John Zorn/Masada Chamber Ensembles 'Bar Kokhba' (2CD set)

John Zorn/Masada Chamber Ensembles
Bar Kokhba (2CD set)

This is a continuation of the 'Masada Songbook' set for chamber groups. All compositions of Zorn's music in the very capable hands of some of the usual 'Zorn' suspects & musical masters like Marc Ribot, John Medeski, Anthony Coleman & Dave Douglas et.al. Typically, within is created some fine expansive moments reworking older material & some softer tear-jerking moments too.

Masada was originally only a 4 piece band (drums, bass, trumpet, sax) & in the early days included Zorn (sax). However, as the 'songbook' grew so too did the variety of instruments & musicians. I think it's fair to say (now don't go beserk at me for this folks), that prior he had been somewhat of a fringe only player (yes, I still thought he was very good). However, it was with this more traditional (you might say) work that finally exposed him as being a really serious composer & band leader who could work with with many genres from avante-garde, through to more traditional post bop kinds & incorporate ethnic elements through to neo classical styles in his own unique way.

The Masada works can basically be divided into 3 main groups: The studio albums(10), the new arrangments, plus the live works.

One of Zorn's more accessible albums. It's hard to call this anything other than a must have for serious Zorn fans or likewise those of his Masada works. You can buy this album online here. Or just get your music outlet of choice to order it for you!

CD1:
http://tinyurl.com/rdok9
CD2:
http://tinyurl.com/lmclh

***Note for Mr Moodswings: sorry this has taken longer than first thought, seems I got caught up with some other stuff.