The Circle Maker [2-CD Set]
![The Circle Maker [2-CD Set]](/images/The-Circle-Maker-2-CD-Set-B0000067WM-L.jpg)
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Category: Music CD
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CD Details
Edition: Music CDCD Release Date: 1998-03-17
Music Label: Tzadik
Soundtracks:
- Tahah
- Sippur
- Karet
- Hadasha
- Taharah
- Mispar
- Ratzah
- Zebdi
- Yatzah
- Malkhut
- Hodaah
- Elilah
- Meholalot
- Kochot
- Lachish
- Shidim
- Aravot
- Moshav
Music reviews of The Circle Maker [2-CD Set]
Music Review: Masada in two different contexts.
Rating: 3 Stars
John Zorn's "The Circle Maker" is two albums of new arrangements of pieces from the Masada songbook-- I hesitate to refer to this as "chamber music arrangements" because its largely untrue. The first disc, "Issachar", features the Masada String Trio-- Mark Feldman on violin, the incomparable Erik Friedlander on cello, and bassist Greg Cohen. The second disc, "Zevulon", credited to the Bar Kokhba Sextet, features the Masada String Trio again further augmented by guitarist Marc Ribot, percussionist Cyro Baptista, and drummer Joey Baron. Each record has its own personality.
The Masada String Trio, for those unfamiliar, is a powerful entity unto itself-- these three are masters of their instruments and like the Masada quartet, manage to operate on an extraordinarily high level. I find myself however comparing this album to the live "50th Birthday Celebration Volume 1" disc from the same group-- its actually quite a similar sleection of songs, but I'm inclined to find the live performance more engaging and much prefer that over this one. Still, there's a brilliance that shines in many spots. "Sippur" is probably the best example of this-- Friedlander delicately states the them beautifully arco over pizzicato backing, eventually Feldman counterpoints him, and then Fridlander takes an arco solo of absolutely breathtaking sensitivity. The haunting "Hadasha" shows off beautifully the range of technique these three have-- Feldman in particular digs in deep on this one, scratching and squeaking his way through the piece, but maintaing an extraordinary level of musicality. But probably nothing on the disc is as engaging as "Yatzah"-- opening all arco (unusual, Cohen plays pizzicato for the majority) with some lush and lovely soloing from Friedlander, eventually Feldman takes the theme with such a sensitivity and real understanding behind the music. His own solo finds him in an understated mood, but able to derive from one sustained note an uncommon level of power and what I contend is the best solo I've heard him play. And speaking of great solos, Friedlander takes a spotlight on "Elijah"-- performed as a solo cello piece, that is just stunning.
The second disc, "Zevulun", is not quite what one thinks of when one thinks chamber music-- indeed the ensemble feels more like a jam band playing Masada tunes then it does any sort of chamber ensemble. While the string trio's function remains largely the same, Ribot alternates between offering color and playing melodies, while Baron operates in a similar context to his place in the Masada Quartet. Baptista's role in the preceedings is, as always, harder to define-- he's all over the map, serving as rhythmic assistence, additional color, and a countermelodic voice at times. Many times, his presence on the pieces makes the piece.
Roughly speaking, "Zevulun" divides nicely into two kinds of pieces-- those where Ribot offers color and those where the String Trio does. Both have their moments-- I particularly like Ribot's playing on the surfish "Hazor" and the overly cinematic "Laylah". The latter in particular is really quite nice, it has that sort of churning anticipation that a good western soundtrack would need. Of the string driven pieces, "Khebar" is nice (and feels like a chamber piece) and "Teli" is just brilliant-- if Ribot plays at all, he's pretty muted, but the piece is downright funky with the strings intertwining with some frantic percussion. Also of note is "Ner Tamid", where the trio and Ribot alternate stating the theme (with minimal improvisation) and a nice chugging beat from the percussionists.
All in all, "The Circle Maker" is a has a lot of good music, and at its length (around two hours) and its price a bit over 20 bucks as I write this), its definitely a fine value, but there's definitely better material in this vein out there.
Description of The Circle Maker [2-CD Set]
All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.Zorn's work with Masada is prolific if nothing else: 10 CDs of Ornette Coleman-inspired klezmer tunes that evoke the Old World and swing. These two discs highlight those compositions in a whole new setting, music for chamber groups. One disc has a string trio, the other adds percussion and Marc Ribot on guitar to create a sextet. Great playing by New York City jazz heavyweights and compositions that sound like they belong on a spaghetti Western soundtrack combine to make this one of 1998's best jazz discs. --Jason Verlinde
Influenced by both Ornette Coleman's classic quartet and klezmer, John Zorn has produced some of his best (and most consistent) work with his project Masada (Dave Douglas, Joey Baron, Greg Cohen). The compositions--all 10 CDs worth--have all been lush, gorgeous, and swinging. On The Circle Maker, Zorn successfully puts these tunes in the hand of chamber music ensembles over the course of two CDs (he did the same thing with 1996's Bar Kokbha, but that set never strayed far from the jazz idiom). Circle Maker's first disc, Issachar, features the solid trio of Mark Feldman (violin), Erik Friedlander (cello), and Greg Cohen (bass). But the real gem is the second CD, Zevulum, where those three are joined by Marc Ribot (guitar), Cyro Baptista (percussion), and Joey Baron (drums). It's an intense, moody, magic carpet ride that flies above and beyond the boundaries of world, classical, and jazz. --Jason Verlinde
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