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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 30, 2003)
Taurus: What are you doing this weekend? Check your PULS0 The local jazz musician and graduate student recorded his first solo album, a somber winter soundtrack CD review Aaron Shakra Pulse Reporter Unless you’re a student in the University’s School of Music, it’s unlikely the name Dave Gamwell will ring a bell. However, the local jazz musician and graduate stu dent has put out his own solo disc, “Flip Side of the Coin.” Camwell recorded the album during his master’s degree work at the University of Northern Colorado. He spent about 50 hours in the studio, although the record ing and mixing process took about a year. He discussed details about TRANSVJORL UNOfcCL ' TH\- 1I'ANjV\/[jU_D UNQbLLARfcP FILM TOUP IS A ran- nn i\/nW\\.f^ FILM FROM THE BEST SNOWBOARD £ no S THAT WILL LINE YOUR POCKETS WITH S m 2,n r r vn THE CHANCE TO WIN A SPUING SPEAK GE7AWAV * COLdRADO »« «<* SC^EEMIficSr UMtBl“os MONDAY FEBRUARY 3 PLC180 9:00 PM BROUGH I TO YOU BY THE U OF 0 SNOWBOARD TEAM NF'TeP BUP*4eP @ viiLi) i)i(cK bpev/ePv_ SPRING BREAK IN COLORADO! HOOK YOURSELF UP S CALL 8B0.32B.BB77 AND SAVE S50/PEH PERSON ON A I RIP. _ MENTION FREEZEDEAL AND CST * 2009218-20 CAectf ©ut > > ^^.oh JecLApeDfiLr^’Tou^.^o^1 Windows* you ?e fAe fci?eet©?! t.©<? oh to fihI>/ouPPowep.con soffit you? fesf Vi»eo Cut if you <?ot TAe CAppS you <fe+ you? p?opS his album through e-mail. “It took much longer than I thought it would, and was much harder as well,” Gamwell wrote. “When you’re so intimately involved with a project, getting everything just right on the rehearsals, arrangements and mixes takes a long time.” The musicians on “Flij^Side of the Coin” were mostly friends and fellow GTFs that Gamwell hand picked for their musicianship. He said working with friends con tributed to an enjoyable recording environment. To an untrained ear, some of these tunes might strike listeners as elevator music. This analogy isn’t meant as an insult, but rather is based on the fact that jazz takes time to really hear. Sometimes the greatest part of a given tune won’t be heard without patience and a willingness to be — to just be — with the music. Jazz is one of the most technical and complicated forms of music performed today. Generally, this is because it com bines the best of improvisation with the best of technical theory into a cohesive whole. This makes “Flip Side of the Coin” difficult to criticize, because, on one hand, there is really nothing wrong with this disc. It consists of covers, or rein terpretations of other jazz tunes by John Goltrane, Pat Metheny and Andy Nevala. Gamwell also provides three of his own compo sitions, including the album title track and one called “Jessica Rabbit.” He is clearly a talented saxophone player, performing alto, tenor and soprano versions of the instrument on the album. On the other hand, the mood of “Flip Side” is rather somber. It might be perfect as a soundtrack for this wintery time of the year — Courtesy Graduate student Dave Cantwell's first solo album can be found online at www.davecamwell.8k.com. these gray, overcast (but some what light) afternoons. Still, there’s nothing really exciting here for people who don’t already jive with jazz. Anyone who is just starting to listen to the genre might want to check out some less contemporary jazz before moving on to Gamwell’s style. However, considering this is Gamwell’s first album, it’s easier to forgive his music for not being revolutionary. Gamwell plans to work on a cruise ship in Alaska this summer and work on writing and arranging new material in his free time. “I have a list of new stuff that I’d like to record. First though, I will be finishing my doctorate and get ting a job. I literally will not have the time to do another CD until I’m done (with) school or days have 37 hours in them,” he wrote. As far as this reviewer is aware, the album isn’t available in stores. However, it can be found (along with MP3s and an interesting paper on classical violinist Niccolo Paganini) on the musician’s Web site at www.davecamwell.8k.com. Contact the Pulse reporter at aaronshakra@dailyemerald.com. Come Celebrate Brazilian Culture at the 1st Annual &<vt*Uval Live Brazilian Music and Performances A Benefit for Students Helping Street Kids International February 1 7:30-11:00 pm Pre Event Dance Class 7:00 - 7:30 University of Oregon EMU Ballroom Tickets: EMU Ticket office *10 advance, s12 at the door s2 offw/student ID Come in costume or come as you are. the Emerald. We have special university rates. Cali 346-3712 CamwelVs album ‘FlipSide’ demands appreciation of jazz