Episode 5: Bill Frisell

Bill Frisell visited 1034 Audubon Drive on a snowy night in February of 2015 captivating the audience with his incomparable skill. During this episode, Frisell plays to the heartstrings of everyone in the room, talks about his experiences, and mentions the profound affects he feels being in Elvis' home. Joining him on drums that night was drummer and percussionist Kenny Wollesen.
eveningatelvis.org
eveningatelvis/

[@nickarne5670]

Not sure if there’s an official setlist with time stamps. Here it goes: 1. Shenandoah (Traditional) 8:25 2. House of the Rising Sun (Traditional) 18:20 3. That’s All Right (Crudup) 25:00 4. Love Me Tender (Poulton/Darby) 29:40 5. Epistrophy (Monk) 35:00 6. Bumpin’ On Sunset (Montgomery) 42:00 7. Nobody’s Fault But Mine (Johnson) 48:00 8. A Change Is Gonna Come (Cooke) 51:00 9. Can’t Help Falling In Love (Peretti/Creatore/Weiss) 54:50 10. Messin’ With The Kid (London) 1:00:25

[@TechJunky777]

Saw him about 20 yrs ago in Toronto! He said the second set wasn’t sold out so just bring your ticket and you’ll get into the second show with a completely different set. Of course we did… best day ever!!!!! Thanks Bill 🥰

[@fingerstyle_basel]

Ive been listening to this for years and to me these 60 minutes or what are still the best piece of music on the whole internet

[@30mouse]

Agreed!! I have listened so many times, and it is still fresh and incomparable

[@editorjuno]

There's nothing like hearing a great virtuoso who understands the beauty of simplicity -- unless it's a great virtuoso whose gentle demeanor and sincere modesty bespeak an ego relegated to its rightfully subordinate place. How can anyone not love this guy?

[@DavidTopazDaddy91]

His music "bores" my girlfriend. -_-; Then again, for some reason, a lot of women don't seem to care for instrumental music, or a lot of the stuff outside of pop, or things that require attention and focusing on to really listen to. She "doesn't like Jazz", which is only a part of what he does. I'm learning Jazz now, mainly because of this guy.

[@lexxreyes1632]

maybe a new girl bro. ?

[@DavidTopazDaddy91]

+LeXx Reyes Naww we're fine haha, just wish she appreciated jazz

[@lexxreyes1632]

😜

[@superyuyo4060]

thanks god my wife's really into frisell, bro, etc :)

[@DanRelayer_Ukraine]

he's gotta be the most kind-hearted and gentle person in entire jazz music

[@junka22]

he's a treasure!

[@d1i2a3n4n5e6]

He is so humble. When he signed my folk songs cd he said “gee I had hair back then”

[@001mhu]

don't forget toots thielemans ;)

[@sonder152]

As someone that has met him, I can confirm that this is absolute true. I find it amazing given how prolific it is and how many musicians/groups that he's played with that he's shy, he is a man with heart and legendary skills.

[@MrMmcdaid9]

@@001mhu - Never.

[@richardfuller5615]

The more I hear of Bill Frisell, the more he becomes my favourite guitarist. He truly takes you on a musical journey, not just a display of his chops or virtuosity. The 'space' he creates allows the sensitive listener access to his musical language. A true musician.

[@NatFreeman666]

In the tune at 41:55, Bill loops a riff a little off time. You can tell knows it, and so does the drummer, and the best part is how well he handles getting himself out of the situation - using an effect on his DL4 to play the loop backwards, effectively making it non-rhythmic. It's the big things (musicianship, humility, melody, style), but also the little ones like this that make him one of my favorite guitarists!

[@foobargorch]

the camera crew also deserves kudos for the way they handled moment =)

[@BerkleeAlumni]

+Nathaniel Noton-Freeman gotta smile and roll with those happy accidents!

[@bobbysbackingtracks]

Yeah I saw that too...brilliant.

[@BenwaMeneers]

I hear Zechriel by Bar Kokhba in this tune ?

[@carguy3460]

Turned it from a mistake into an awesome ambient swell. So friggin' deft!

[@local-teen]

I love his style. It has a painterly quality about it. The brush strokes are long, and swirling; they form impressionistic renderings of memories.

[@lp1926.guitars]

best description of his style I've ever come across. 100% agree!

