Oregon — In Performance

Oregon are an Avant Garde Jazz/World music group formed in Eugene, Oregon in 1970 by multi-instrumentalists Ralph Towner and Paul McCandless, bassist Glen Moore, and sitar/tabla player Collin Walcott. Their debut album, Our First Record was recorded later in the year and lay unreleased until 1980 when Vanguard finally picked up and released it. The band were originally named ‘Thyme – Music of Another Present Era’ but changed their name to the shorter/snappier Oregon in 1971. The lineup has changed over the years, however Towner and McCandless have remained mainstays of the band throughout their career.

In Performance, is a live album recorded at New York’s Carnegie Hall, Saint Foy University, Quebec and Outremont Theatre, Montreal in 1979, and originally released by Elektra records in 1980, featuring the band’s original line-up as formed in 1970. This new reissue comes courtesy of BGO Records and whilst it is nicely put together, with a slipcase and a great essay from Charles Waring, the original artwork remains intact.

Firstly, the sound is great, the recording has been remastered in high definition and every note rings out beautifully. There is a wealth of stuff happening on this record and you can hear each instrument with real clarity. Musically the performances are quite diverse, fusing Avant Garde Jazz, traditional instruments and progressive elements they create something that is pretty unique. The 1970s produced a lot of Jazz/Fusion music, but Oregon don’t really sound quite like anyone else, they have their own vibe going on, and that is where this album wins. It would be quite easy to try and sound like Weather Report, but they never fall into that trap. The opening track "Buzzbox" is an 11-minute jam that kicks the album underway and highlights just how in tune with each other these four musicians had become after playing together for so long. "Along the Way" and "Wanderlust" feature some lovely bass from Glen Moore. "Deer Path" takes on a more abstract approach, using Collin Walcott’s sitar to great effect, whilst Waterwheel sticks with the Indian infused sounds by utilising Walcott’s incredible tabla playing to great effect. This followed by a drum solo that once again highlights Walcott’s mastery of the table, this seamlessly transitions into the track Arion, another fine example of the band’s near-telepathic synergy, and one of my personal favourites on the album. "Free Piece" is next and represents another jam piece, there is a sparsity to the track that allows the instruments to say a lot by doing very little. Each note is important in the context of the album and that really comes across on this track. "Icarus" is the album closer, once again featuring some great table playing from Walcott, on what is one of the more upbeat tracks on the album.

Overall, In Performance is a top live recording by an excellent band of musicians at the peak of their musical powers. The performances are sublime, and the melding of different musical elements is seamless and beautifully worked. Oregon are a band I knew little about before today, however I am now intrigued by their sound and will be seeking out the albums released prior to this one. Many thanks to BGO for lovingly revitalising this album and getting it back into the marketplace.