Heard Instinct CD
Heard Instinct CD by Kenny Wessel and Bruce Arnold
Below you will find individual tracks from Kenny Wessel and Bruce Arnold. There are also links to purchase each track on Itunes. We will be releasing one track each week starting the first week of November 2020. Please stop back each week to hear a new track. There are also notes on who is soloing where on these tracks here.
“Three and Fro” by Bruce Arnold
Three and Fro is a pseudo 12 tone composition by Bruce Arnold. The melody is two voice counterpoint which is linearly build with the 013 pitch class set. The composition starts with a austere statement of the two guitars playing the melody and counterpoint followed by improvisations. To get a better idea of who is soloing where you can refer to our Heard Instinct CD Notes Page.
“Three and Fro”
You can purchase “Three and Fro” Audio by Kenny Wessel and Bruce Arnold on the Apple Itunes website or any other online store that sells CDs.
Heard Instinct CD Notes for “Pete’s Mistake” by Kenny Wessel
The whimsical “Pete’s Mistake” penned by guitarist Kenny Wessel shows the strong sense of comradery he has with fellow guitarist Bruce Arnold. The song starts with the duo engrossed in the interplay which is the hallmark of the CD. Kenny Wessel has infused his composition wit a kind of swinging tin pan alley feel that both guitarists dig into with gusto. It is obvious that the two guitarists have many skills under their belts from jazz to classical, with sections of this track exhibiting at times a bluesy feel, or a counterpoint reminiscent of a gentle tap-dance. The duo spontaneously weaves musical ideas, and “Pete’s Mistake” practically grins and winks till the end of the track.
“Pete’s Mistake”
You can purchase “Pete’s Mistake” on the Apple Itunes website or at any online outlet that sells CDs such as amazon.com
Heard Instinct CD Notes for title track “Heard Instinct” by Bruce Arnold
“Heard Instinct” by Bruce Arnold
Guitarist Bruce Arnold’s “Heard Instinct” is a showcase for his formidable melodic compositional chops. It also recalls the wide open spaces of his native South Dakota. The head is a delicate reminiscence segueing into a solo admirably played with petal soft sensitivity by Kenny Wessel. Bruce Arnold takes the solo into flashier territory before bringing it back to its tender conclusion. “Heard Instinct” is a song with a simple melody, and a haunting emotional core.
“Heard Instinct”
You can purchase “Heard Instinct” on the Apple Itunes website or at any online outlet that sells CDs such as amazon.com
Heard Instinct CD Notes for the Track “Unstrung” by Kenny Wessel
“Unstrung” by Kenny Wessel
Kenny Wessel’s “Unstrung” has a forward motion reminiscent of some of Wayne Shorter’s compositions. It starts as an upbeat, jaunty stroll, with the composer playing the head. Then Kenny Wessel passes the baton to Bruce Arnold for the first solo who then shifts again into a percolating comping backup, while Kenny Wessel flies off into a devil-may-care solo. Unstrung’s 5/4 time sits nicely in the body but it’s in the ending that some truly impressive interaction happens; notice where they both intuitively slow down the tempo; one can picture the two of them looking at each other and smiling. The tune winds down with a graceful diminuendo and a chordal flourish.
“Unstrung”
You can purchase “Unstrung” on the Apple Itunes website or at any online outlet that sells CDs such as amazon.com
Heard Instinct CD Notes for “Once” by Bruce Arnold
“Once” is another highly melodic Bruce Arnold composition that feels like a classic that has been around forever. The guitarists switch between melody and counterpoint effortlessly with Kenny soloing first and then Bruce. There’s a magical sense of story here, which we will have to imagine for ourselves. A regret? A moment that will never come again? If it were played full tilt by the Allman Brothers it could be a rock ballad, but this is the definitive “soft” rendition. Like a fading memory the tag ending goes into a slower pace to close out the reverie.
“Once”
You can purchase “Once” on the Apple Itunes website or at any online outlet that sells CDs such as amazon.com
Heard Instinct CD Notes for “Sunset” by Kenny Wessel
“Sunset” is a dreamy affair written by Kenny Wessel, who states his melody freely at the outset. We get the feeling of the calmness of evening when things are slowing down and Kenny uses deep tones to express this. When Bruce enters the solo space, their collaborative transition sounds lush and Bruce plays on to exert a delicate sense of space. He shifts the senses between different feelings with fast arpeggios leading into a fermata or slight pause. Very evocative. Kenny then plays the melody again, cueing his partner as he is moving on. They solo again together in a sort of Collage of Sounds that is quite different from the way other material is handled. The simplicity of the Melody and the ending is simply mesmerizing!
“Sunset”
You can purchase “Sunset” on the Apple Itunes website or at any online outlet that sells CDs such as amazon.com
Heard Instinct CD Notes for “Sunset” by Kenny Wessel
“Sunset” is an evocative, dreamy meditation written by Kenny Wessel, who states his melody freely at the outset. The track recalls the calmness of evening when things are slowing down, but as it progresses, one can also feel a tidal pulse, as of watching the fading of day over a calm beach. The waves of music lap one over the other, and ripples of notes move forward only to be pulled back into the current. Both Bruce Arnold and Kenny Wessel here demonstrate a stunning interactivity and sense of space that is rare between two guitar virtuosos. They solo individually, and again together in a tone poem that washes us in calm.
“Sunset”
You can purchase “Sunset” on the Apple Itunes website or at any online outlet that sells CDs such as amazon.com
Heard Instinct CD Notes for “Somewhat Likely” by Kenny Wessel
Kenny Wessel’s perky tune “Somewhat Likely” follows the tradition of writing new melodic material over the chord progression of a well-known Standard; in this case “Like Someone In Love.” But while it references that Tin Pan Alley classic, it also has its own happy bebop swagger.. With its upbeat blend of sophistication and swing think a leisurely sidewalk café rendezvous ,sunny days in Central Park, and a golden sense of well-being and optimism.
“Somewhat Likely”
You can purchase “Somewhat Likely” on the Apple Itunes website or at any online outlet that sells CDs such as amazon.com
Heard Instinct CD Notes for “Dakota Gumbo” By Bruce Arnold
The blues by guitarist Bruce Arnold called “Dakota Gumbo” alludes to Bruce’s roots in South Dakota, a place he would be the first to wryly tell you does NOT have a reputation for the blues! That low key sense of fun is apparent in this slinky piece, with its witty dissonances and quirky melody. Kenny Wessel falls right into the mood and contributes some nimble – and humorous— soloing. Bruce follows up with a solo full of unexpected melodic twists and harmonic turns, and the two sign off with a totally lighthearted duet sure to bring a smile. This is a Happy Blues!
“Dakota Gumbo”
You can purchase “Dakota Gumbo” on the Apple Itunes website or at any online outlet that sells CDs such as amazon.com
To learn more about Kenny Wessel Bruce Arnold Duo please visit our About Us page