[@ThomasWallis-vh3wv]

Hear hear. I agree.

[@blakedhansen]

Bill Frisell is one of the few jazz guitar players who has found his own voice and excelled. Although I like most straight-ahead players, I like how Bill draws from the complete American musical lexicon.

[@alextw13jf]

It's embarrassing that I come across to such a musician only today, being almost 50, after reading a post about Telecasters in a blog!!! But it was worth it, what a talented artist, what a magical tone and what an absolute bliss to listen to!! And thank God not another super fast shredder but someone who cares about music and not his ego. You have an instant fan here, Mr Frisell.

[@nickkomanowski9503]

I hope you continued on and checked out more of Bill's catalog. On his self-named website he also has several similarly stellar live shows for sale.

[@GOGOLH]

The only problem is that he's been highly prolific, so there's a hell of a lot of catching up to do. His output is also incredibly varied, so you're never too sure which of his many bags you're getting, but it's all great! He's like Miles, he transcends his instrument.

[@wences71]

Man, I feel the same. But I'm happy and greatful for that find! Life changing even for a middle age (lol) guitarrist/musician

[@christopherem3108]

The audience is so fortunate to see Bill Frissel play is such a small, intimate setting, and especially as a duo. Amazing.

[@jhesbol]

This performance was exactly what I needed this morning. I've been having some deep seeded confusion about the direction of my playing, especially my practice, and this really helped me to sift through the muck. Thank you for making this available for all to witness. Beautiful.

[@nitroxsam66]

Jonathan Hesbol : just let it go where it wants to, freely, naturally and spontaneously. Exclude no influence and let everything come out.

[@aorden]

What he does harmonically is not easy; it just looks that way. Non standard intervalic chord structures and lines....you won't hear much anywhere else. Worth studying. I saw him live at a club in Montreal and was blown away.

[@curtrod]

yeah he's great and unique

[@jopavel]

he's just out of this world

[@Huntington2012ify]

Bill Frisell incorporates better than any Jazz guitar player a big piece of Americana, from the long sustaining notes of Hawaiin music to the sweet tone and attack of the master from Indianapolis, Wes Montgomery. He is the Mark Twain of Jazz guitar and a national treasure!

[@albertorivera7937]

A national treasure sounds about right.

[@samferguson9171]

"Mark Twain of jazz guitar"! I'm stealing that!

[@titobattaglia7932]

As a European I’d suggest that he is not only a (US) national treasure, but a Heritage of humanity.

[@Stoner075C]

As someone who lives nearby the Strait of Magellan, I'll second that.

[@Korsaro1]

yes !

[@AlexBorowski]

Can we put together a setlist? I know this much: 8:26 - Shenandoah 17:53 - House of the Rising Son That's All Right (credit to Ryan Elwood) Love Me Tender (credit to TCVT) Epistrophy Bumpin' at the Sunset A Change is Gonna Come (credit to Ryan Elwood) 54:43 - Can't Help Falling In Love With You Messin' With the Kid (credit to jim swainston)

[@tcvt7906]

+Alex Borowski The ballad was "love me tender"

[@jimswainston]

+Alex Borowski 1:00:27 Messin'With The Kid

[@HarmoActive]

There is another theme - Nobody's Fault But Mine (Blind Willie Johnson) starting at 48:50, between Bumpin' At The Sunsent and A Change Is Gonna Come. All this music is so beautiful I can't find the words to describe it.

[@hellothere8425]

I know that he didn’t go there, but for a brief moment I thought he was headed for Jeff Buckley’s version of Cohen’s Hallelujah coming out of Shenandoah

[@mst7155]

Thank you so much Mr Alex Borowski. By the way do you know any blues oriented album of Bill Frissel?

[@giuseppepascali1537]

Probably the best thing I've seen in my life.

[@giordanopagotto7940]

Damn... This huge amount of marvelous music is created by 1 guitarist (the greatest guitarist alive IMHO) and 1 drummer only... damn...

[@superyuyo4060]

Bill Frisell and Jakob Bro... My two favourite guitarist right now. So lucky to be in the same world at the same time

[@colindowell6427]

I saw Bill on two consecutive nights at the Sydney Opera House a couple of years ago....the magic of those nights is still with me.

[@9monava]

I feel truly alive listening to Bill Frisell!

