You never know what to expect from Bill Frisell. He's made jazz records, Americana-ish records, records of pop songs and, most often, records that combine at least one of the above with something else you couldn't predict. His guitar sound is unmistakeable, though - languid, liquid, impressionistic. Currently, the trio includes superb violinist Jenny Scheinman and Greg Leisz on acoustic rhythm and lap steel and again, unexpectedly, they're playing a set of John Lennon songs.

By importing unexpected sounds, the trio cast new light on familiar material; simultaneously the looseness and freedom of their approach releases echoes that have always been there. These new treatments of songs, even to this resolute Beatles refusenik, are powerfully resonant; more ethereal than the earthly body form which it took its form.

The bulk of the set is gorgeous, heady, and it's only the few more straightforward takes that are less rewarding. Frisell draws out the opening riff of Come Together with such exquisite longeurs that when the tune finally hits it's hard to suppress a giggle of relief. But Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds, despite the fragile psychedelia of the verses, feels strident, cheesy even, and, at his rare worst, Frisell is just doing that unmistakeable noodle around an inescapable melody. Just when you think they've had the good taste to avoid the ghastly schmaltz of Imagine, up it pops as first encore and, indeed, it is wincingly horrible. Much, much better is closer Give Peace a Chance - part jig, part bobby-sox rock'n'roll, part samba. It's the best illustration of how the linear quality of Lennon's compositions - as opposed to McCartney's flights of saccharine ostentation - provide the perfect platform for Frisell's imaginings.

· At the Barbican, London EC2, on Tuesday November 15. Box office: 020-7638 8891.