There wasn't anybody quite original as the late British guitarist Derek Bailey. Throughout his long career, Bailey pushed the boundaries of free-form improvisation with his unique brand of playing. Although this past Christmas Day marks two years since his untimely passing, Derek Bailey still lives on through his music and those who have kept his memory alive since then.
Bailey's most acclaimed recording came towards the very end of his life - the 2002 solo guitar classic "Ballads". This CD was a continuous 41-minute performace in which Bailey interspersed numerous jazz standards alongside his eccentric free improvisations. What few people knew at the time was that two months prior to recording "Ballads", Bailey had recorded a first attempt that was later shelved. Five years later, this shelved 'first take' of "Ballads" has finally seen the light of day under the title of "Standards".
While similar to "Ballads" inpart, the structure of the "Standards" CD is quite different. For starters, instead of being a continuous disc-long performance, there are seven separate improvisations. Also, while the "Ballads" performance found Bailey quoting a specific tune's melody immediately, on "Standards" he builds up to it with long improvised phrases. Despite the differences in feel and structure, "Standards" is still a solid piece of work from beginning to end and shows Derek Bailey at his absolute best.
"Standards" is an excellent companion to the "Ballads" disc and is full of beauty and adventure. It isn't difficult to picture Derek relaxing in a rocking chair in some cozy enviornment performing this music. It's quite intimate but at the same time, it keeps you focused with its unpredictability.
On a personal note, I find it to be interesting that the album closes with Derek saying "Happy New Year" (this was recorded in January 2002) and this being one of the very first CDs I have purchased in the new year of 2008. What a great way to start a year.
Great CD. This and "Ballads" are highly recommended!

With the passing of Derek Bailey, it seems a number of recordings, whether out of print or unreleased, seem to be coming into general availability. Perhaps the crown jewel of the posthumous material released thus far, "Standards" is in effect an early take of "Ballads". Per the liner notes, the story goes that Bailey had recorded a set of standards while in New York, but decided upon returning home to London to change his approach. The later recording was "Ballads" and this recording, released as "Standards", sat on the shelf.

In listening to the two of them together, the differences between them are clear. "Ballads" tends to state the theme then delve into brief improvisation and presents all the pieces as a continuous performance, "Standards" starts with improvisation and briefly states the melody towards the end of each piece, with the pieces tending towards longer lengths and presented as separate performances. But one thing that's certain, they're both very clearly the work of Derek Bailey-- his voice, his sound, and his unique approach to the guitar dominate the performances. This recording may be a bit more abstract (it's presentation of the theme as a coda leaves the listeners with little touchstone) and I think succeeds a bit less. The strength of "Ballads", for me at least, was that it allowed Bailey to explore a sentimentality and melancholy that he often didn't exhibit in his music. Opening with the themes of old ballads lent themselves to this-- it set up almost a schmaltz from the start. While the playing on "Standards" is staggering and intense and enormously powerful, it captures more of Bailey's manic energy and mystery than that unique sadness of "Ballads".

This isn't to say it's not a superb listen, mind you, and make no mistake, this is clearly no demo recording-- this is a complete and fully formed vision. Perhaps the biggest testament to Bailey's genius is that he could take a fine record, abandon it and outdo it. "Standards", however, provides an intriguing view into the working process and is a fine listen on its own. Recommended.