The first reviews:
ENGLISH:
"The evolving story of this group remains pretty irresistable." (John Fordham, The Guardian, UK - 4 stars (of 5) - read the entire review)
"These lullabies are not for putting the listener to sleep, but to quiet the listener enough to fully hear them. .. One feels invited to an intimate musical séance in which the music is revealed in utter nakedness .. it is extremely difficult to play this well this slowly this quietly. ... I can't imagine ever getting to the bottom of The Well's noble music, so exquisitely recorded. Toss down your bucket and drink." (Richard Lehnert, Stereophile, US - 5 stars (of 5) for both sound and music - read the entire review here (pdf) or here (link))
"it is a gorgeous sound they make, the interaction organic, the balancing of the notes and the spaces in between still kept crucially airy, the drive so quietly insistent. and the managing of mood expertly achieved. ... Throughout one is struck not only by how Gustavsen seems to have an inexhaustible supply of strong, fresh melodies, but just how distinctive his touch has become. .. It’s early days yet, but this feels like it may become my favourite album in a treasured Gustavsen collection which has kept me excited and comforted and enthralled for a good many years now, and will continue to do so." (Peter Bacon, The Jazz Breakfast - read the entire review)
"The overall ambiance of The Well is one of meticulous beauty, where interpretive freedom abounds, but not in an unfettered, stream-of-consciousness fashion .. The entire group is so careful in its decision-making that, in lesser hands, it could render an album like The Well safe and lackluster. Instead, with a quartet that appreciates the value of every note, communicates on an increasingly profound level and understands the tremendous power of quietude and decay, The Well may not be exciting, but it is both boldly beautiful and dramatic, without ever resorting to obvious tactics." (John Kelman, All About Jazz - read the entire review)
"On The Well, Gustavsen has taken his lyric approach to jazz and pushed it into more open and abstract terrain, which is more haunting and mysterious than anything on his previous offerings, yet refrains from ponderousness due to its remarkable restraint and symmetry." (Thoms Jurek, AllMusic - read the entire review)
"gorgeously sculpted set of music" (Kenny Mathieson, The Scotsman)
"The Well is a beautifully haunting album and if you take the time it’s certain to move you." (Imran Shahid, Alternative Media Group of Australia - read the entire review)
"The Well synthesises composer Gustavsen's high seriousness and groovy, gospel-tinged vamps. .. stately lullaby-themes given rhythmic momentum by Vespestad's drum'n'bassy whispers" (Phil Johnson, The Independent)
"gorgeous" (Christopher Porter, Washington Post Express)
"haunting album" (LondonJazz - read the entire review)
"Compositional twists and turns, sonic side roads that while inventive never take one too far off the path and to the land of the musical self indulgent. .. Perhaps the finest 'east meets west' musical offering from ECM in over a decade" (CriticalJazz - read the entire review)
"elegant, with a delicate touch and classical sensibility. .. abstract, atompshperic and coolly meditative". (Ron Simpson, The Jazz Rag, UK)
"a majestic collection of instrumental pieces. .. The pianist has found himself a formidable partner in Brunborg. The two really are a musical marriage that works wonders, and to hear Brunborg soar to the heavens while Gustavsen lays down gentle strains on the ivories really is ear candy for the senses." (Pete Pardo, Sea of Tranquility - read the entire review)
"dark, sepulchral lullabies on a bed of gospel-tinged funk, played without flaw" (Cormac Larkin, Irish Times)
