| Jazz |
A curious title for a curious album, accompanied by a book that parents and children alike will delight in reading together. It is a contemporary tale in which Barbatos speaks with the animals he encounters. This album is yours to discover, to enjoy its enchanting story. Musically, it takes the form of a kind of jazz opera; not sung, but structured; with a prologue and an epilogue framing eight richly flavorful chapters, each imbued with a delightful touch of humor that harmonizes perfectly with the book’s whimsical atmosphere.
The idea may bring to mind Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev — a trailblazer in its own right — but where that tale might tread into darker, more suspenseful territory, here the mood is gentle, joyful, and warm-hearted.
David Riddle, alias Dr. Purgatory, shares: “I wanted to create an album made of one-third Reinier Baas [Riddle’s hero and mentor], one-third Maurice Ravel, and one-third Björk.” While the influence of the latter may seem less apparent on first listen, Riddle affirms: “Her spirit lies at the heart of the project. Everything I compose is, in some sense, touched by Vespertine, Björk’s 2001 masterpiece.” The result is a chamber jazz concept album ; angular and lush; comprised of ten original compositions, brought to life by stalwarts of the Canadian jazz scene such as Colleen Allen, Andrew Downing, Noam Lemish, Aline Homzy, Stefan Hegerat, and Conrad Gluch.
For those with an ear tuned to Canadian jazz, this album stands as a vibrant showcase of its talent. Beneath its playful and poetic surface lie beautifully crafted compositions that clearly inspired the musicians involved. The arrangements are no less worthy of praise, matching the ambition of the project note for note.
But perhaps the most captivating element lies in the 40-page novella that accompanies the album — a modern, shadowed folktale, steeped in mythology and folklore. “Once the concept of the album became so clear,” recounts Riddle, who had already been experimenting with short fiction, “the story began to take shape in my mind.” He soon committed to paper an odyssey influenced by the works of his literary heroes: Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders, Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh, and The Lesser Key of Solomon, a grimoire of demonology often attributed to Aleister Crowley.
The most compelling composers are often those who write with fluency beyond their principal instrument. Here, David Riddle — though a guitarist — achieves the remarkable feat of making us forget his instrument entirely, offering eloquent and generous moments to the rest of the ensemble.
The album, rich in emotion and irreverence, and the darkly humorous, melancholic tale (illustrated by Toronto artist Sid Sharp), are inseparable — each deepening the resonance of the other. The Consumption: A Tragic Folktale in Six Parts by Dr. Purgatory was premiered in full at Toronto’s Burdock Brewery on March 20. Notably, the album is set to be released on vinyl, accompanied by a physical edition of the story.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent for Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief – Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, April 7th 2025
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Musicians: David Riddel Guitar, Compositions; Aline Homzy Violin; Colleen Allen Alto Sax, Flute; Conrad Gluch – Alto Sax, Bass Clarinet; Noam Lemish – Piano; Andrew Downing – Upright Bass; Stefan Hegerat – Drums