[@RonWinter335]

Love Bill...he reminds me of a different extension of musical expressions by Jim Hall, George Van Eps, John Abercrombie, Ted Greene...so many players that truly understand the interweaving of harmony, melody and improvisation. Bravo!

[@drumeversions]

This guy´s got a way of completely hypnotizing me..takes me somewhere else every time.

[@JCHaywire]

This appears to be the Bill Frisell DREAM GIG. I mean--c'mon!? What could be better than this intimate setting, a superbly respectful audience, and Bill utterly ON his game? Wow.

[@EmilErnebroGuitar]

Incredible guitarist. I am crying..

[@Frogtongue1981]

55:32 the girls' reaction was so nice and sweet :) And certainly this arrangement was so beautiful and soul-smoothing

[@GregHeimbecker]

I had the distinct pleasure of seeing him in December in a small church sanctuary in Boulder with Brian Blade & Ron Miles with an audience just slightly bigger, maybe 60 folks. Three sweeter musicians would be hard to find! After saying hello to my old friend Ron I geeked out with Bill over the Strymon Flint he had added to the pedal board for a bit. He's done pretty well for a clarinet player... LOL

[@GlennMichaelThompson]

It's astonishing how well these two musicians communicate with each other. Spontaneous, yet knowing each other's musicianship so well there are parts which effortlessly follow an inherent structure. A great balance of surprise/unpredictability/dissonance, and knowing/having each other's back/consonance/&resolution. It's difficult for me to put into words... so that's the closest I'm going to get for now. :0)

[@MarcoFerragina]

I keep listening to this video while I'm at work. Really love it. Only drums and guitar, minimal, magic, dreamy :)

[@danielbjornmo3066]

Bill Frisell is just so amazing. He inspires me so much, I listen to him all the time!

[@ronshalita]

just yesterday I got into Bill, now i am looking all over the place for his videos... he really is a totally unassuming nice man.. love his playing.. thank you for posting this..

[@GregHeimbecker]

Don't be afraid to go and BUY his work he is still trying to make a living! (I have over 30 Frissell CD and more on vinyl as well) There is also a nice live download series out (I have purchased about 18 of those I think)

[@pontus268]

Amazing player! Check out the album "Angel Song" with Kenny Wheeler, Dave Holland, Lee Konitz & Bill. The track "Kind Folk" contains what must be one of my absolute favourite solos by him

[@robertgiles9124]

Agree; Angel Song is one of the best jazz recordings ever, and I love how they all play on it.

[@mybookfacetube]

One of my all time favourite albums @@pontus268

[@nickkomanowski9503]

Bill's widely available "Solos" DVD is just that - a set of solo guitar and Bill's inimitable loops. It's also utterly fantastic.

[@NeilRaouf]

Yes man...I wish more people could feel that stuff. The world would be a better place!

[@vincentsabatino4480]

Such Greatness and Humility all rolled into One Great Guitar Musician Whose Style will never be forgotten !

[@ricardosalcedo2824]

I must watched and/or listened to this 30 times and it's better every time!

[@gpiiimusic1705]

Such a wonderful and humble soul! What a great guitar player!

[@chivom23]

No words. A Master.

[@jsilence418]

+Ciro Jaumandreu Those are words .

[@robertoandreucci]

simply amazing the music under Frisell's fingers and every musician who accompanies him becomes magical regenerates whatever music it is that this was written five minutes ago or a song from the last century every moment of this concert is extraordinary unique and unrepeatable music should always be this regardless of gender

[@johnvliet523]

! ! ! A - W - E - S - O - M - E ! ! ! I never use that word, but really. Love, he makes the tele a whole orchestra.

[@EMWoodworking]

So deliberate with every note. Proof that playing as many notes as possible at lightning speed does not equal better. Nothing against fast playing, but there is a time for all things. This is tasty as a pecan pie.

[@jwblanton]

I had the exact same reaction as the girl at 55:30. How nicely woven in was that melody?! Super fine Bill and Kenny!!!!

[@riveravaldez]

Amazing. They sound like four guys. I mean: four inspired, extremely creative and tasteful guys.

[@ThomasVogtFreiburg]

Bill’s music is a healer ❤️

[@triadicpath]

Such a unique artist! His style can crossover to many genres!

