A Strikingly Profound Effort from Taylor and his Sidemen
x | USA | 08/27/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Cecil Taylor's "Alms/Tiergarten (Spree)" is one of the most marvelous examples of creative orchestra music that has ever been released. These 2 CDs document Taylor's performance in Germany on July 2, 1988 during the improvised music festival that featured Taylor. This orchestra concert is particularly fascinating, since legends such as Peter Brotzmann, Evan Parker, Han Bennink, and William Parker also are featured in the group. This meeting between the Americans and the Europeans is a triumph. The composite creativity that is represented on this recording is absolutely stellar. The music swirls, jags, and darts like the structure of a hurricane, and you, the listener, are placed at its calm center, with everything occurring around you. This is a very profound effort, filled with surprises and mysteries. Each CD (both of which last approximately an hour) consists of one long track: the first CD features "Involution/Evolution," while the second CD features "Weight-Breath-Sounding Trees." The music sounds like its titles; with this album Taylor invites you to experience the forces of nature in music. This album should not be rated by stars-it should be rated by earth, air, fire and water."
Cecil Taylor Big Band
Mark A. Horowitz | Seattle, WA United States | 11/16/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Cecil Taylor always claimed Duke Ellington as his #1 influence. On this record, I can hear the influence clearly. Taylor adds a whole palette of orchestral colors to his music, and it not only makes the structure of the compositions clearer, it keeps these pieces surprising and involving over hour-long performances. So this album isn't for you if you flat-out can't stand free/intense jazz. But if you're willing to listen with open ears (if you heard "Ascension" or "Tomorrow is the Question" without hating them!), you'll find a lot of beautiful music here."
Track Listings (1) - Disc #1