[Exceprted]
Masada Guitars is not an assortment but a series of solo acoustic exposistions by Sparks, Ribot and Bill Frisell. All three take on the music of John Zorn in this program of 21 selections. Sparks combines a particular Jewish ethnicity with a jazz sensibility on songs like "Kodashim" and "Ravayah," as he alternates between certain cycles and phrasings that echo both traditional Jewish music and folk and jazz traditions. Ribot, on the other hand, can come off as the iconoclast, offering subtle and not-so-subtle contrasts akin to his experimental string work of previous years, bending the strings (and rules, perhaps) on tunes like "Kedem," "Hodaah" and "Galgalim." Frisell's more overt, avantish excursions on pieces like "Katzatz," notwithstanding, his voice also includes quiet, chamber-like statements such as "Elihah." Having said this, Frisell's effects, twangs and geberal affinity for electronic expression are refreshing and not out of place.
Beautiful, unpredictable, and a testament to John Zorn's composerly ways, if you love guitar music, Masada Guitars brings you close to the instrument in a delightful assortment. -John Ephland |