[@arrigoaxia]

Average ambient guitar player: I need to add another custom boutique pedal- filled board to my rig. Bill Frisell: gimme that DL4. And a tubescreamer maybe

[@americanbystandard]

different style of playing, but yeah Bill is the master.

[@_baalshamin]

He also uses a EHX Freeze

[@MacopacoyVictoria]

your comment is a direct reflection of your musical knowledge. Try to listen.... This man is a genius.

[@arrigoaxia]

@@MacopacoyVictoria he's my favourite guitar player ever. A little bit of humour sometimes does miracles ;)

[@mikedenkinger9570]

Imagine if he used a Strum on Big Sky?

[@danielbatail9095]

C'est toujours un émerveillement d'écouter Bill Frisell qui , en plus d'être un musicien des plus talentueux est resté d'une modestie peu commune et chez qui l'on sent le plaisir de jouer et de partager sa musique. Quelqu'un de bien .

[@pippotones]

Bill is a very very very cool musician....and a good guy.....

[@JoeCiliberto]

Shenandoah - A song to help Americans who forgot to remember, when we had a chance to be great people. Once we got passed these mountains, we were forever lost.

[@displaychicken]

Listening to Frisell is like a having a beautiful but slightly unsettling dream about Route 66.

[@curtrod]

I appreciate your imagery, but there's nothing unsettling about this 😊

[@Orasijas]

I can't stop marveling at Bill Frisell's artistry, talent, and subtlety. I wish he was my sensei :) .

[@SPLENDIDZEN]

* * * * * * SIX GOLDEN STARS!...Note: Beautiful performance!...

[@francescodefelice6650]

Mister Frisell you are a genius . if we can all describe the music , Well you are exactly what is all about the music. I love the cotton field,humidity ,and all about you describe how magic the music come alive ,the presence and the expression. I know exactly that dimension, I felt it many time Before. You have being part of in my daly functionality . No To many left in the world. Thanks for exiting.

[@dougberendsohn2805]

It sounds like the heartland of America.

[@Invinciblebass432]

his skill really is incomparible! that just blew my mind way open

[@bobbysbackingtracks]

What a gift to humanity.

[@nicoleberger2717]

Trop bon, ça me donne des frissons à chaque écoute!

[@haimlute]

Pure magic, a true virtuoso, not an acrobat that runs fast with a tiny message. Bill Frisell my favorite electric guitar player with Wes Montgomery.

[@MelodicDreamers]

Thank you for uploading this. I would have so loved to be there.

[@harmvonlintig7146]

Bill Frisell brought so much depth into the simple and popular phrases and melodies of American pop culture. He quotes riffs and turns them into a work of art. He combines seriousness with irony. And turn it into meaning.

[@porkyoak]

honestly wow. this is extraordinary.

[@hannahmorgan3846]

best pre show interview I've ever seen

[@mortonwilson795]

Such a wonderful musician - heard him live, once here in HK - and I got lotsa the records :)

[@ThiagoBragaMusic]

Bill is amazing... His music comes in my heart! Very creative in use of the effects/pedals and wonderful interpretations!!! Lovely guitar sounds... Sweet sound! Amazing! Cheers of Brazil!

[@AlexSosaBolivia]

Nobody in the audience looking at their cell phones? Almost as impressive as Bill's playing!

[@Alanoffer]

Shenandoa is my favorite piece of his ,

[@sheercerebralpower]

Mesmerizingly beautiful…..

[@cristianvm10]

Fantástico! a fantastic summary of the beginning of rock, enriched

[@vinny2976]

Listening to Bill get into Wes Montgomery at around the 41:31 mark and followed up with Elvis after that was really special IMHO. He gets tones and harmonics out of Telecaster I did not think were possible. Even though it's kinda hopeless, I'm inspired to put flatwounds on my Tele and warm up the tube amp.

[@dmoss74]

i've always loved bill f, but now have a greater appreciation for him, after seeing he uses the "grolsch gasket" strap locks! rock on, brother. "there is a house..."

[@raypolakovic1290]

Ha! I just bought some myself!

[@raypolakovic1290]

And I noticed the same thing :-)

[@steviegaga]

At his finest Bill Frisell captured the heart of Memphis here with great help from Tom Wollaston.

[@guillermocaso7453]

Great The Young FRISELL, Amazin Guitar Sound Ideas and a Very Simple Expose of Modern American Music Fusion

[@chr15tree]

How have I never heard of Bill Frisell before?

