Before We Were Born

Before We Were Born
Studio album by Bill Frisell
Released	1989
Recorded	August–September, 1988
Genre	Post-bop
Length	49:33
Label	Elektra/Musician
Producer	Lee Townsend
Bill Frisell chronology
Lookout for Hope (1988)Lookout for Hope1988 Before We Were Born (1989) Is That You? (1990)Is That You?1990

Before We Were Born is the first album by Bill Frisell to be released on the Elektra Nonesuch label. It was released in 1989 and features performances by Frisell, Hank Roberts, Kermit Driscoll, and Joey Baron with guest appearances by Arto Lindsay, Peter Scherer, Julius Hemphill, Billy Drewes, Doug Wieselman, and Cyro Baptista.

Reception

The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 3½ stars stating "Bill Frisell has been one of the most unique jazz-based guitarists of the 1980s and '90s, a very eclectic player who can switch styles and sounds on a moment's notice, yet is always quite distinctive. On this atmospheric and picturesque set, Frisell uses his regular quartet of the time (cellist Hank Roberts, bassist Kermit Driscoll and drummer Joey Baron) on some selections, but also interacts with fellow guitarist Arto Lindsay, keyboardist Peter Scherer and, on "Some Song and Dance," baritonist Doug Wieselman and both Julius Hemphill and Billy Drewes on altos... A very intriguing and colorful set of eccentric music. ".

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic

Track listing

All songs composed by Bill Frisell except as noted.

1. "Before We Were Born" – 6:51
2. "Some Song and Dance: Freddy's Step" – 3:06
3. "Some Song and Dance: Love Motel" – 6:49
4. "Some Song and Dance: Pip, Squeak" – 5:28
5. "Some Song and Dance: Goodbye" – 1:43
6. "Hard Plains Drifter" – 13:24
7. "The Lone Ranger" – 7:34
8. "Steady, Girl" (Music, Frisell; lyrics, Arto Lindsay) – 2:10

Personnel

• Bill Frisell, banjo (2-5), acoustic and electric guitars
• Arto Lindsay, electric guitar (1, 7, 8), voice (8)
• Peter Scherer, keyboards (1, 7), drum programming (1), keyboard bass (8)
• Joey Baron, drums
• Hank Roberts, cello (2-5, 6), voice (6)
• Kermit Driscoll, electric bass (2-5, 6)
• Julius Hemphill, Billy Drewes, alto saxophone (2-5)
• Doug Wieselman, baritone saxophone (2-5)

Arrangement

• Tracks 1, 7, 8 arr. Bill Frisell, Peter Scherer, and Arto Lindsay
• Tracks 2-5 arr. Bill Frisell
• Track 6 arr. John Zorn

Production

• Track 2 produced by Lee Townsend
• Track 3 produced by John Zorn
• Tracks 1, 4 and 5 produced by Peter Scherer and Arto Lindsay
• Album produced by Lee Townsend