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Post by Offering on Aug 22, 2013 16:15:49 GMT -5
So.. Anyone can advise which is the closest airport to Huddersfield??? Manchester, possibly? It's a four hour plus drive for me, but am tempted. It sucks that you can't buy a pass for all the shows, but I guess all the shows individually add up to the price of a full concert ticket. Hermetic Organ too! Very tempted but cash will rule me out of this one. Short notice!
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Post by Offering on Aug 19, 2013 1:18:43 GMT -5
I received Dreamachines a couple of days ago, after listening to it three or four times I can say it's one of my favourite releases of the year (I love Ceremonial magic in its both versions, but as a complete cd, Dreamachines is amazing). I would love to see this band live..I like it much more than Nova Express (it's curious , with The mysteries I had high expectations, but for me Gnostic preludes is way better. In this case, same band, same Burroughs/Gysin theme, but much more impressive release Agreed!
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Post by Offering on Aug 2, 2013 16:40:31 GMT -5
Dreamachines. Pretty fantastic. Would have KILLED opening Zorn@60 with this band!
Wolleson on FIRE.
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Post by Offering on Jul 21, 2013 20:04:03 GMT -5
Wow. Brilliant.
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Post by Offering on Jul 13, 2013 18:23:31 GMT -5
At the Minneapolis Zorn@60 event, after basically an entire day of saxless Zorn (3PM discussion, 4PM game pieces, 7PM Masada, 10PM Concealed/Nova Express) some asshole shouted out "HEY JOHN! WHERE'S YOUR SAX!" and thus ensued a lovely little rant by JZ (including some stuff not into the mic that I could hear from the front row but most people probably couldn't). The plan - which was right on the damn schedule, dear Mr. Asshole Shouter, if you'd cared to look - was to finish off the festival with the sax trio and then the solo pipe organ, so we'd all get to see him play some instruments. I hate people like that. He's not a fucking trained monkey who has to play what and when you tell him to... Basically! I remember you telling that story and I agree with you. I was front row centre too last might - next time I'm going to get seats further back! My neck hurt after a while from all the looking up rather than sitting on a slightly raised seat as they are the further back you go. Also as I said in my "review", sometimes my view was blocked by the sheet music stands!
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Post by Offering on Jul 13, 2013 14:25:37 GMT -5
I wouldn't have pegged that as a "rant" if you hadn't said so! I think the British just like apologizing... Sounds like a really good night. I always think Electric Masada should play a longer set, sometimes I miss the days where we got real sets from every band and a "Masada Marathon" was three bands a night and they all got to play for 40 minutes. I've been avoiding the Song Project (on Youtube etc.) because I keep hearing bad reviews and I'm hoping by the time I get to see it in September they will have improved it some... Hopefully, yes! That said, it's been the same set for each of the Zorn@60 shows so far, so... Yeah, reading it back I didn't really slag anything off at all! One thing I will add though, I overheard a couple behind me moaning about the lack of Zorn playing sax. When he came out with his horn for the EM set they were all "Finally! About time!". I got kinda miffed at that - Where was everyone the last time he was over here in 2009 for his solo set and duet with Z'ev, at the Equinox Festival in Kings Cross? 100 people there at the most...
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Post by Offering on Jul 13, 2013 4:20:54 GMT -5
Ok, Zorn@60 in London last night. Firstly, let me say that I had a great evening. Zorn only seems to venture over here every 3 or 4 years or so, so the following rant is NOT me COMPLAINING! I am grateful to have seen the show and I did have a great time, but I did have a few bugbears...
The Song Project - I'm still not convinced with this idea. Everyone played great, but I struggled to see the whole point of it all. Some of the lyrics I heard sounded very contrived and forced, and I just got the impression that the singers were just going through the motions because Zorn was making them do it! These songs do not need lyrics and vocals added to them just for the sake of it! My opinion, but this slot could have been used to greater effect - Painkiller? Cobra? Longer Dreamers or EM sets? - lots of possibilities. Fun watching Patton and Baron laughing between each other though.
