Released 40 years ago
The Big Gundown
John Zorn · 1986
50 min · 10 tracks · avant-garde jazz
A frenetic collision of avant-garde jazz and cinematic themes, rich in improvisation and eclecticism.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Big Gundown Start here — The title track serves as a powerful introduction to Zorn's vision, merging complex rhythms with haunting melodies that set the tone for the entire album.
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Battle of Algiers — This track stands out for its intense dynamism and intricate interplay among musicians, capturing the spirit of its cinematic source while pushing jazz boundaries.
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Once Upon a Time in the West — Closing the album, this piece showcases Zorn’s adeptness at blending narrative with musicality, creating an evocative soundscape that lingers long after it ends.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album's eclectic arrangements and improvisational style make it a standout in avant-garde jazz.
What we noticed
- Each track is a reinterpretation of a film score, often featuring abrupt tempo changes and shifts in instrumentation.
- The album employs a wide range of instruments, including strings, brass, and percussion, creating a dense and layered sound.
- Improvisation plays a significant role, with musicians frequently diverging from the written material to explore spontaneous ideas.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic exploration of themes
- wave-like pacing with surprises
- cinematic soundscapes for focus
- intense listening for detail lovers
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward song structures
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Marked Zorn's rise in avant-garde jazz, showcasing his unique style and gaining recognition.
- Career context
- Released in 1986, The Big Gundown marked John Zorn's emergence as a prominent figure in the avant-garde jazz scene. This album followed his earlier works, showcasing his unique style that blends jazz with various genres, including classical and film scores, solidifying his reputation as an innovative composer.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Mike Patton· The Thing· Merzbow
Tracklist
- 1 The Big Gundown Start here 7:26
- 2 Peur sur la ville 4:16
- 3 Poverty (Once Upon a Time in America) 3:49
- 4 Milano odea 3:03
- 5 Erotico (The Burglars) 4:27
- 6 Battle of Algiers 3:50
- 7 Giu la testa (Duck, You Sucker!) 6:06
- 8 Metamorfosi (La classe operaia va in paradiso) 4:36
- 9 Tre Nel 5000 4:37
- 10 Once Upon a Time in the West 8:31
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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