Matt Munisteri & Bill Frisell at the Fretboard Journal

On May 24, 2016, Matt Munisteri and Bill Frisell stopped by the Fretboard Journal for a very special Facebook Live session. Based on the great response we've received from this set, this is the improved camera and audio (non-iPhone) from that session.
0:00 - "Jitterbug Waltz"
6:05 - "Give Me the Roses While I Live"
12:21 - "Old Folks"
14:58 - "Goodnight Irene"
20:30 - "Honeysuckle Rose"
Matt and Bill originally performed together at the first Fretboard Summit (www.fretboardsummit.com). We're happy to announce that Matt will once again be at the 2016 Fretboard Summit in San Diego (October 14-16, 2016).
Matt is playing a 1930 Gibson L-5; Bill is playing a vintage Gibson Hummingbird.
We also have a podcast (Fretboard Journal Podcast #110) with these two musicians discussing the NYC jazz scene in the '80s, Ornette Coleman, influences, Bill's collaboration with Vernon Reid and much more.
After this taping, Matt and Bill interviewed each other for a podcast that covered a lot of ground, incl. the NYC jazz scene of the mid '80s, Vernon Reid, Ornette Coleman and more. Listen to it here: www.fretboardjournal.com/podc...

[@espycare]

It's so stressful watching Bill play, but when I close my eyes it's so perfect.

[@petersaccoccio1664]

Great comments everyone! His acoustic gets that same shimmer that he gets with his electric. He always has that look of excitement and boyish grin, as if he is just as surprised and excited over the notes he plays. He plays the same way he speaks. Listen to him in an interview.He carefully chooses what he says, before he says it. There is pause and space when he talks, and that is exactly how his playing is. So beautiful.

[@Bryantkh13]

I have watched this so many times. I come back to it every few months

[@thomasharris7881]

Yeah I’m the same, it just gorgeous playing, if you like Matts playing he has a band called the earregulars that have loads of videos on KZbin. He really shines in a quartet.

[@chefsize]

Bill Frisell has this way of making it look like he’s struggling to hit everything, when it’s actually coming so effortless.

[@HugoYapIsHappy]

I think it may come off as struggling, but perhaps he's just being very thoughtful about everything he plays

[@chefsize]

@@HugoYapIsHappy Yeah, I mean I certainly wasn’t saying or implying it’s intentional, just that that is how he looks.

[@pawlowski6132]

Well put. Here here.

[@herveduret8453]

Thank you Bill for being such an inspiration for us artists

[@bajawkamare]

Soooo beautiful! I love Bill and now I've learned about Matt Munisteri. Bless you Fretboard Journal!

[@Trombonology]

Fantastic to hear Bill and Matt, two highly individual "voices" playing together, as well as solo. The Gibsons sound beautiful in the hands of these two favorites. And the material couldn't be better!

[@freddymclain]

this is a very nice pairing with equal skill levels. really fun.

[@atarirob]

Bill is the greatest, after the first song, the way he's like 'Ohhh man!', just so joyful. Awesome to see a musician so humbled over the music he creates.

[@lindaahzrauhn9554]

Yes!!!!

[@israelcox3570]

Gotta love how pleased Bill is after each song. Look at that huge smile on his face!!!

[@marchenoir505]

Yeux humides et sourire accroché pendant toute la session... Merci Matt, Bill & Fretboard !

[@chipdumo]

Matt is a really great player, very precise and thoughtful notes. Then there is his L-5 that is to die for. I once had it's twin and wish I had kept it. The two of them are really a treat to listen to.....no flashy stuff, just elegantly played music that is way tasty.

[@Rods52]

20:24, Bill's comment is priceless!!....a wonderful lesson for all....great playing from both.

[@thaddeusk4230]

It doesn't get much better than this.

[@jamespuleo3269]

Real nice to hear both on straight up acoustic, ~~~ Thanks, from Brooklyn NYC~~

[@maxbrown961]

I clicked this for Bill, but I'll be listening to a lot more of Matt's music, what a sound!

[@blufordbirdsong1834]

Great playing. Matt really gives a master class in comping here. Bill seems like the most gentle and inviting soul a person could meet. I am sure that he brings out the best in everyone who plays with him.

