Review: Bill Frisell’s evocative, fruitful visit to ‘Big Sur’

Is there an artist as well-suited to record an album inspired by Big Sur as Bill Frisell? Having spent much of his long career working a fertile seam in the jazz world that shares ground with Americana and folk, Frisell and his often twang-dusted tone seems tailor-made for sweeping vistas and pastoral wonders.

Stemming from a 2012 commission by the Monterey Jazz Festival, “Big Sur� is the result of Frisell holing himself up in a cabin at the 860-acre Glen Deven Ranch and writing music for wherever this natural muse took him.

Recorded with a blend of the guitarist’s most recent projects in the string-laden 858 Quartet and drummer for his Beautiful Dreamers trio Rudy Royston, the resulting 19-track suite approaches a lush, near-orchestral sweep on the strength of violist Eyvind Kang, cellist Hank Roberts and Jenny Scheinman on violin.

PHOTOS: Concert photos by The Times

At times, parts of Frisell’s compositions recall some the rustic grandeur of Aaron Copland, such as on the churning “Hawks,� while “Gather Good Things� develops with a more atmospheric bent before yielding to a swirling blend of strings and Frisell’s effects-shaded tone. The band dips into a loping sort of surf-rock on “The Big One,� while other longer pieces such as “Walking Stick (for Jim Cox)� and “A Beautiful View� hint more toward Frisell’s off-kilter take on Western swing.

It all sounds entirely of Bill Frisell’s unique world, yet still like a previously undiscovered land that sounds well worth a visit.

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Bill Frisell

“Big Sur�

Three stars

(Okeh Records)

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Twitter: @chrisbarton