The Now Playing Thread

**R_of_G** · May 17th, 2013, 08:22 AM

Spudman*** · May 17th, 2013, 09:57 AM

Spudman*** · May 17th, 2013, 11:00 AM

To-Mera "Exile"

Robert**** · May 17th, 2013, 03:22 PM

The last album I bought:

**R_of_G** · May 17th, 2013, 04:36 PM

**R_of_G** · May 18th, 2013, 08:37 AM

**R_of_G** · May 18th, 2013, 10:02 AM

John Zorn - saxophone
Marc Ribot - guitar
John Medeski - organ
Kenny Wolleson - drums

Spudman*** · May 18th, 2013, 01:52 PM

**R_of_G** · May 19th, 2013, 10:26 AM

**R_of_G** · May 19th, 2013, 01:40 PM

"This is a record that has fresh, good and intelligent ideas. It is realization on a high level, a work done by a maestro with great science-fantasy and creativity... Many people have done versions of my pieces, but no one has done them like this" - Ennio Morricone

**R_of_G** · May 21st, 2013, 08:52 AM

**R_of_G** · May 21st, 2013, 10:17 AM

**R_of_G** · May 22nd, 2013, 08:19 AM

Definitely one of the strongest releases so far in a series now standing at 20 volumes.

**R_of_G** · May 22nd, 2013, 01:06 PM

Tap: Book of Angels Vol. 20 - Pat Metheny Plays Masada Book Two
Tzadik/Nonesuch 2013

**R_of_G** · May 22nd, 2013, 05:00 PM

**tjcurtin1** · May 22nd, 2013, 07:25 PM

R of G - I might have missed an earlier introduction to this series - what's the scoop? Looks kind of esoteric, but quite the collection of diverse musicians.

**R_of_G** · May 22nd, 2013, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by tjcurtin1

R of G - I might have missed an earlier introduction to this series - what's the scoop? Looks kind of esoteric, but quite the collection of diverse musicians.

The Masada Songbook is a collection of several hundred compositions written by John Zorn in the early 90s. Part of the conception of the compositions is that they're intended to be interpreted and playable by any relatively small group of musicians. These are not through-composed pieces. There are composed heads and some songs have certain other guidelines about their structures, but the vast majority of them also involve much room for improvisation.

The tunes were originally performed by Zorn's band, also named Masada. This was a sax/trumpet/bass/drums jazz combo. Later he formed Electric Masada and Bar Kokhba, two different larger bands to tackle the tunes from different angles. Other configurations have followed (Masada String Trio, Masada Quintet, etc).

This series (Book of Angels) represents a second songbook of Masada tunes written in 2003. Each album presents a different artist or group tackling selections from the book. With the quality of musicians involved, what stands out most is how each approaches improvisation.

**R_of_G** · May 23rd, 2013, 02:41 PM

**R_of_G** · May 24th, 2013, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by tjcurtin1

R of G - I might have missed an earlier introduction to this series - what's the scoop? Looks kind of esoteric, but quite the collection of diverse musicians.

I wanted to return to this question when I had some time to gather up some examples.

Thanks for the interest TJ.

Masada
(FYI, Zorn is the sax player)