Keeping Company

Description

Bill Laurance and Michael League, longtime friends and collaborators, present their second duo album ‘Keeping Company’, which contrasts with the larger scale of Snarky Puppy. The album showcases an intimate musical partnership, with Laurance focusing on acoustic piano and League on fretless bass and oud, creating a rich, sparse sound that blends Western and Middle Eastern influences. Building on their successful debut, ‘Where You Wish You Were’, they emphasize deeper exploration and personality while prioritizing live recordings to capture organic spontaneity. Laurance’s use of a lightly prepared piano adds texture, while League’s self-taught approach to the oud introduces exotic timbres and expressive nuances. Their partnership thrives on experimentation, with Laurance’s clear, compact melodies complementing League’s unique ornaments. ‘Keeping Company’ serves as a snapshot of their evolving friendship and artistic dialogue, highlighting spontaneity and shared humor in their music.

Tracklisting

Disc 1
1. Katerina – Bill Laurance & Michael League
2. You – Bill Laurance & Michael League
3. Yours – Bill Laurance & Michael League
4. Escher – Bill Laurance & Michael League
5. How Does It Feel – Bill Laurance & Michael League
6. Stonemaker – Bill Laurance & Michael League
7. Africa – Bill Laurance & Michael League
8. Clay – Bill Laurance & Michael League
9. Where You Wanna Go – Bill Laurance & Michael League
10. Trails – Bill Laurance & Michael League
11. Iki Keklik, Bir Kayada – Bill Laurance & Michael League