Ralph TownerECM Touchstones: Batik

I really love this CD! I had waited patiently for some 30 years or so to buy it on CD.I am thrilled too. From 1977 on I discovered the music recorded on the ECM label of Manfred Eicher.And, most of my favorite ECM music to this day was recorded from 1971 through about 1984,by primarily these artists: Chick Corea /Piano Improvisations, Vol. 1 and Piano Improvisations, Vol. 2; Keith Jarrett, Ralph Towner / Diary,John Abercrombie, Terje Rypdal / Rypdal, Vitous, DeJohnette, Azimuth / Azimuth : Touchstone, Eberhard Weber, and Chick Corea's Return To Forever / Light as a Feather.My Favorite D.J. of all time - the Famous John Diliberto of WXPN, the Univ. of PA.'s college radio station, introduced me to most of my favorite music of that time period. His famous radio program was named "Diaspar".It's funny: I still have a bunch of cassette tape recordings that I made back in 1978 through 1980. I will transferthem to CD as soon as possible.To me Ralph Towner's music is BEAUTIFUL and Peaceful and "quiet".Check out Ralph and the other ECM artists on YouTube today!DARRYL DEANAustin, Texas

Finally available at an affordable price. This is one of Ralph Towner's classic collaborations. If you love "Solstice", this is required listening. If you haven't enjoyed "Solstice", this is in the same league. I find this CD to have the same qualities as "Solstice" but less of the drone wall of sound.I mainly bought it to have the version of "Waterwheel" that is included. I found, though, that the "Green Room" piece is now my favorite.Yup, the musicians, Eddie Gomez and Jack DeJohnette, were outstanding.

This was a one-time combination, recorded in January 1978 in Oslo and released in September. Ralph Towner, guitarist and composer, is joined by the magnificent drummer Jack DeJohnette and double-bassist Eddie Gomez for five of his compositions.The album is worth hearing for the title track alone, a 16-minute tour de force, with DeJohnette driving the trio to jaw-dropping heights. The drummer's abilities are on full display here. Gomez does some excellent bowing, sounding like a cello, and Towner is pushed to his most intense and inspired playing.The opening nine-minute "Waterwheel" was of course originally recorded by Oregon, and their version was released in April 1978 on the "Out of the Woods" album. This is another great version giving Towner's guitar a more central role. And the closing "Green Room" (6:17) is lovely and lyrical, with Towner on both piano and guitar.The two remaining pieces I find less compelling -- "Shades of Sutton Hoo" (4:34) and "Trellis" (8:19). Not bad, but on the lugubrious side.I am only catching up with this 2008 ECM Touchstones reissue now, and it is a most worthy addition to Towner's recordings with Oregon and Solstice.

A little dull

This is one of the coolest ECM albums I have ever heard. I read somewhere that this was Towner's poorest selling album to date when released, but why that is is entirely beyond me. It's probably my FAVORITE one from his entire back catalog. I am definitely biased because I love Jack DeJohnette, so if you like his drumming on the first Gateway album and the Rypdal, Vitous, DeJohnette album you should enjoy this too.

This is an excellent Towner album at a very reasonable price. I love his playing.

I was pleased.

Like too many ECM recordings, there is a fair amount of sound showing what the artists can do with their instruments, but little of what I would call music. I listened to this CD twice and found little if any of what I would call music. I bought this because a pairing of Towner with Gary Burton was pleasing, but this outing is going into the sell box this morning.