Mayor of Punkville
William Parker · 2000
140 min · 11 tracks · free jazz
A sprawling tapestry of avant-garde jazz woven with deep political and cultural reflections.
Why this album works
The album is notable for its ambitious structure and length, with tracks often exceeding fifteen minutes, which exemplifies Parker's commitment to improvisation and exploration in jazz. It received positive critical reception, positioning Parker as an influential artist within the avant-garde jazz scene of the early 2000s.
- Best for
- wave-like pacing inviting reflection long tracks for deep engagement dynamic exploration of complex themes
- Context
- Released in 2000, 'Mayor of Punkville' marks a significant moment for William Parker as it showcases his evolution into a prominent figure in free jazz. At this point, Parker had already established himself through collaborations and previous works, but this album solidified his voice as a bandleader and composer, following his acclaimed projects in the late 1990s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Madonna· Diana Ross· Christina Aguilera· Prince· Bob Dylan· Chicago· Frank Zappa· Barbra Streisand
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Interlude #1 (The Next Phase) 4:00
- 2 James Baldwin to the Rescue Standout 18:26
- 3 Oglala Eclipse 19:47
- 4 I Can’t Believe I Am Here 28:50
Disc 2
- 1 Interlude No.7 (Huey’s Blues) 5:23
- 2 3 Steps to Nøh Mountain: Departure 5:08
- 3 3 Steps to Nøh Mountain: Soft Wheel 5:22
- 4 3 Steps to Nøh Mountain: Laughing Eyes and Dancing Hearts 3:45
- 5 The Mayor of Punkville Standout 30:52
- 6 Interlude No.8 (Holy Door) 6:01
- 7 Anthem Standout 13:06
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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