{"title":"Ralph Towner","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRalph Towner is a US-American multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and bandleader. He was born in Chehalis, Washington on March 1, 1940. With his exceptional talent and versatility, Towner has established himself as one of the most influential figures in contemporary jazz and classical music.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTowner's unique musical style blends elements of jazz, folk, and classical genres to create captivating compositions that showcase his virtuosity on various instruments. As a member of the renowned group *Oregon*, he has collaborated with fellow musicians such as *Eberhard Weber*, *Bobo Stenson Trio*, *Terje Rypdal*, and many others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout his illustrious career, Towner has released numerous critically acclaimed albums both as a solo artist and with various ensembles. His innovative approach to composition and improvisation has earned him widespread recognition and accolades from audiences and critics alike. Experience the mesmerizing sounds of Ralph Towner's music today.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"at-first-light-3","title":"At First Light","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn ECM artist for his entire musical career, US guitarist Ralph Towner has built up a unique body of work in his recordings for the label.   \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCentral to his oeuvre are his solo albums, the first of which, \u003ci\u003eDiary\u003c\/i\u003e, was issued 50 years ago. \u003ci\u003eAt First Light\u003c\/i\u003e extends this great tradition, drawing inspiration from a broad palette of music. \"My solo recordings have always included my own compositions in which there are trace elements of the many composers and musicians that have attracted me,\" writes Towner in a liner note, citing the influence of, among others, George Gershwin, John Coltrane, John Dowland and Bill Evans: \"I feel that \u003ci\u003eAt First Light\u003c\/i\u003e is a good example of shaping this expanse of influences into my personal music.\"   \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn addition to his own pieces, Towner also plays Hoagy Carmichael's \"Little Old Lady\", Jule Styne's \"Make Someone Happy\" and the traditional tune \"Danny Boy.\"  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRecorded at Auditorio Stelio Molo RSI, Lugano, in February 2022, \u003ci\u003eAt First Light\u003c\/i\u003e was produced by Manfred Eicher.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRalph Towner: classical guitar\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ECM","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50383977808203,"sku":"2019693","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP","offer_id":50383977906507,"sku":"2017439","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_12cc62c2_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726983815"},{"product_id":"five-years-later-2","title":"Five Years Later","description":"\u003cp\u003eSargasso Sea in 1976 was the debut duo disc of great American guitarists Ralph Towner and John Abercrombie. On their follow-up recording Five Years Later - and it did come in 1981 - their improvisations draw on a wider sonic palette, to telling effect. That recording is now being re-issued for the first time on CD, simultaneously with a 180g vinyl version.   \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Something special happens when they play together\" observed Robert Palmer in the New York Times, and the participants concurred. \"Playing with John is one of my favourite things to do,\" said Ralph Towner. \"I can play as much as when playing solo, and still get to ply my skills as accompanist. John is such an amazing person to play with that, even when he's playing intensely or aggressively, we somehow fit together and there's really no way that we could collide.\"\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eAt the beginning of 2014, ECM issues seven important recordings from its back catalogue, all in 180g vinyl and CD, most of which have been out of stock for many years. For both CD and LP versions, the original analog recordings are issued in deluxe cardboard sleeves.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003ePersonnel: John Abercrombie (acoustic and electric guitars, electric 12-string guitar, mandolin guitar), Ralph Towner (12-string and classical guitars)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ECM","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50401425391947,"sku":"2017649","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"LP","offer_id":50401425817931,"sku":"2017656","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_768efe0c_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726522284"},{"product_id":"chiaroscuro-3","title":"Chiaroscuro","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe debut album from a duo with a most uncommon instrumentation, acoustic guitar and trumpet - but it's a highly attractive combination. Ralph Towner, guitarist extraordinaire, an ECM artist since 1972, is joined by Italian trumpet star Paolo Fresu, making his label debut for ECM.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBright melodies and subtle colours prevail in a programme of old and new Ralph Towner compositions, plus improvisations, and a favourite from Kind of Blue era Miles Davis. The choice of \"Blue in Green\" as the sole cover version here says something about the aesthetic priorities of both musicians. These are players who understand the power of silence and melodic clarity. Fresu's trumpet playing, with his clear vibratoless sound, has often been compared with that of Miles Davis.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eTowner first encountered Fresu 15 years ago, at a festival in Sardinia where the guitarist had been commissioned to write music for an ensemble. Paolo was the trumpet player. \"From the first phrase he played I thought: wow, this guy really understands melodies!\" The piece played that day, \"Punta Giara\", is revisited here. \"Sacred Place\" and \"Doubled Up\" are the first recordings to feature Ralph's new baritone guitar, tuned a fifth below standard guitar tuning. The instrument, reaching down for the deep notes, wonderfully balances Fresu's flugelhorn. Elsewhere Ralph's classical guitar sings in its unique way. Perfect moments, like a flaring of fireworks.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eChiaroscuro is Ralph Towner's 22nd album as a leader for ECM, in a discography with well over 30 titles. Alongside the landmark recordings like Diary, Solstice and Batik, this one has all the hallmarks of a classic.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003ePersonnel: Ralph Towner (classical, baritone and 12-string guitars), Paolo Fresu (trumpet, flugelhorn)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ECM","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50489167577419,"sku":"2017440","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_41fb6ad0_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727638397"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_fa41b3af_thumbnail_4096_3ad9cc84-0ac7-4279-b96d-459158906f2e.jpg?v=1726281369","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/ralph-towner.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}