Search - Last Exit, Bill Laswell :: Noise of Trouble

Sonny Sharrock is the greatest

Eric Jenness (jenness@acessvt.com) | Vermont | 11/20/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sonny Sharrock was simply the greatest slide guitarist in the world, and that's that. Here he is in his aptly titled group Last Exit, with German free saxophonist Peter Brotzmann, Ornette's former Prime Time drummer, Ronald Shannon Jackson, and bassist Bill Laswell (who did the mixes on Miles' Panthalassa album). This, along with Live in New York, is Sonny Sharrock's only live album, a masterpiece of the future, showing the guitarist at the height of his powers, blending Led Zeppelin's bluesy, powerful force of movement and John coltrane's free jazz explorations into the unknown. Any crazy Sharrock fan must buy this album."

The next level of fusion

curlywombat | Pearl River, NY United States | 02/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"last exit is probably the best fusion ive heard since miles davis' work of the 70s. this builds on the framework davis created then, but completely taking it to the next level, a goddam firestorm of sound that becomes the saddest blues and the most melodic jazz in a matter of seconds. EVERYONE on this album deserves attention, not just sonny sharrock, though he was probably the most intense guitar player the earth has seen since hendrix's passing. brotzmann, laswell, jackson, and hancock all give incredible performances, esp. on the last song, where herbie's delicate, lilting piano lines are raped and impaled by brotzmann's blistering sax. laswell and jackson also, as they make for one of the most interesting, skilled rhythm sections ive ever heard. i can't praise this album (and this band) enough."