Simòn Willson - Bet: Live at Ornithology (Live) (2025) [Hi-Res]

LINER NOTES

Gambling is a game of chance where nothing is assured. Even a seemingly safe bet carries extreme risk, keeping you at the edge of your seat, in suspense to what’s coming next. In that way it resembles jazz and improvised music, where we take risks with no exit strategy, and the elements of change and surprise keep us on our toes. Making a live record is akin to crafting a risky parlay where too many things can go wrong. Yes, each band member has practiced their instrument for thousands of hours to achieve fluency and command, but there are too many factors out of our control; we only get one pass. Going into the recording, I was nervous about all the things that could go wrong— a band member having a bad day, a packed bar on Saturday night being too loud, the recording equipment failing at the 11th hour, and the list goes on and on.

Live records’ edge and sense of risk have always drawn me to them: they showcase the vulnerability of improvisation with all its mystery and imperfections. In my favorite live albums, the truth reveals itself in real time. It is not without struggle, but the effort to pull it off makes it all the more beautiful and fulfilling. With that in mind I assembled a group of musicians who would not hold back and would take risks despite the fact we were recording our efforts for eternity. Neta, Kayvon & Evan are storytellers who instigate and provoke, who grab your attention and engage you, and who communicate their love and empathy with every note.

I’m glad I took up Jimmy Katz’s generous offer to record my band live at Ornithology. There is no other place I would have rather recorded and shared our music (huge thanks to Rie & Mitch Yamaguchi-Borden and the whole staff at Ornithology). I truly think it was a bet that paid off, and I hope you think so as well.

imón Willson - bass
Kayvon Gordon - drums
Neta Raanan - tenor saxophone (tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7)
Evan Main - piano

Tracklist:
1-1 Simòn Willson;Simòn Willson - Business Card (Live) [8:36]
1-2 Simòn Willson;Simòn Willson - Jog (Live) [6:07]
1-3 Simòn Willson;Simòn Willson - Feel Love (Live) [5:09]
1-4 Simòn Willson;Simòn Willson - Have Cereal (Live) [9:04]
1-5 Simòn Willson;Simòn Willson - Three Legged Stool (Live) [5:33]
1-6 Simòn Willson;Simòn Willson - Get A Room (Live) [7:36]
1-7 Simòn Willson;Simòn Willson - Bet (Live) [5:50]