John Zorn's Cobra: Live at the Knitting Factory
67 min · 14 tracks · avant-garde jazz
An exhilarating blend of spontaneous composition and intricate improvisation that defies conventional jazz boundaries.
Why this album works
The album is notable for its unique format, where the musicians follow Zorn's cues through a card game system, allowing for an unpredictable and dynamic performance. It has been widely praised in avant-garde circles and helped to elevate the profile of live improvisational music, influencing subsequent generations of experimental artists.
- Best for
- wave-like pacing with surprises dynamic exploration of soundscapes intricate improvisation for attentive listeners
- Context
- Released in 1995, 'Cobra: Live at the Knitting Factory' captures John Zorn during a prolific period, following his influential album 'Naked City'. This live recording showcases Zorn's innovative strategies in music performance, emphasizing collaborative improvisation with a rotating cast of musicians, solidifying his role as a pivotal figure in avant-garde jazz.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Christina Aguilera· Diana Ross· Madonna· Prince· George Benson· Chicago· Bob Dylan· Barbra Streisand
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Hemachatus Haemachatus 2:14
- 2 Naja Naja Atra Standout 8:43
- 3 Many-banded Krait Standout 11:02
- 4 Taipan 1:31
- 5 D. Poplyepsis 3:23
- 6 Lampropeltis Doliata Syspila 2:19
- 7 Boomslang Standout 11:11
- 8 Maticora Intestinalis 6:23
- 9 Acanthopis Antarcticus 4:03
- 10 Hydrophiidae 5:45
- 11 Ngu Sam Liem 0:54
- 12 Ophiophagus Hannah 1:28
- 13 Boulengerina 5:32
- 14 Laticauda Laticauda 3:02
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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