Paul Bley - Trios 1965/66 Touching & Blood Revisited

2021 reissue

All 7 Tracks from "Touching" + 1

With the exception of a lengthy version of "Blood" (which is from a year later and has bassist Mark Levinson), this Paul Bley reissue CD features the pianist with bassist Ken Carter and drummer Barry Altschul in 1965. "Pablo" is a free improvisation but otherwise the compositions (by Bley, his wife at the time Carla Bley and Annette Peacock) contrast thoughtful moments with fiery group interaction.

The playing by the trio is at a high level and it is interesting to hear Paul Bley's mid-'60s avant-garde improvising style which offered a contrast to the more dense playing of Cecil Taylor.

AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow