Recording: Nate Wooley's Columbia Icefield

Artist: Nate Wooley's Columbia Icefield

Songs: [two excerpts from a suite]^*

Recorded at Standard Time (TONE presents), May 17, 2024.

Nate Wooley's Columbia Icefield - [excerpt 1]

Nate Wooley's Columbia Icefield - [excerpt 2]

My understanding is that this tour from trumpeter Nate Wooley’s quartet was partially to roadtest a new suite of compositions before recording. A tribute to Wooley's mentors and collaborators Ron Miles and Fred Hess, the pieces (incorporating some of Miles' phrases) were introduced as a way of "mourning loudly and softly". With Susan Alcorn (pedal steel guitar), Ava Mendoza (guitar), and Ryan Sawyer (drums) on board, there was room for a wide sonic range, with solo spots for everyone segueing into quiet reflections, jaunty tunes, and driving rockers.

^* Not sure if the individual segments have separate titles, but this will be updated in the future when at least the full piece's name is known.

Recording: Susan Alcorn

Artist: Susan Alcorn

Song: The Healer [excerpt]

Recorded at Ratio, December 18, 2016.

Susan Alcorn - The Healer [excerpt]

This particularly thoughtfully-assembled Rough Idea production brought together three different sonic explorers for a night of deep-listening vibes. Pedal steel player Susan Alcorn got her start in Texas country bands, but has spent her lifetime pushing the boundaries of her instrument. Inspired by Pauline Oliveros and Messiaen, her avant-adventurousness is still grounded in twang and gospel touches, even as she pushes far beyond in her explorations. Coaxing remarkably-subtle colourings from a notoriously-fickle instrument, this was Alcorn's first visit to Toronto, leaving rather a spellbinding impression. [My mics weren't quite up to the task of capturing these wonderfully-hushed and subtle sounds, so take this as a pale shadow of what was heard in the room before exploring further.]