Search - Anthony Braxton :: Eight (+3) Tristano Compositio

Braxton's tribute to his influences.

Douglas T Martin | Alpharetta, GA USA | 06/26/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Anthony Braxton works his way through eight Lennie Tristiano songs, one by Warne Marsh, and two standards (one by Irving Berlin). As usual, Braxton breaks out the arsenal of woodwinds on which he is proficient but for this recording limits himself to using members of the sax and flute family. Jon Raskin contributes baritone sax to several cuts; I'm not familiar with the original Tristiano recordings but putting the baritone on the front line suits the compositions well. An almost flawless recording that might be a revelation to those naysayers that claim that Braxton can't play jazz (ie: "standards"). Flaw? Some songs tear along at a breakneck tempo that forces the soloists to make a display of technique rather than expression. Still good, though.With John Raskin, baritone sax; Dred Scott, piano; Cecil McBee, bass; Andrew Cyrille, drums."