[@displaychicken]

I love these two. Matt has an incredible album with Whit Smith. Hell Among the Hedgehogs. Bill is a legend.

[@ptose]

his album dedicated to the Willard Robison music is amazing, highly recommended

[@jean-lucbersou758]

So Elegant . Rare guitar Duet all about Music . Hope Munisteri can share and talk with fans next time he travels to France . ( I remember Clermont Ferrand "Jazz en Tête " 2013 ) .Bill Frisell is a poet, so strong and delicate .Bravo and thanks to share .

[@erstwhilerambler]

I just love seeing Bill play that Hummingbird - probably the first time it's been put to use as a jazz machine!

[@jakelondon]

Underscores how much tone and sustain is coming out of his fingers.

[@votemiles]

This is just too bloody good.

[@pdbowman]

Am I crying? I might be crying.

[@epv1]

Even with an acoustic he still manages to sound just like Bill Frisell.

[@MrCurtisNolan]

jokessss

[@azimovwatts6425]

I must be my imagination but I know I was hearing volume swells happen.... supernaturally understated...

[@HugoYapIsHappy]

any well-intoned and set up guitar will sound like gold in the hands of a great player..

[@Crookthatsme]

Gotta love Bill Frisell - so casual in being inspirational.

[@dangreenwood]

This episode is still my happy place.

[@spinnact]

Watching these Bill Frisell videos makes me want to transcribe literally every note he hits. Such a beautiful player!

[@dennisluong1449]

This is gold, one of best live playing I’ve heard, still listening to it after years of accidentally stumbling on these live playing trying to better my guitar playing, soon after I played “give me roses while a live” at my grandma’s house.. to remind myself to love her before she pass and show it to her. Even tho she didn’t know English or understood it. It was enough for me to remember to love her and carry her memories in my soul and being. She recently passed a couple days after my 2nd son was born. Her endurance and love for her grandkids are beautiful.. I’m happy to have seen her on her last day and catch her last breath, I believed that I have not fulfilled everything my grandma wanted for me.. but at least i bore two great grandkids.. that was the only thing I could have fulfilled, while she was alive in loving memories of Tran Thi Ba 1-25-37 - 10-23-22

[@johnr8820]

Absolutely fantastic. I got completely lost in that first number.

[@tobysettle8595]

Gorgeous playing on gorgeous vintage instruments!! Incredibly sweet!

[@tonijimenez7846]

makes my day happier!!!

[@positivityduo]

Great. Interesting to hear the Archtop next to the Flat Top acoustically.

[@rogerkunkel1920]

Love this. Man, that L5 pops.

[@BiographiaLiteraria]

Here’s a song index, as far as I can make it out. Thanks for another fine video. 0:00 - Jitterbug Waltz (thanks mikejwolter1) 6:03 - Give Me the Roses While I Live 12:20 - Old Folks 14:43 - Goodnight Irene 20:26 - Honeysuckle Rose

[@wehaveasituation]

Wonderful warm interaction...the way it's supposed to be..

[@maxrb67]

Frisell is the most calm virtuoso and soulful person in the planet.

[@ThiagoBragaMusic]

Loved this!!!

[@birkenweg42]

This is just wonderful music. Thank you!

[@torontolarrivee7965]

Such a joy to watch

[@alandonaldson229]

Just beautiful !

[@jorge-dominguez]

Si hay algo que ennoblece nuestra vida, la musica de Bill Frisell. Gracias, muchas gracias Fretboard.

[@joshuacohen5618]

absolutely wonderful.

[@MrOdissea1978]

Thanks! Made my day🎶🎶

[@haimlute]

Awesome and much more than that, thanks so much!!!!

[@firecrackerheart]

holy amazing!

[@themarcoharder]

This is so beautiful.

[@paulclifford9008]

This is wonderful

[@lindaahzrauhn9554]

I think it looks effortless because he is making such an incredible effort to create the sounds he wants

[@danmartinazzi]

Real guitar players, no fake, no games, just art! ;)

[@ashmaan27]

very nice. loved that!!

