Search - Witches & Devils :: Live at the Empty Bottle

Live at the Empty Bottle
Witches & Devils
Live at the Empty Bottle
Genres: Jazz, Special Interest, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (4) - Disc #1

Witches & Devils is a project of tenor saxophonist Mars Williams, a tribute to Albert Ayler that was recorded live in 1997. Though the ubiquitous Ken Vandermark is also on tenor here, it's Williams who evokes the buzzi...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Witches & Devils
Title: Live at the Empty Bottle
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Knitting Factory
Original Release Date: 6/13/2000
Release Date: 6/13/2000
Album Type: Live
Genres: Jazz, Special Interest, Pop
Styles: Avant Garde & Free Jazz, Modern Postbebop, Bebop, Experimental Music
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 035828028226

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Witches & Devils is a project of tenor saxophonist Mars Williams, a tribute to Albert Ayler that was recorded live in 1997. Though the ubiquitous Ken Vandermark is also on tenor here, it's Williams who evokes the buzzing, throbbing, evangelical sound of Ayler's. This is a recording, though, and Ayler's was a saxophone sound never completely captured on record. "The records are ruins," critic and poet Amiri Baraka once said of Ayler's LPs. Ayler's compositions "Truth Is Marching In," "Angels," and "Bells" are here, one flowing into the other, but there is also an improvised saxophone duet and a piano interlude (played by Jim Baker) which nicely contrast with the other pieces. No question that the feel of Ayler is here--maybe the Ayler of the later period when he was paired with saxophonist Charles Tyler. But Williams structures these improvisations more than Ayler would have done, with shifts in dynamics and attitude, and he perhaps thus makes them more interesting for a generation that is not as shocked by the sheer sonics of post-Ayler aesthetics. "Bells," for instance, opens loosely, swirling up slowly and indirectly, until that bagpipe-like anthem comes rising and rising. A lovely surprise, and a sweet ending to a record that wears its heart on its sleeve. --John F. Szwed

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CD Reviews

Albert Ayler Lives
slayer_xzs | Chicago, IL | 06/24/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Many musicians of avant-garde/free-jazz circles have long been obsessed with the brief, brilliant, but yet tragic career of Albert Ayler. A few years back Peter Brotzmann and his Die Like A Dog Quartet released a tribute album. Moreover, artists such as Ethnic Hertiage Ensemble, Art Ensemble of Chicago, and David Murray have either dedicated pieces to Ayler or covered his songs. However, Witches and Devils (heard here from a set at Chicago's Empty Bottle in 1997) may come closest to capturing the fiery spirt of Albert Ayler. Employing the tenor sax playing of both Mars Williams and Ken Vandermark, W&D easily recalls legendary sax team of Ayler and Charles Tyler. Lest one may think I overstate things, check the version of "Bells" included here. My only quibble with the disc is that, although it comes close, it doesn't capture the power of the band live. (Note: Kent Kessler sits in on bass for regular Harrison Bankhead)"