|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LP
|
|
IF 034LP
|
"Regularly hailed as one the most important composers of the late 20th century, John Zorn is comfortable at the helm of an ensemble, as improviser on an array of instruments, and as a bold theorist of collaboration. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the New York artist and operator of the esteemed Tzadik label became known for assembling hardcore-inflected jazz ensembles and for devising 'game systems,' or intricate musical conditions intended to force players into new territory. Released in 1990 on Nonesuch, Naked City bears a stark cover photograph by Weegee -- noted for his unsparing images of New York crime scenes -- and features one of the more staggering 'rock' lineups ever assembled: Zorn on alto saxophone, guitarist Bill Frisell, bassist Fred Frith, drummer Joey Baron, keyboardist Wayne Horvitz, and vocalist Yamatsuka Eye. Naked City is a maelstrom of styles, veering recklessly between country, noise, New Orleans R&B, polka, and grindcore, with overtures from detective shows and film noir. In other words, it's a daring maelstrom of American musical vernacular. It also explodes the rock format's supposed limitation and retains a wildly intersectional listenership: devotees of punk, free jazz, and harsh noise celebrate Naked City. In short, as one writer put it, Naked City remains a 'pinnacle of avant coolness.'"
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
CD
|
|
TZ 7382
|
"Radical in both conception and execution, Zorn's studio compositions are among his most personal and unique creations. Owing as much to film as to any musical model, these evocative postmodern tone poems have been described as cinema for your ears. This CD presents two exciting new pieces. The first, Dictée, is a ritualistic homage to Korean/American writer and conceptual artist Theresa Hak-Kyung Cha, whose brilliant work about loss, memory, language and identity is finally receiving due respect. The second piece, Liber Novus is a mythic psychodrama inspired by the legendary Red Book of Carl Jung; scored for keyboards, percussion and sound effects, this is truly Zorn at his best. Two outrageous, intense and poetically beautiful pieces filled with dynamic moments of sonic drama and experimental lyricism on one CD."
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
CD
|
|
TZ 3163
|
"This second release from the acclaimed box set The Parachute Years features some of the strangest music ever put to tape. Containing the essential seed that was to grow into Zorn's legendary gamepiece 'Cobra', the extended composition 'Pool' was a major step in Zorn's compositional development. Featuring electronics wizard Bob Ostertag, percussion madmen Mark E. Miller and Charles K. Noyes (The Toy Killers), the legendary master of noise violin Polly Bradfield and of course the composer himself on sax, clarinets and duck calls, this is one of Zorn's most rigorous and enigmatic game composition. Included as a bonus track is the original test and false start of 'Archery'."
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
CD
|
|
TZ 7321
|
Originally issued in 1998, now reissued. "Revised and remastered for its 10th anniversary! There has never been a CD quite like Music For Children. The first installment of Zorn's challenging and controversial Music Romance trilogy (that includes Taboo and Exile and The Gift) it is easily one of the most eclectic CDs ever made. The music includes three short Torture Garden compositions performed by Zorn with the scorching hardcore band Prelapse; a soulful piece of Masada exotica; a virtuosic classical chamber piece for violin, piano and percussion; a poly-rhythmic etude for voice and percussion and a charming nostalgic lullaby for music box. The highlight of this re-release is a revised version of Zorn's infamously epic ear-bender 'Cycles du Nord,' which takes on new intensity through overdubbed bass drums and a newly recorded noise guitar track by none other than the master of feedback himself -- Lou Reed! Intensely intriguing, Music For Children is an unbelievable musical roller coast ride that takes you from the sublime to the ridiculous and back again in sixty jam-packed minutes."
|