Marc Ribot’s resume reads like a who’s who of the musical elite and accomplished; Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, John Lurie and the Lounge Lizards, Marianne Faithfull, John Zorn, Joe Henry and Medeski, Martin and Wood. Hailing from New Jersey Ribot didn’t have to travel far in order to get to New York and quickly immerse himself in the downtown scene. The breadth of influences he brought with him is easily seen with even a quick glance of the albums and bands he has been a part of. From punk, to film soundtracks, to cuban, to jazz, to rock they have all been effected by his unique and totally personal sound. His tone is immediately recognizable and his touch both edgy and graceful. Any recording he has added to has benefitted from it. His approach to the guitar and music has helped to reassert feeling and intention over prowess and technique, but has done so without sacrificing any of former.
As a leader, his recordings with The Rootless Cosmopolitans, Shrek and Los Cubanos Postizos offer glimpses into his personality and musical interests. A collection of very personal recordings for Tzadik show an intimate and private world of sound not fully explored with previous bands. Marc is that rare musician who is better understood once his work as a leader is heard alongside his work with others. His ability to compliment and add to the music of others becomes even more impressive when balanced against the very personal sound of his own music. His accompaniment talents are immediately evident as his voice comes through the music without detracting from its own sound and personality. While many musicians today are hired for what they bring to the music it can be said that Marc is hired for what he brings out of the music. With his experiences and history this possibility seems to be limitless.
The 56th Annual Down Beat Critic’s Poll results are in and we are pleased to say that a number of Pi Recording’s artists have been recognized for their work over the past year.
Muhal Richard Abrams received 32 votes towards Hall of Fame consideration.
The Vijay Iyer Quartet received 33 votes in the Rising Star Jazz Group category. Additionally, Vijay received 47 votes in the Rising Star Composer category, 28 votes in the Rising Star Jazz Artist category and 60 votes in the Rising Star Piano category. Tyshawn Sorey also received Rising Star Jazz Artist consideration with 23 votes as well as 29 votes in the Rising Star Drums category.
Roscoe Mitchell received 38 votes in the Soprano Saxophone category.
Rudresh Mahanthappa received 23 votes in the Alto Saxophone category and 85 votes in the Rising Star Alto Saxophone category. Steve Lehman also received Rising Star Alto Saxophone with 48 votes.
Henry Threadgill received 39 votes in the Flute category.
Corey Wilkes received 35 votes in the Rising Star Trumpet category.
Marc Ribot received 26 votes and James “Blood” Ulmer received 25 votes in the Guitar category. Additionally, “Blood” received 50 votes in the Blues Artist/Group category.
Pi Recordings would like to thank all of the critics who recognize the work of our artists year after year.
posted on July 13, 2008 by Seth
Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog was reviewed on NPR’s Day to Day by David Was on the 4th of July. Calling Marc “…Mercurial in the best possible sense…” David hypes the new Ceramic Dog recording Party Intellectuals with this pretty weighty line, “… one expects this recording to be nothing less than a meditation on modern music.”
posted on July 8, 2008 by Seth
Our week was capped off with this great review of our latest release: Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog’s Party Intellectuals in the New York Times Sunday Playlist where Nate Chinen wrote: “…the musicianship is intense regardless of the subtext, with all three players hurling themselves into their effort. They have an equally convincing way with bruising thrash punk, one-chord-vamp heroics and brooding atmospherics. And with one Cuban-flavored ballad, “For Malena,” Mr. Ribot expresses evidence of a heart to match his reserve of wits and soul.” Thanks Nate!
posted on June 22, 2008 by Seth
This has been a good week for Marc Ribot and Ceramic Dog. A nice feature in The Village Voice and Time Out New York and then a killer show in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park.
If you haven’t heard Ceramic Dog yet, you will. Pi Recordings will be releasing their first recording Party Intellectuals next week. Curious what they sound like? Here’s how Marc describes their origins, “..apparently born out of a quasi-freakout regarding his sudden need to rock. “It was one of those blinding, post-9/11 revelations of: ‘Oh my God — I’m going to die someday, and I haven’t directly tried to do a rock band,’ ” he recalls. “And as with many of those blinding revelations, it turned out to be partly valid and partly bullshit.”
posted on June 20, 2008 by Seth
Party Intellectuals
Spiritual Unity