Jazz cello is a rare bird, and although there are some extraordinary performers on the instrument, they are largely unknown,except to a small assortment of devotees. The same, of course, can be said for David Eyges as well (although he has been recording at least since the late '70s), but those who are hearing this musical firebrand for the first time may be surprised at the accessibility of his performances. Each track is an improvised solo, and while this is by no mean the first solo jazz cello album to be recorded (Matt Turner and Tristan Honsinger are two outstanding cellists who have recorded solo, each to good effect), it stands as one of the best. One might lament the absurdly short recording time (approximately 37 minutes) for a CD, although the exquisite sound quality is compensation of sorts. What makes Eyges so appealing is his simplicity: He never crams in too much, and he values melodic fluidity, if not actual melody itself. Too, he comes armed with an impressive arsenal of advanced techniques, from what Bill Milkowski recognizes in his liners as col legno (using the wood portion of the bow to slap the strings) to sol ponticello (bowing on the bridge). These add immeasurably to the performance, though ultimately it is Eyges' gorgeous tone that is likely to be best remembered. There is, too, what Milkowski recognizes as a blues element that permeates many of the tracks. Eyges continues to take the cello to new heights, and this joyous statement is a powerful example of the capabilities of the instrument. ~ Steven Loewy, Rovi

1		Wire
2		Wood
3		Letter from Mary
4		In-Ter-Sec-Tion
5		An After Hours Lament
6		Blue-Forms
7		Circlin'
8		Elm
9		Flutter
10		Feather
11		Oak
12		If Walls Were Doors