Bill Frisell has been one of my biggest inspirations for years. He has definitely influenced my personal style more than any other player. Frisell continues to push the musical envelope by transcending genres and melding his experiences together into one of the most unique, original guitar styles since Jimi Hendrix, Wes Montgomery, and Jim Hall.
His own guitar style is so different, so abstract that it requires your full attention in order to fully understand it. At a passing listen, one may think he is a little "out there" for their tastes, but a closer examination will reveal that he has one of the most beautiful approaches to the gutiar in history of the instrument.
Bill's guitar playing is comprised of swelled notes, neck bends, open-string cascades, unusual chord voicings, crying upper notes, and rhythm loops that can distort and change in pitch. In the case of Frisell's own compositions, less is definitely more. His use of space is just one of his many trademarks.
Frisell has made so many good recordings that I couldn't list them all, but here are what I think are some essential recordings:
Have A Little Faith - 1993 Nonesuch/Elektra Musician
Where In The World? - 1991 Nonesuch/Elektra Musician
This Land - 1994 Nonesuch/Elektra Musician
Lookout For Hope - 1988 ECM Records
Good Dog, Happy Man - 1999 Nonesuch
Gone, Just Like A Train - 1998 Nonesuch
Go West: Music For The Films Of Buster Keaton - 1995 Nonesuch
Paul Motian - I Have The Room Above Her - 2005 ECM Records
Paul Motian - On Broadway, Vol. 1 - 1989 Winter & Winter
Paul Motian - On Broadway, Vol. 2 - 1993 Winter & Winter
Kenny Wheeler - Angel Song - 1997 ECM Records
Jan Garbarek - Paths, Prints - 1982 ECM Records
Ginger Baker Trio - Going Back Home - 1994 Atlantic Records
Marc Johnson's Bass Desires - 1985 ECM Records
Marc Johnson's Bass Desires - Second Sight - 1987 ECM Records
