23 Standards (Quartet) 2003

Anthony Braxton

Cover Album 23 Standards (Quartet) 2003 - Anthony Braxton

Eargasmic.
5
By McFeats

I lack the credentials to review this collection, but somebody has to do it. Yes, these are standards; no, Chad and Tiff won't be listening to them at their square dinner table. The pieces typically begin and close with the identifiable melody, but Braxton and company do not hold back when it comes time to let loose. And yet, despite Braxton's always clearly articulated scale-crushing and punctuated solos and Kevin O'Neal's (the man is not from this planet) often note-jammed and yet always tasteful whirlwind forays on the fretboard, the song is somehow always there. The band is tighter than spandex, and there is enough variety spread over the 4 CDs to keep the ear eargasmic. The performances were recorded during the band's 2003 tour of Europe. The recording quality is impressive, so much so that one is surprised to hear the very occasional and faint applause. Personel: Anthony Braxton - saxophones; Kevin Norton - percussion; Andy Eulau - bass; Kevin O'Neil - guitar