Bar Kokhba

by John Zorn, Bar Kokhba

Overview

Bar Kokhba encompasses the wealth of material John Zorn has composed with his eminent quartet Masada. The album is a collection of Masada songs that have been rearranged for chamber ensembles. For this effort, Zorn enlists some of New York's finest musicians: John Medeski, Marc Ribot, Anthony Coleman, and Erik Freedlander, among others. The compositions range from groups of four to solo performances by Ribot, Medeski, and Coleman. While some compositions retain their original structure and sound, some are expanded and probed by Zorn's arrangements, and resemble avant-garde classical music more than jazz. But this is the beauty of the album; the ensembles provide a forum for Zorn to expand his compositions. The album consistently impresses, and the highlights include "Gevurah," "Paran," and "Mochin." Zorn's genius as both songwriter and arranger are evidenced, and the recording sits well among the traditional Masada material. ~ Marc Gilman

Product Details

Release Date:	08/20/1996
Label:	Tzadik Records
UPC:	0702397710820
Rank:	70631

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Gevurah
2. Nezikin
3. Mahshav
4. Rokhev
5. Abidan
6. Sheloshim
7. Hath-Arob
8. Paran
9. Mahlah
10. Socoh
11. Yechida
12. Bikkurim
13. Idalah-Abal

Disc 2

14. Tannaim
15. Nefesh
16. Abidan
17. Mo'ed
18. Maskil
19. Mishpatim
20. Sansanah
21. Shear-Jashub
22. Mahshav
23. Sheloshim
24. Mochin
25. Karaim

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bar Kokhba   Primary Artist
John Zorn   Primary Artist
Greg Cohen   Guest Artist,Bass
Anthony Coleman   Guest Artist,Piano
David Krakauer   Guest Artist,Clarinet
Chris Speed   Guest Artist,Clarinet
Erik Friedlander   Guest Artist,Cello
Marc Ribot   Guest Artist,Guitar
Mark Dresser   Guest Artist,Bass
Dave Douglas   Guest Artist,Trumpet
Mark Feldman   Violin
Kenny Wollesen   Drums
John Medeski   Organ,Piano

Technical Credits

Bar Kokhba   Group
Kazunori Sugiyama   Associate Producer
Kimsu Theiler   Design
David Newgarden   Associate Producer
Allan Tucker   Mastering
Jon Rosenberg   Engineer
John Zorn   Producer,Composer