"looseness and grounded interplay ... concise but penetrating solos, especially on the album’s centerpiece, 'Circling,' a blues-shaded track with a gospel heritage where Gustavsen’s Evans-like playing has a satisfying rightness. Drummer Jarle Vespestad maintains some nicely patterned grooves .. and bassist Mats Eilertsen has a deep, resonant tone that underscores the richness of the leader’s music." (Nick Bewsey, Icon)
"While the music is smooth, it is never smooth jazz. There is a great deal of creativity on display here, and it is a real treat to listen to a recording such as this, one which works on a number of levels. .. while the music is subdued on the surface, the solos from both players are wonderfully complex. The crisp tone of eiTord’s piano throughout the album is another striking element. It adds a beautiful dimension, as does he exquisite playing. The Well is a great album." (Greg Barbrick, Blinded By Sound - read the entire review)
"The quartet functions like a fantastical bio-mechanical thing, ... odd, unsettling in its strange sexuality, scary in an unnamed, primeval way, perfectly balanced and finely tuned, elegant and evolving, slowly, coldly, right in front of our eyes." (ZaRecords Now Playing - read the entire review)
"Just about everywhere you turn on this disc, there is something special: the perfect form of 'On Every Corner;' the title track’s improvisation and attention-grabbing bass; and at various points, the sound of musical breath being held. .. This is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys jazz that feels ambient without drifting into boredom; melodic without spoiling the mood; and intelligent, but still glistening with emotion." (Derek Walker, The Phantom Tollbooth - 5 stars - read the entire review)
".. quite possibly his most assured and satisfying recording to date." (John Adcock, Jazz Journal, UK)
Live review - Queen Elizabeth Hall March 2012:
"masterpiece of the understated" (John Fordham, The Guardian - read the entire review)
"The melodies ... were rich and their slow-motion groove was deep. It was as if the band had stumbled upon some very strong and mildly intoxicating tranquillisers. If so, I wish they’d tell us where." (Jack Massarik, London Evening Standard)
Live review - Edinburgh March 2012:
".. a set that was quietly but profoundly gripping. It took two encores to persuade the audience to leave and when they did so, there's every chance that, like your reviewer, they had Gustavsen's final melody – or any one of its dozen or so predecessors – playing on the internal jukebox" (Rob Adams, The Herald, reviewing a concert at the Queens Hall in Edinburgh March 2012 - read the entire review)
Live review - Gateshead March 2012:
"Tord Gustavsen has refined his zen-like art to near perfection. ... A set comprising old material as well as pieces from new album The Well (ECM) underlined how saxophonist Tore Brunborg is increasingly stepping out of Garbarek's long shadow and playing with great authority. Every note from bassist Mats Eilersen, and every gesture from drummer Jarle Vespestad, rang with bell-like clarity, hanging frozen in mid air before decaying into silence. Gustavsen, frequently hunched in deep concentration over his keyboard, was locked in deep communion with his music. Every bit as intense as anything heard all weekend, this set marked a brilliant end to the festival." (Fred Grand - Jazz Journal, reviewing the concert at Gateshead International Jazz Festival March 2012 - read the entire review)
Additional live reviews from the UK release tour March 2012:
Jazz Journal: http://www.jazzjournal.co.uk/jazz-latest-news/397/review-tord-gustavsen-london
The Jazz Breakfast: http://thejazzbreakfast.com/2012/03/24/concert-review-tord-gustavsen-quartet/
The Scotsman: http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/scotland/gig-review-tord-gustavsen-edinburgh-queen-s-hall-1-2196401
GERMAN:
"Wie ein atmender Organismus wirkt das Ganze, selten hat Musik eine solche physische Präsenz" (Tilman Urbach, Fono Forum)
"atmosphärische Meitserstück" (Handelszeitung)
"die Kraft der Einfachheit" (Stereo - Germany - CD des Monats)
