TIMOTHY NORTON
Visions of Phaedrus, the stunning debut of bassist and composer Timothy Norton, introduces the Jazz world to a vivid new musical voice. Rich and varied in sound and approach, the album embraces the full range of human experiences, delving into the ideals of art and interpersonal connection at times, while also whole-heartedly celebrating the mundane and even ridiculous aspects of daily life at others.For this debut, Norton drew inspiration from one of the world’s most influential texts of all time: Plato’s Phaedrus. Set as a dialogue between Socrates with Athenian aristocrat Phaedrus, Plato’s imagined discussion between the two minds interrogates the very nature of love, desire, and truth as the conversation between the two friends patiently wends its way through its many topics.
“I like this theme of friendship, where you can pass the time with someone and let the conversation turn deep and serious at points,” Norton explains. “That resonated with me, as I thought on some of the happiest and most meaningful memories in my own life.” Drawing upon that wellspring, Visions of Phaedrus similarly unfurls comfortably as a conversation among musical friends. Indeed, like any good discussion, Visions of Phaedrus takes time to tackle weighty topics in the music, while also reveling in the daily laughs and minor setbacks of everyday life.
By celebrating the great and small in life, the album rewards audiences with a thrillingly rich listening experience. The solemn “Ergo the Boogeyman” pays tribute to everyone’s individual struggles with personal demons, while the lyrically dancing waltz “Kings Inn” pauses to reflect on and express gratitude for the constants we enjoy in an otherwise uncertain world. With similar artistry and insight, however, the works also move into the ironic and winking: “Rafe’s Windmill” draws its inspiration in part from extensive re-watchings of Seinfeld, while “Saba Saba Bachu Bachu” pokes (deserved) fun at overly serious song titles by taking its name from a gibberish phrase coined by Norton’s two-year-old niece. “A lot of people try to have very profound and deep messages in their music, and have the music be symbolic for various things,” Norton explains. “That is important, but things can also just be simple. We can talk about daily experiences, and that can still be profound.”
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