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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.
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