Joe Morris, Simon H. Fell, Alex Ward - The Necessary And The Possible (2009)

This is a beautiful live recording by a free improvisation trio that was formed for the 2008 FIMAV Festival. They had all worked together previously, although not this closely: Joe Morris with the Hession/Wilkinson/Fell trio in the late '90s, Alex Ward in Simon H. Fell's orchestral pieces and SFQ groups since the early 2000s, and all three in a Fell orchestral piece premiered at the 2007 Huddersfield Festival. As a trio, they had performed a couple of sets in the U.S. a few days prior to this festival appearance. It sounds like they have been going at it as a unit for years. Just listen at the tight trialogue developing at the onset of "Ils Improvisaient" -- a community of souls and fingers -- or the restrained yet constant energy of "Ils Improviseront." This trio is particularly strong at avoiding trading dialogues while the third wheel drones alone: the discourse is three-voiced, Morris' acoustic guitar, Fell's bass, and Ward's clarinet constantly engaging each other. The set's highlight is the third piece, "Ils Improvisaient," where the trio hits a level of chemistry rarely seen, the kind of moment that is the reward most prized by any free improvisation fan. The Necessary and the Possible documents three great improvisers getting the best out of an opportunity to perform in optimal conditions.