[@danmartinazzi]

Always an inspiration!!! Stunning!!!!

[@choc36]

thanks for this great meeting Fretboard Journal!!

[@geecen]

GReat performance. Thanks!

[@MrCurtisNolan]

very beautiful playing

[@EliaMagyar]

Merci les gars, et très jolies guitares.

[@wadeadkins4927]

Yeah, these guys can play. Yes!

[@pawlowski6132]

Loves me a Hummingbird

[@sph33_]

I've watched this video so many times and come back to it often. In today's climate, seeing these two guys just enjoy themselves is so heartening.

[@LSchwartzMusic]

wow, this is killer!

[@lungflogger9]

my soul has gone, long long ago, but my body still walks the land

[@ronkopald]

Sick

[@fabivilla2442]

Bill seems to pull Matt into a musical vacuum without gravity, where their notes hang, sentences completed mid-air, blurring the lines of collaboration...

[@fransboy2591]

When watching Bill play its so visible that's its coming from a place deep inside of him! Not to many players I've seen relay that.

[@cottoneyejoe1able]

hey fretboard journal, see if you could get bill frisell and julian lage at your place to come and play together! it woulf be a hit!

[@MrLfingers]

This is so good...those old Gibsons are magical! (not to mention the amazing guitarists!) Pure music, that's how you listen and respond. No bullshit, no gratuitous grandstanding. I really love this.

[@fretlessblunder]

12:20. "Is it OK if I don't play? I just want to hear it."

[@miklovelka9797]

No Bill ist not okay. We want to hear you Play along

[@christianscazzieri]

Bill's the most wonderful human being on the planet.

[@LukeDallert]

Imagine Bill Frisell liking your guitar style and stuff like that...

[@OneMoreGrave]

Love you Bill! You're the coolest cat this side of the Mississippi 😎 What year are those beautiful guitars? Matt you awesome too buddy!

[@user-eu9fh5vw7t]

멋져

[@GuillermoCarrasco]

De Luxe !

[@philvanderyken9866]

Bill Frissel looks like Bernie Sanders with a guitar.

[@MrLfingers]

I know, right? :)

[@janmyskowski1204]

Bill smiles a hell of a lot more that Bernie, though. :-)

[@israelcox3570]

Who would give this a thumbs down? Come on, man...

[@sph33_]

The guitars sound just amazing. Love Bill. Out of curiosity, what microphone and interface do you use?

[@blerkh]

Are those Ear Trumpet Labs mics? Which models?

[@mikejwolter1]

jitterbug waltz is the first tune

[@haimlute]

That L-5 sounds wonderful, what string gauges do you use?

[@MM-ib6qh]

the chord / riff Bill plays at 16:17 / 16:18 is too cool for school

[@MickRose90]

that "shiiit" at the end.... nasty bill

[@jc-wx3sm]

do they have a project going together (tour/recording), or was it just a one time thing?

[@jc-wx3sm]

"I wish I knew more than two songs, boy" lol

[@fretboardjournal]

No, we just paired them together for this session. They also played together for a couple of songs at the Fretboard Summit last November. With any luck, one day they'll do something official.

[@ptose]

I truly hope to see that happen. It's truly a pleasure to hear these two gentlemen playing with this grace and sensitivity.

[@jimicwhite]

what brand/model is that archtop?

[@fretboardjournal]

That's a 1930 Gibson L-5 with a custom pickguard.

[@davidcadomusic4529]

what mic is on the right?

[@stratocluster]

Last word of the video.. "shit" :D

[@EliaMagyar]

Fais Gaffe Bill, ta corde elle frise, elle.

[@gefnuppland4810]

fanboy bill is the best bill

[@j.justinzimmerman9836]

Matt, you take all your ability and knowledge. You put it all out there, and, somehow, all I hear is, "Squeak Screech, Squeak Screech, Squeak Screech." I don't understand.

[@contactkeithstack]

J. Justin Zimmerman I think it has a lot to do with the microphone positioning

[@jensmeyer-beeck9511]

It rather has a lot to do with guitar playing.

[@johnr8820]

You couldn’t hold a candle to this man...I don’t understand the hate...just jealousy