recording session August 22, 2008. Photo by Jordan Hemingway
Terrence McManus & Gerry Hemingway
recording session August 22, 2008. Photo by Jordan Hemingway
Recorded in July of 2008 this collection of improvised pieces is culled from three hours of recorded material. Guitarist Terrence McManus and percussionist Gerry began working together in 2007 when they met via a trio project of Kermit Driscoll. It was clear to both of them that there was a rich musical chemistry and since that time they have both initiated a variety of projects that involved each other. They began this duo format when a scheduled trio concert with Kermit unexpectedly turned into a duo when Kermit was unable to make it to the performance. “Terry understands the possibilities I seek as an improviser and a composer. He has an exceptional ear and a way of musical thinking that allows the music to unfold in an unhurried and richly detailed way. I am convinced he represents a new voice on the instrument”…..gh. Terry will also be featured on Gerry Hemingway’s upcoming GH Quintet CD "Riptide" along with Ellery Eskelin, Oscar Noriega & Kermit Driscoll to be released in the summer of 2011 on Clean Feed Records. It should also be noted that Terrence builds his own guitars including a nylon string stereo electric guitar which is featured along with several other of his instruments.
Web page about the duo: http://terrence-mcmanus.com/gerry_terry/
Terrence McManus Home Page:http://terrence-mcmanus.com/
Beneath the surface of
Terrence McManus
electric guitar and nylon string stereo guitar
Gerry Hemingway
drums, percussion, voice
1. the night ocean 11:05
2. the constants 5:11
3. the glass lake 6:47
4. the rush to get there 6:06
5. the dry land 8:47
6. the disturbance 11:24
7. the amber field 10:44
Total Time: 60:08
All Works by Terrence McManus & Gerry Hemingway © 2010
Recorded August 22, 2008 in Plainsboro, NJ
Recorded, Post Production and Mastering by– Gerry Hemingway
Produced by – Terrence McManus & Gerry Hemingway
Electric Guitar and Nylon String Guitar built by Terrence McManus
© 2010 Auricle Records
reviews/comments:
The Wire Feb 2011
"Beneath the surface of" with guitarist McManus (a title that maybe alludes to the Hemingway/Freud/iceberg model of the mind) bespeaks a rich, unconscious empathy, two players running through a shared language that takes in everything from free and Noise to the cheery alt rock of "The Rush To Get There". Brian Morton
a comment from a YouTube visitor on Gerry Hemingway/Terrence McManus Duo, Piece 2:
"this sounds like my 2 and 4 year old banging pots and pans, solely to make noise. It is disgusting when "artists" hide behind being avant garde simply because they have no discernible talent. This is not music. These are not musicians. This is garbage."
from the Squidco website
On this release Hemingway plays Terrence McManus on electric guitar and nylon string stereo guitar. NY Metropolitan area based, McManus is part of the Gerry Hemingway Quintet, along with the Kermit Driscoll Group and the Herb Robertson Ensemble. He's performed with a huge list of heavyweights including John Zorn, Bill Frisell, Tim Berne, Marty Ehrlich, Mark Helias, &c.
For this release Hemingway and McManus recorded 7 improvisations in the studio, each an extended improvisation on rhythm, melody, harmony, and sonic exposition. There's a lightness to the touch in the most complex interactions, and the two work together as a single unit, presenting compelling and creative music on the instant, as only two masters can. Phil Zampino
From Tom Hull's - On the Web
"...McManus is from Brooklyn, seems to have 4-6 records since 2006 -- website doesn't have dates on anything; AMG lists one record not on website -- some solo, some in small groups he may or may not lead. Builds his own guitars, including the "nylon string stereo guitar" second-credited here. Has a distinctive ring to his electric, and holds your interest all by himself. Hemingway works around him, much as he did with Eskelin. A- " Tom Hull
From AllAboutJazz - Mark Corroto
Every player's perfect partner, Gerry Hemingway (see above), spotlights guitarist Terrence McManus, one the members of his latest quintet. Below The Surface Of consists of one hour of music over seven tracks. McManus is one of New York's latest guitar heroes, working in groups led by Herb Robertson, Kermit Driscoll, Ellery Eskelin and Tim Berne. He is adept at multiple styles, intensities and volumes.
This one day session fashions multiple perspectives and techniques. The title piece acts as a tsunami of sound, Hemingway choosing to muscle his way into the song, as McManus tears chunk after chunk of notes, employing electronics to present part of his guitar heard backwards. That aggression is balanced by the haunting "The Glass Lake," where cymbals are the accompaniment to harp-like plucked notes. The purpose here seems to be a showcase for the differing faucets of McManus' sound. He can pull some noisy abrasive scraping sounds heard on "The Dry Land," and hover above Hemingway's solid pulse on "the Night ocean" with an exquisite etherealness of attack and some simple and graceful notes. Mark Corroto