"ein sehr hörenswertes Manifest der Stille und Innerlichkeit .. elegisch schwebenden Melodielinien" (Michael Stürm, Jazzpodium)
"wunderbar austariert, keine Note klingt fehl am Platz" (Stephanie Knauer, Neue Musikzeitung)
"Tore Brunborg klingt hier ganz und gar in seinem element, ersinnt zarte Melodien und gibt nie der Verlockung nach, den grossen Raum, den ihm Mats Eilertsen (b) und Jarl Vespestad (dr) als wunderbar einfühlsames Rhythmusgespann bereitstellen, zu ausgiebig zu füllen. ... Tord gustavsen hat mit seinem neuen Quartett eine Besetzung gefunden, in der die Stärken aller Beteiligten zum Tragen kommen und sich aufs Beste ergänzen." (Jazzthetik)
"Themen entstehen aus kleinen, chromatischen Motiven, bekommen Zeit zu wachsen, wirken assoziativ und folgen doch einem klaren Plan des musikalischen Erzählens. Mats Eilertsens geschmeidig fundamentierter Kontrabass und Jarle Vespestadts dynamisch fein differenziertes Schlagzeug sorgen für einen komplementär die Linien des Klaviers umgreifenden Klangraum, sodass 'The Well' eine der ausgewogensten Aufnahmen dieses Jazzwinters darstellt." (Ralf Dombrowski, Jazzthing)
"Es ist ein Album wie aus einem Guss. Die sparsam hingetupften Töne von Gustavsens Klavier werden dezent dekoriert von Mats Eilertsens Kontrabass sowie Jarle Vespestads Samtpfötchen-Schlagzeug. Und immer wieder hat Tore Brunborg einen grossen auftritt. Der Sound der Stille trifft auf melodischen Kammerjazz -- bravo!" (Mathias Inhoffen - Audio - Germany - Jazz-CD des Monats)
"Das ist von exquisiter Qualität, zu deren Erzeugung mehr auf Nuancen denn auf Virtuosität gesetzt wird. Das hat jenseits der Moden seinen Platz gefunden und festigt ihn mit jeder neuen Einspielung, denn auch diese ist schön ohne Wenn und Aber." (Ulrich Steinmetzger, Leipziger Volkszeitung)
"Ein Jazzlongplayer durch und durch, der durch Kreativität und Spielfreude begeistert. .. musikalische Reinheit, sparsame Instrumentierung und ausgefeilte Arrangements .. Ein akustischer Leckerbissen" (Lars Heil, meinz.eins.de - read the entire review)
".. zehn perfekt abgestimmte Jazz-Kammerstücke, die jedem Ton behutsam Luft lassen. .. ein erstklassiges Album. .. Tord Gustavsen beherrscht sie, auch im Quartett: die Kraft der leisen Töne. (Aeneas Rooch, WAZ / Der Westen - read the entire review)
"'The Well' entfaltet spirituellen Charakter: schön und schlicht, sinnlich und tief. Eine musikalische Reise nach innen. Eine eigene Welt." (Hörzu)
NORWEGIAN:
"Stille alvor, bevegende inderlighet." (Terje Mosnes, Dagbladet - terningkast 6 - les hele anmeldelsen i pdf eller hos Dagbladet)
"vakker ro og dyp melodisk innsikt." (Ulf E. Rosenberg, Stavanger Aftenblad - terningkast 6)
"et uhyre vart og tenksomt samspill ... som en bønnestund uavhengig av enhver religion eller forkynnelse" (Erling Wicklund - NRK P2 Kulturnytt - les anmeldelsen eller hør anmeldelsen som radioinnslag med musikkeksempler)
"... finner gull i et samspill av telepatiske dimensjoner, som gjør abstrakte vuggesanger til klassiske perler i jazzlitteraturen." (Svein Magnus Furu, Morgenbladet)
"Det er variasjonen og den gode stemningen musikerne seg imellom som gjør The Well til kanskje den mest komplette Tord Gustavsen-utgivelsen til nå. I kvartettformat låter bandet rett og slett og nydelig, samtidig som de vet å gi jazzfolket nok av bein å gnage på også." (Frode Hermanrud, Oppland Arbeiderblad - terningkast 6)
"Farlig fint. Tord Gustavsen Quartet graver dypt og lager forfriskende, mørk jazz." (Per A. Risnes jr. - Dagens Næringsliv)
"Musikk med følsom gjennomslagskraft. .. en lavmælt, tilsynelatende enkelhet som allikevel rommer et vidt følelsesregister. Det er noe vakkert, forløsende og inderlig i hans klangverden som aldri slutter å fascinere. En slags religiøs undertone som aldri virker påtrengende, men er der som en mild rettesnor sammen med en alltid nærværende melodiøs grunnmur." (Svein Andersen, Aftenposten - terningkast 5 - les hele anmeldelsen)
