rubalcaba plays — the pianist's irresistible momentum is the engine of these performances. When he solos, everyone else is hanging on, trying to keep up with the sheer forward motion he generates.
Haden himself sounds enormous and generous, his bass tone full and outgoing in a way that suggests he was having a genuine good time. These aren't cautious trio explorations; they're three musicians playing at a festival where nothing was off-limits. Rubalcaba's relentless drive keeps things from settling into comfort, which makes this different from the companion album Haden recorded that same festival with pianist Geri Allen. That trio had better internal compatibility — a tighter fit. This one trades compatibility for voltage.
It's a solid session, not a masterpiece, but worth hearing if you want to understand what Haden sounded like when he was simply turned loose with strong musicians and no constraints. The recording captures a particular moment: a bassist at the height of his powers, a young pianist with unstoppable energy, and a drummer trying to find his footing in the whirlwind.
Who's playing
Charlie Hadenbass
Geri Allenpiano
Mick Goodrickguitar
Joe Lovanotenor saxophone
Ken McIntyrealto saxophone
Ernie Wattstenor saxophone
Stanton Davistrumpet
Tom Harrelltrumpet
Ray Andersontrombone
Paul Motiandrums
Joe Daleytuba
Sharon FreemanFrench horn
Where next?
More by Charlie Haden
All 44 albums →
The musicians on this record
Sound of Love 1997
Paul Motian
plays drums (drum set) here
plays drums (drum set) here
Rush Hour 1995
Joe Lovano
plays tenor saxophone here
plays tenor saxophone here
