Quartet Musicians Featured:

• Jeff Parker - Electric Guitar

• Cathlene Pineda - Acoustic Piano

• Dylan Ryan - Drums

• Anthony Shadduck - Double Bass

Double Quartet Musicians Featured:

• Danny Frankel - Drums

• Philip Greenlief - Tenor Saxophone

• Danny T. Levin - Valve Trombone, Euphonium, Alto Horn

• Alex Sadnik - Alto Saxophone

• Anthony Shadduck - Double Bass

• Chad Taylor - Drums

• Kris Tiner - trumpet

• David Tranchina - Double Bass

Album Artwork:

• Cover Painting by Norton Wisdom

• Back Cover Photography by Devin O’Brien.

Press: “Deserving more exposition, bassist Anthony Shadduck emerges on the scene with a fresh compositional vision that encompasses both restrained and boisterous forces. “ — Jazz Trail

Also reviewed in Bird is the Worm and Free Jazz Blog.

Liner Notes by Nels Cline:

This beautiful recording by Southern California bassist and sometime bandleader Anthony Shadduck is, as I write these notes, currently untitled. But it very well could be called "Two Sides Of Anthony Shadduck". Side one features a collection of songs performed by a pliant and almost pristine quartet playing songs by Ornette Coleman, Paul Motian, Chris Schlarb, and Shadduck himself, while side two finds Anthony leading a loose, rocking and roiling double quartet performing more obliquely structured pieces and employing a healthy dose of spontaneous improvisation. Both ensembles strike my ear as CLASSIC, spanning the areas of jazz impressionism and edgy-yet-controlled "free jazz" with dedication and distinction.
In his quartet, Anthony favors mostly modal, pastoral material, expertly assayed by pianist Cathlene Pineda, drummer Dylan Ryan, and (personal favorite) guitarist Jeff Parker. Starting off with a rendition of Ornette's "Law Years" , approached with an almost ballad-like manner reminiscent of some of Paul Motian's early recordings, they set the tone for a breezy set of which Shadduck's beautiful "Ozarks Gift" - a tribute to bassist Charlie Haden, whose influence looms happily in both Shadduck's playing and in this record - may be the highlight. His inclusion of Paul Motian's "The Story of Maryam" serves to heighten this connection as the quartet emphasizes a breeziness in the piece that sparkles like summer rain. "Ambient" composer/guitarist and producer Chris Schlarb's "The Starry King Hears Laughter" (no, it's not a King Crimson cover) benefits similarly from this relaxed yet forward-leaning approach.
If the quartet brings us into its swirl with a crystalline intimacy, the double quartet on side two brings sudden bluster and extemporaneous invention to bear on the proceedings, though with no loss of clarity/coherence. The estimable drum team of greats Chad Taylor and Danny Frankel lays down serious groove as California brass and woodwind wonders Phillip Greenlief and Kris Tiner (please do some research and catch up with these gentlemen and their work) plus Alex Sadnik and Danny Levin coalesce and break off into solos, bolstered by simpatico bassists Shadduck (our fearless leader) and Dave Tranchina. This double quartet continues the "classic" nature of this record as it reminds one of Andrew Hill's "Compulsion!" and Ornette's "Science Fiction" sessions, among others. Freewheeling chemistry in the house. Powerful. Stunning.
Let's hear it for creative music from Southern California and for keeper of the creative music flame Anthony Shadduck! Inspired and inspiring; they go together like freedom and structure, like energy and repose. These "two sides of Anthony Shadduck" are shining examples of this balance.