The Holy Visions - This was fantastic. This piece is enthralling, and all the voices were phenomenal. I'd never seen this type of thing in a live environment and I loved it. They all had tuning forks and would sporadically hit them and hold them to their ears ( obviously to stay in / refer to their tune ) which is something I'd never heard of or seen before. Very interesting, haunting and entertaining. I look forward to the CD release.
Moonchild / Templars - No John Medeski for whatever reason, or indeed any organ accompaniment. So it was Patton, Dunn, Baron trio with Zorn donning his hoodie to conduct. Of course this was great. The enthusiasm was visible in everyone and the short set was STORMING.
The Alchemist - Wow. Seeing these musicians up close was breathtaking. They look so young too! Absolute masters. I'm not going to wax lyrical and pretend that I know all about how this piece worked, and some of it went over my head, but damn. These guys can really play and it was a joy to watch. Lots of picking and subtlety. It obviously moved Zorn too, as he was welling up after the performance as he congratulated the players. He was obviously very pleased with their performance. Prior to this being performed, Zorn told us all the full title of the piece. It's way too long and I cannot remember it...
Illuminations - Possibly my favourite piece of the night. Even though due to sheet music stands my view was slightly impaired, I loved this. Kenny Wolleson is so fluid and musical, he is so good to watch. Steven Gosling has his back to us but he was bang on the monet, and the energy of this piece comes over very well live. Damn good fun!
Dreamers / Electric Masada - Speak for themselves. Great conducting on Zorn's part, and watching Joey Baron is NEVER dull. My only complaint here is that Electric Masada didn't play more tunes ( Hath Arob, Yatzar and Idalah Abal ) and that I didn't have to run for my train!
Actually, reading this back there were more good points than complaints so I guess it's all good!
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Post by Offering on Jul 8, 2013 15:11:10 GMT -5
I'm about halfway through, it's a great interview and there's a preview of some new music. I can recommend everyone spend some time with this. Enjoying it now, thanks!
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Post by Offering on Jul 2, 2013 9:05:36 GMT -5
From the Stone calendar for 2014: THE STONE RESIDENCIES JOHN ZORN'S BOOK OF ANGELS A special week long festival of 12 bands from The Book of Angels series performing music from Masada Book Two. SEPT 2—7 Taking a weeks vacation for these shows, Sarah?
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Post by Offering on Jun 10, 2013 19:41:47 GMT -5
It's a great album, and I'd say if you enjoyed them live you'll enjoy this album.
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Post by Offering on May 29, 2013 15:37:46 GMT -5
Ha! I wonder how that is working anyway, are Nonesuch taking the profits from their version and Tzadik taking from theirs? I was listening to Azazel / BOA Vol. 2 earlier and their interpretation of Mastema came on. It seemed odd hearing it after not hearing it for a while and recently listening to the ( very different! ) Metheny version.
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Post by Offering on May 28, 2013 13:52:54 GMT -5
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Post by Offering on May 28, 2013 12:06:57 GMT -5
It seems that Zorn is getting more attention and media coverage with his Metheny collaboration than ever.. I haven't heard the cd (it's on its way) but for the moment it seems it could be his most commercial ever. It's no more "commercial" than any other BOA release. It's only because Metheny is a big name and Nonesuch are a major ("jazz") label.
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Post by Offering on May 27, 2013 14:43:48 GMT -5
Agreed. The BOA series works best when the artists run their own way with things. I know all volumes are like this to an extent, but some really go out there. Namely Tap, Xaphan, Koby Israelite's album too.
I checked out Tap again tonight and loved it. It's a great album, it really is.
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Post by Offering on May 27, 2013 14:41:03 GMT -5
Thanks for your insights guys!
Stefano - Yes, I've used DMG before a few times and they have always been great. I thought they had a "no marking as gift" style policy though?
I shall investigate further!
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