[@nickkomanowski9503]

Then us Frisell fanatics are *jealous*. You have so much brilliance within Bill's oeuvre yet to discover!

[@thenewoutdoors]

The maestro at work, all i can do is bask in the glory

[@BrockDavisson]

23:32 I am shocked, a kid actually feeling it and taking it all in and not on his phone!

[@9monava]

Also, Kenny Wollesen's equally soulful vibe and beautiful communication...

[@freudensammlerzweitkanal6296]

This is awesome!

[@richs4878]

22:15 House of the Rising Sun.....fantastic. Going to see him next month in SF. I got 7th row center tix. So psyched!

[@harriheinsoo]

one of his best concerts!

[@mattwilliam4803]

-I'm from Memphis, and I just bought a Squier Stratocaster off Craigslist - I want to learn how to play the guitar.. I mean this, in only the best possible way... although Bill Frisell's been playing his entire life, he strikes me as a guy who's just now discovering the guitar, too ✨✨✨✨ -p.s. back in the 80's, I saw Shawn Lane play, at a club down on Beale Street.. he played a very🔥nice rendition, of "Hotel California", and we were formally introduced between sets... hats off, to Mr. Lane.

[@atarirob]

Reposting Alex Borowski's comment, just because I want it at the top (I watch this video at least once a month). Can we put together a setlist? I know this much: Shenandoah House of the Rising Son That's All Right (credit to Ryan Elwood) Love Me Tender (credit to TCVT) Epistrophy Bumpin' at the Sunset A Change is Gonna Come (credit to Ryan Elwood) Can't Help Falling In Love With You Messin' With the Kid (credit to jim swainston)

[@displaychicken]

Thank you freind

[@1022rebelreddog]

bill is s humble, unassuming.......this is 1 of the greatest guitarist omn earth.

[@mariomele1990]

Dá gosto de ver Bill Frisell tocar! Trata a guita com muito amor!

[@davemorrison-amurderofcrow287]

What a beautiful player.

[@canalrodrigobetim]

My God.... Wonderful... Perfect love this... 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷👽👽

[@donleblanc7223]

my bill frisell cd,s now out number my steely dan collection.

[@1minrecording]

amazing performance by Bill and Kenny! Bravo.

[@tatialo37]

Master of masters!!!!

[@Becker333]

Love him love this. Love his music. Hidden treasure to most folks...I call this electronic Americana

[@enkiea8322]

Fantastic stuff.

[@mannyfragoza9652]

sounds like Bill was using an EQD Afterneath pedal that swirling reverberation sounds amazing The cam just showed his pedalboard it's the Green Monster Line 6 Delay pedal wow no wonder it was the most sort after pedal back in the day.

[@sooperheep]

It’s just the hall of fame reverb and the delay

[@mannyfragoza9652]

@@sooperheep ah ok very cool sounds

[@jerryderr8043]

17:58 If you want a look at his pedals, here they are.

[@raypolakovic1290]

What's the one between the Freeze and the Tube Screamer?

[@robertbodle2354]

looks like an ehx nano metal muff ; )

[@crispyexperience7782]

@@robertbodle2354 exactly!

[@Requiredfields2]

We're all in the same boat plugging away trying to get it together.

[@eliezerpaulgasparbelmonte2004]

Amazing performance

[@giuseppeprimerano5687]

Which great musician and excellent guitarist!

[@westrig180]

I love Bill he is such an atmospheric player yet humble musician ! Funny...here he seems to be channeling Harry Carey on Vicodin ! ha !

[@zydecobill]

Then there is Bill Frisell.

[@100streamliner]

Magnificent! Amazing quality of music!

[@mst7155]

I knew Bill Frisell is a very interesting guitarist that plays not only Jazz. This performance is an example.The music is beautiful!!!!!! Thank you Mr Bill Frisell.A lot of thanks for the upload.A question : does anybody know a blues oriented album of this great guitarist?

[@cindybradley6961]

Gone, Just Like A Train

[@BradMaestas]

Bill and Kenny killing it as usual. Somebody pour some ice water on that drowsy bro in the back.

[@NovaChristiePierRanuJoeDavidDb]

he talks from his heart through music. amazing. i remember egg radio. also great stuff

[@alftupper9359]

Beautiful, colour and space. Tone.