Steve Wyzard
STARRING JACK DEJOHNETTE
Have you ever gotten rid of an album only to realize later you made a big mistake? That was my experience with pianist Richie (the album cover says Richard) Beirach's 1979 album Elm. Why did I get rid of it? Other than the usual "young and stupid" explanation, my best guess would be the gloomy Dieter Rehm artwork/design. Never-the-less I have thoroughly rectified my egregious mistake to where I am now an outspoken advocate of this hard-to-find and truly underrated album.
So with all due respect to Beirach for composing the album's five titles and leading the sessions, it is drummer Jack DeJohnette who steals the show and leaves the biggest impression. His continuously busy patterns throughout the album are downright awe-inspiring, and his ferocious solo near the end of "Snow Leopard" is enough to remind anyone that he belongs on the very short list of All Time Greats. Beirach's performances range from measured to blistering. Sometimes he elicits Bill Evans ("Sea Priestess"), and on the wandering "Ki", one is reminded of Joachim Kuhn. Bassist George Mraz contributes a wild bassline and solo to the previously mentioned "Snow Leopard" as well as the more angular "Pendulum". The title track has almost become a standard. Dedicated to Polish jazz violinist Zbigniew Seifert, who died of cancer (age 32) shortly before this recording, the stately piano theme of "Elm" is backed by DeJohnette's shimmering cymbals and Mraz's bedrock support.
Released on ECM and produced by Manfred Eicher, Elm fits in well with the label's ethos, yet is not hindered by the ECM cliches/trademarks that are often cited. Don't take the bait of comparing this album with Beirach's 1975 debut album Eon on the same label with different support. That album was a stiff uppercut to the jaw and is even harder to find than Elm. (Cynic's response: "They're waiting for a post-mortem to re-issue as a box-set.") After Elm, Beirach would record only two more albums (with John Abercrombie) on ECM, but he has recorded prodigiously elsewhere in many different contexts ever since. If this album should ever cross your path, don't make the mistake I did and let it disappear. It's that good!