"Musikkens lyriske kraft. Trio eller kvartett, Tord Gustavsen held lydaren fast som ingen annen. Ei oppleving av dei sjeldne." (Roald Helgheim, Dagsavisen - les hele anmeldelsen)
"Med et varsomt og stilsikkert anslag trekker Tord Gustavsen oss inn i et musikalsk landskap som gjenlyder av norske folketoner, fine jazzhogg, vare mollstemninger og vakre toneganger. Gustavsen er en spennende komponist, og her er variasjonen imponerende, uten at det noen gang synes tvungent. Musikk å flyte gjennom vinteren på." (Rune Westengen, Romerikes Blad - terningkast 5)
"musikken ... kan lede oss mot stillheten i oss selv og bringe oss helt ned på kne. The Well inviterer til fellesskap – «Communion» – og stor trøst." (Arne Guttormsen, Vårt Land)
"Enkelte jazzmusikere finner sin egen formel, en egen musikalsk innfallsvinkel som de kan bruke igjen og igjen uten at noen går lei, kanskje fordi formelen åpner dører til stadig nye aspekter av samme landskap. Pianisten og komponisten Tord Gustavsen er en slik musiker. ... Han spiller med en melodiøsitet som er sjelden i jazzsammenheng. .. gjenkjennelig, men likevel ulik det meste." (Trygve Lundamo, Adresseavisen - terningkast 5 - les hele anmeldelsen)
"lavmælt ro og meditativ styrke .. sterk fysisk tilstedeværelse" (Kjell Moe - Nordlys - ukas jazzanbefaling)
"Nok en gang er det en sjelerenselse å bli med på en musikalsk ekskursjon sammen med Tord Gustavsen og hans utvalgte. Her er det bare å lene seg tilbake og la musikken ta bolig – man kan faktisk bli et bedre menneske av det. Jeg er altså ikke av typen som går til nattverd verken i tide eller utide, men å bli med på “Communion” sammen med Tord Gustavsen Quartet trenger man ikke være religiøs for å være." (Tor Hammerø, Jazz i Norge - les hele anmeldelsen)
".. en velutviklet melodisk sans og et vârt spill som berører ... som en livsreise gjennom lys og mørke, der melankolien dominerer men håpet anes. «The Well» går til folketonekilden, men bringer den til nåtid med Brunborg og Gustavsens gnistrende samspill. Og melankolske «Suite» med Mats Eilertsens følsomme bass er betagende. Trommeslager Jarle Vespestad setter også sitt merke på «Playing». Tord Gustavsen Quartet hensetter deg i en egen tilstand med sine meditative melodier. Det er mykt, melankolsk, vakkert - og givende" (Ann Kristin Ødegård - Bergensavisen - terningkast 5)
"Gustavsens rikt varierade anslag skapar omväxling och spänning, och samspelet med Tore Brunborgs melodiska tenorsax är svindlande vackert. .. ett tätare och mer lyhört och inkännande samspel får man leta efter." (Sten Wistrand, Kulturdelen - les hele recensionen)
Live:
"Hypnotiserte Dokkhuset. En fullpakket sal fikk fredag oppleve at Tord Gustavsen når stadig nye høyder som komponist og konsertpianist. .. Det er et eller annet med Tord Gustavsens komposisjoner, og med pianospillet hans, som gjør at han får en appell utenom det vanlige. Han skaper sterke, særpregede melodier og framfører dem med en lavmælt intensitet som inviterer publikum inn i musikken." (Anmeldelse av konsert på Dokkhuset i Trondheim 2. mars 2012 - Trygve Lundamo - Adresseavisen/adressa.no - les hele konsertanmeldelsen)
FRENCH:
CHOC - best record of the month February 2012 in Jazz Magazine. "Les morceaux ne sont guère rapides, mais dans ceux que la rythmique met en valeur, Tord Gustavsen esquisse des pas de danse, improvise sur des modes, l’aspect méditatif de sa musique s’en voyant renforcé. Le silence, la retenue trouvent refuge dans ses phrases courtes et ramassées. Ses notes peu nombreuses pèsent leur poids de tendresse." (Pierre de Chocqueuse, Jazz Magazine)
"Un disque effectivement tendre et chaleureux qui assurément fait du bien même si la musique est souvent mélancolique" (Pianobleu - read the entire review)
"une invitation à la méditation" (Tribune de Genève)
"Zen et onirique, le piano de Tord Gustavsen touche au sublime..." (Qobuz - read the entire review)
Live review february 2012: Concert review / Sunside Paris - fevrier 2012
ITALIAN:
ROMANIAN: