![]() His instantly recognizable, individual voice has influenced not only generations of guitar players, but has in turn completely changed the language of music. However, more importantly than naming names and the stories behind his impressive resume, “Bill Frisell: Beautiful Dreamer” also acknowledges Bill as a true sound innovator. So much for my simplified recount of Bill Frisell’s life. He has performed a wide variety of these musics in major concert halls and festivals all over the world, and has created progressive and often controversial recordings by finding ways that all of these genres can coexist. ![]() He has also topped the jazz charts, and has been a perennial winner of Critics’ and Readers’ Polls in major jazz magazines.īill has not only expanded the world of jazz, but has also become a part of the musical worlds of classical, country, avant-garde, pop, bluegrass, folk, blues, Americana, West African, and rock. To date Bill has recorded forty one albums as a leader, and garnered a Grammy Award and several Grammy nominations in the process. Critical reviews, pictures, and Bill’s own words, are also woven into a truly unique tale of our times. The author combines his own well researched narrative with interviews drawn from a large number of Frisell’s friends, acquaintances, and peers. The book is not only a timeline of Bill’s interesting life history, but also reveals how he met the many challenges of both struggle and success, and how this musician has continually challenged and re-invented himself along the way. This wonderful new biography by Philip Watson brings to light how Bill became one of the most creative musicians of our time, describes his tremendous influence on music and musicians, and shows why he cannot be pigeon-holed into any one category. ![]() What makes him even more interesting is that he has done so in ways that make soundbites, genres, categories, and awards fail to succinctly encapsulate his musical career. There are lessons to be learned within the pages of this book, along with a good dose of inspiration that can help us all on our artistic journeys.īill Frisell is perhaps far from being a household name in some circles, and yet he has achieved so much in the world of music. Let me just say that I think we all share an interest in the creative arts, and should not define ourselves by the instrument or the kind of music we play. There are several reasons why I want to bring this work to the attention of a readership that may not be at first interested in the biography of a guitarist. While there are only a few book reviews on this blog, none are as special to me as this one. “Bill Frisell: Beautiful Dreamer” is the perfect title for this book.
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