hallelujah anyway, remembering tom cora

various artists

tzadik

1999 CDx2

 

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reviews

“In a word, it's gorgeous. You owe it to yourself to hear this.”— Amazon

“...an important retrospective of underrecognized and versatile cellist Tom Cora.”—All Music Guide

“A dazzlingly beautiful, provocative and heartfelt tribute to the wonderful cellist Tom Cora...”— Downtown Music Gallery

Amazon

Over the years, John Zorn's Tzadik label has released dozens of memorable jazz, new music, and experimental releases, but few are as poignant--or beautiful--as this double-CD tribute to the late cellist Tom Cora (Tzadik is donating all the profits to Cora's surviving family). Before succumbing to cancer in 1998, Cora had taken the cello to new heights for two decades, working with Eugene Chadbourne, Zorn, Skeleton Crew, the Ex, and numerous other avant-gardists. His work was challenging, adventurous, and consistently good; his ear as attuned to blues and world music as the downtown NYC jazz scene. And, as this fitting sampler of his music (and his influence on others) attests, he had an impact. The avant-garde world is a generally reserved lot, but this is one collection in which everyone--musicians and friends--put their collective guard down to celebrate Cora through music. Lesli Dalabra opens with a plaintive trumpet solo that sets a somber tone on disc 1, Umezu Kazutoki & Band perform Cora's "The Gospel of Gone" on a busy Tokyo street; Cora's own recordings and collaborations are featured, and the musical contributions of his friends (Kramer, Wayne Horvitz, the Chadbournes, and numerous others) make for stirring eulogies. Remarks from close Cora associates and, most importantly, his own brief writings sprinkle the liner notes. It's a fitting tribute and an unpredictable sampler of some of the most joyous music to ever transcend the boundaries of jazz, world, and classical music. In a word, it's gorgeous. You owe it to yourself to hear this. —Jason Verlinde

All Music Guide

Hallelujah Anyway is an important retrospective of underrecognized and versatile cellist Tom Cora. A worthy eulogy, released one year after his death, this double-disc set includes songs written in his memory, songs that he composed for others, and a great cross-section of the myriad projects and musical contexts that Cora embraced. And that means a cross-section of all the creative experimenters and improvisers in avant garde rock, jazz, etc. spanning the late '70s through the late '90s. This collection includes some of Cora's solo recordings, as well as projects with John Zorn, Carlos Zingaro, Richard Teitelbaum, the Ex, Barre Philips, and the bands Curlew, Roof, Third Person (with Samm Bennett), the Chadbournes, and Skeleton Crew (with Fred Frith). Upbeat, eclectic, eccentric, beautiful -- it's all here. This release is not only emotional, for the intense, loving commitment it shows to Cora's music, but also important, in that it illuminates the undervalued brilliance of a significant improviser and extraordinary cellist. Highly recommended for all with open ears. —Joslyn Layne

Downtown Music Gallery

A dazzlingly beautiful, provocative and heartfelt tribute to the wonderful cellist Tom Cora, who died of cancer last year, leaving many of us friends of the downtown scene devastated. The sad thing is that many of Tom's recordings are currently unavailable, his completely outstanding & unique solo cello playing nowhere to be found (except here). This superb and long double cd helps set things straight by including pieces from various ensembles Tom played with - Curlew, Skeleton Crew, Third Person, The Ex & Roof. Also included are many historic & rare Cora collaborations with John Zorn & Fred Frith, Leo Smith & Richard Teitelbaum, the Chadbournes & Iva Bittova. This gives us an amazingly well rounded view of Tom's distinctive sound, the continually blurred the boundaries between avant/folk/jazz/rock improv & songs. We also get a nice dose of Tom's fine songwriting, besides versions by the bands he played in, there's Umezu's klez large klez unit doing a delightful "The Gospel of Gone," as well as The Ululating Mummies doing an uplifting version of the Nimal/Curlew tune "Jim." What really makes this entire endeavor so incredible are the numerous tributes done by Tom's friends since his passing. Lesli Dalaba's enchanting solo trumpet, Wayne Horvitz's delicate & haunting solo piano, a calm cosmic tape collage by Tom's neighbor & artist Thierry Azam, from the adventurous improv of Miya Masaoka/Larry Ochs/Bob Ostertag and Elliott Sharp/Frances-Marie Uitti to the melancholy beauty of Zeena Parkin's trio with her two sisters Sara & Margaret. This is an outstanding two & a half hour journey, an obvious labor of love, capturing the vibrant spirit that made Tom Cora a giant part of the downtown community for two decades, even after moving to southern France. Soothe yourself in these sounds as you remember or just get to know Tom Cora.