Philip Weberndoerfer, Tides Review
by Jeff Becker
Guitarist and composer Philip Weberndoerfer’s debut album, Tides, released on August 23, 2024, via Shifting Paradigm Records, marks a solid project for the musician who draws from a well of influences that blend the tradition of jazz with a broader European classical and Gypsy musical sensibility. The album, featuring Weberndoerfer on guitar, alongside bassist Richard Mikel, drummer Peter Traunmueller, and saxophonist Dayna Stephens, represents a mature voice in contemporary jazz, marked by Weberndoerfer’s lyrical compositions and a collective sense of interplay among the musicians.
Tides captures the essence of life’s inevitable cycles—its highs and lows—through richly textured harmonic landscapes and melodies that evoke a soulful sense of contemplation. The compositions weave together chordal complexity and melodic lyricism, creating an intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant balance. The album’s title suggests this ongoing movement, not unlike the ebb and flow of tides—at times gentle and serene, at other times forceful and unrelenting.
The album opens with Bobby Hutcherson’s classic “Little B’s Poem,” immediately signaling Weberndoerfer’s reverence for jazz tradition while establishing his own voice within it. His guitar tone is clean and warm, navigating the tune with precision and grace. The rhythm section of Mikel and Traunmueller locks in seamlessly, creating a fluid undercurrent that allows the music to breathe. This trio format continues to shine in their interpretation of the standard “My Ideal,” where Weberndoerfer’s guitar lines shimmer with a quiet intensity, effortlessly supported by the sensitive interplay between bass and drums.
The original compositions on Tides are where Weberndoerfer’s unique vision indeed emerges. “Low Gravity,” at over nine minutes, is a sprawling space and time exploration featuring Stephens’ soprano saxophone. The piece feels weightless, with each musician contributing to an intricate dance of shifting harmonies and textures. The interplay between Weberndoerfer and Stephens is particularly striking here, as the guitarist’s clear, ringing lines intertwine with Stephens’ delicate yet probing phrasing. The composition’s gradual build and release mirror the album’s overarching themes of tension and resolution, of drifting and being anchored.
“Peace of Constance,” named after the 1183 treaty between the Holy Roman Empire and the Italian city-states, reflects Weberndoerfer’s thoughtful approach to composition. Much like the historical event, which established new political relationships in medieval Italy, this track navigates a complex interplay of musical ideas. It begins quietly, with a haunting, minimalist guitar melody, before expanding into a rich, harmonically dense soundscape. The trio’s subtle shifts in dynamics and tempo evoke the feeling of a slow but deliberate journey, much like the historical evolution the title alludes to.
Stephens returns on tracks like “Salted Sweets” and “Simple Task,” where his saxophone provides a perfect foil to Weberndoerfer’s introspective guitar work. “Simple Task” is a funky, blues-inflected groove, offering bassist Richard Mikel a chance to enter the spotlight. His walking bass lines are playful and propulsive, giving the track a lively energy that contrasts with the more subdued moments on the album.
Throughout Tides, Weberndoerfer demonstrates a deep understanding of how to craft accessible music. His compositions are sophisticated without being overly cerebral, and his guitar playing is expressive without being flashy. On tracks like “One of These Days,” the closing piece, Weberndoerfer’s understated style comes to the fore. He lets the music unfold with patience and subtlety, leaving ample room for Mikel and Traunmueller to shape the contours of the sound.
The addition of Dayna Stephens’ saxophone on several tracks gives the project a new sound. Stephens’ solos are thoughtful and measured, complementing Weberndoerfer’s guitar without overpowering it. Their musical dialogue, particularly on “Low Gravity” and “Suspense and Certainty,” is one of the album’s highlights, showcasing a shared sense of curiosity and exploration.
Tides is an album that invites the listener to engage deeply with its intricate layers of sound and meaning. It is a reflection of Weberndoerfer’s journey as a musician and as a person who has navigated life’s own turbulent tides. From his early years in Bavaria, where a life-changing accident led him to the guitar, to his decision to leave a stable teaching career in Germany to pursue his dreams in New York City, Weberndoerfer’s story is one of resilience and determination. His music, too, reflects this, with its blend of melancholy, lightheartedness, and fervor.
In Tides, Weberndoerfer has crafted an album that reflects his ability to channel life’s uncertainties into grounded and free-flowing sounds, much like the tides themselves. For those seeking a contemporary jazz record that offers technical mastery with emotional depth and a sense of narrative, Tides is a compelling and rewarding listen.
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