Digging It Harder From Afar is
New Winds' third album, their first for the Disques Victo label. The avant-garde wind trio of
Robert Dick (flutes), Ned Rothenberg (saxophones, bass clarinet), and
J.D. Parran (clarinets, bass saxophone) recorded this CD one piece at a time from 1989 to 1994. Each member contributed at least one composition (two in the case of Rothenberg); two group improvisations were added. This album highlights the mastery of each musician and the group's ability to navigate through complex compositions and pockets of improvisation. "Dovetail" stands out because of the then-not-so-common use of samples of the musicians' playing, prepared by Rothenberg and triggered/treated by guest percussionist
Gerry Hemingway. The title track, penned by Dick and featuring his beautiful Roland Kirk-inspired flute style, opens the program with a kick. The last number also packs a surprise: "St. Louis Thank You Notes" is a spirited and joyfully twisted blues. Following a path similar to
Rova,
New Winds eschewed the saxophone quartet's more academic tendencies.
Digging It Harder From Afar is not as uplifting as its follow-up,
Potion, but it still features beautiful and inventive playing. ~ François Couture