Sylvie Courvoisier and Mary Halvorson
Bone Bells
Pyroclastic Records
The title of the new album by Sylvie Courvoisier and Mary Halvorson evokes mystery and occult knowledge. What are bone bells? My imagination conjures images of ornate preparations of skeletons in a remote Tibetan monastery to be used in esoteric ceremonies.
The music on Bone Bells is quiet and meditative. The musicians leave a lot of space between the notes. Courvoisier’s piano plays minimalist parts that complement Halvorson’s contemplative guitar parts. The pair float between worlds with elements of chamber music, straight ahead jazz, and free improvisation appearing in the mix. “Nag’s Head Valse” is a playful composition by Sylvie that makes me think of a reality splintered circus. “Silly Walk” draws inspiration from Monty Python and a series of grid-like sculptures of the same name by the Swiss artist Sophie Bouvier Ausländer. The song features fragmented piano lines that go from simple melody to wild flights of dissonance. The title track, “Bone Bells,” is a haunting tune featuring Mary’s guitar textures floating over Sylvie’s piano.
Bone Bells exists somewhere between new chamber music and jazz. It’s a rewarding listening experience for the adventurous.
