Top 5 Braxton

sonic1 · July-1st-2004, 04:50 PM

This has probably been done, but...

if you could only have 5 braxton albums what would they be??

Jared

ps. i put this in the wrong place, sorry. Does anyone know how to move it?

Pete C · July-1st-2004, 04:52 PM

Since you only asked for 5 you're only in half as much trouble.

sonic1 · July-1st-2004, 04:55 PM

Well, 10 is a large number. And it tells little. Narrowing down to five tells more.

Jared

Sergio Zamora · July-1st-2004, 05:02 PM

Willisau
Dortmund
Four Compositions (GTM) 2000
Santa Cruz
That old joint on BYG/Actuel

understudy: Eight(+3) Tristano

AntManBee · July-1st-2004, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete C

Since you only asked for 5 you're only in half as much trouble.

Or perhaps twice as much! Anyway, no list from me at this point (although "Five Pieces 1975" would definitely be in there), instead: a question. I haven't heard "Six Monk's Compositions" but is curious. Anyone to recommend it?

Ennis Snavely · July-1st-2004, 05:10 PM

Dortmund (or anything from the Wheeler/Lewis, Holland, Altschul quartet).
Creative Orchestra Music '76.
Performance 1979 on HAT with Anderson, Lindberg and Barker.
Willisau.
Trio Music, 1989 with Oxley and Roldinger (sic).

I also like Basil, 1977 and Quartet 1983 on Black Saint.

Jesse · July-1st-2004, 05:11 PM

Without access to looking at my collection:

Monteux/Berlin Concerts

Duets 1976 (w/Abrams)

Seven Compositions (trio w/Roidinger/Oxley)

Creative Music Orchestra 1976

Quartet: Performance (the redoubtable Thurman Barker on tubs)

Jesse · July-1st-2004, 05:14 PM

Ennis:
Wow, that's simpatico-we simultaneousy posted 3 (out of a staggering ouevre )of the same faves.

Ennis Snavely · July-1st-2004, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesse

Ennis:
Wow, that's simpatico-we simultaneousy posted 3 (out of a staggering ouevre )of the same faves.

That 7 Comps, 1989 is well overdue for reissue.

Brian Olewnick · July-1st-2004, 05:47 PM

New York, Fall, 1974
Dortmund
For Alto
Willisau
Composition 247

Dan G · July-1st-2004, 05:50 PM

it would be hard to pick 10 I could live without, but 5...I'll have to do something that tries to represent most of his phases.

For Alto
Creative Orchestra (Koln)
Seven Compositons (Trio)
Willisau
Yoshi's Ninetet Vol. 2

As a band member/guest:
Conference of the Birds (Dave Holland)
Paris Concert (Circle)
QB (Paul Smoker)
Concerto Grosso (Richard Tietelbaum)
Naima (Roland Dahinden)

stonemonkts · July-1st-2004, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AntManBee

Or perhaps twice as much! Anyway, no list from me at this point (although "Five Pieces 1975" would definitely be in there), instead: a question. I haven't heard "Six Monk's Compositions" but is curious. Anyone to recommend it?

I would highly recommend it. It is nothing like any other session I've heard with Braxton, but it is one of my favorite interpretations of Monk (by someone other than Monk of course). An added bonus is Mal Waldron on the piano. I love what Braxton does with "Skippy" (also love that he decided to cover it in the first place, as it is one of my fav. Monk compositions).

My top five:

Dortmund
Trio (London) 1993
Quartet (Coventry) 1985
Alto Sax Improvisations 1979
Six Monk Compositions

michaelr · July-2nd-2004, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Olewnick

New York, Fall, 1974
Dortmund
For Alto
Willisau
Composition 247

I'd be hard pressed to come up with a better top 5 than this. About the only things I might add are the Creative Construction Company disks. (Does anyone know if these have ever been reissued? If not, it is about time that happens.) Also, maybe Donaueschingen (Duo) 1976, but then I'd have to remove some of the items above, and I don't quite think I would do that.

Ennis Snavely · July-2nd-2004, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AntManBee

Or perhaps twice as much! Anyway, no list from me at this point (although "Five Pieces 1975" would definitely be in there), instead: a question. I haven't heard "Six Monk's Compositions" but is curious. Anyone to recommend it?

I had high hopes for the Monk given that Waldron and Neidlinger were on it. Unfortunatly I think Braxton falls flat. His approach doesn't do justice to the music; he shows that he can play fast on "Skippy", but when compared to Lacy's version on "Reflections" (with pretty much the same band), he misses the character of the tune. I've heard him do better on standards. He does a nice "All The Things You Are" on trio 89.

Konitz, BTW, had some pretty savage words for Braxton based on Anthony's take on Tristano, but that's been covered here before.

Rob C · July-2nd-2004, 10:53 AM

Dortmund (Quartet) 1976
Willisau (Quartet) 1991
Creative Orchestra (Koln) 1978
Six Compositions: Quartet (I think that's the name--the one with Blackwell)
Performance (Quartet) 1979 (I just found this one and it's great)

That leaves some good ones out, though.

Steve Reynolds · July-3rd-2004, 02:21 AM

Dortmund
Willisau
Trio 1973
For Alto
Santa Cruz

Nate Dorward · July-3rd-2004, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ennis Snavely

I had high hopes for the Monk given that Waldron and Neidlinger were on it. Unfortunatly I think Braxton falls flat. His approach doesn't do justice to the music; he shows that he can play fast on "Skippy", but when compared to Lacy's version on "Reflections" (with pretty much the same band), he misses the character of the tune. I've heard him do better on standards. He does a nice "All The Things You Are" on trio 89.

Konitz, BTW, had some pretty savage words for Braxton based on Anthony's take on Tristano, but that's been covered here before.

Yeah, his solo on "Skippy" is awful! I still like the album, warts & all, though mainly for the two ballads. Despite the glaring flaws on the Charlie Parker set for that matter I still find I like it. The Tristano/Marsh tribute though I can't stand. Konitz is a complete sourpuss & I wouldn't take him too seriously therefore, but he's right to slag this one off (the track he nailed was "April").

Of the "classic" quartet sides I've heard, the Santa Cruz is probably the best. I think Willisau's overrated just because it's unobtainable & massive.

stonemonkts · July-3rd-2004, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate Dorward

Yeah, his solo on "Skippy" is awful! I still like the album, warts & all, though mainly for the two ballads.

Hmm, so that's two nays for the Monk album. Perhaps this is one of those instances where there's just no accouting for (my) taste. I agree with you concerning the 2 ballads. I'm especially fond of his take of "Ask Me Now".

martini · July-3rd-2004, 12:54 PM

An impossible task, but in no particular order:

1. Quartet Live at Moers Festival (2 LP Ring Records)
I chose this instead of "NY Fall '74" and/or "Five Pieces '75." I could really go either way. They are from the same era, but these live discs really smoke.

2. Creative Music Orchestra aka "Comp. 25" (3LP Ring/Moers)
This recording has a little bit of everything. An underappreciated recording that desperately needs to be reissued.

3. Willisau (Quartet) 1991 (hatArt)
Gotta have something from this amazing group.

4. Six Compositions (GTM) 2001 (Rastascan)
My favorite recording of the GTM, though the Yoshi's Vol.2 is pretty close.

5. Trillium R (Braxton House)
Yes, indeed. I chose this one because it combines pretty much everything that is not included on the aforementioned selections: large scale composition and use of text/story narratives. Most people probably hate this stuff (though I completely dig it), but if I could only select five titles, I would want to try to capture as many facets of his creativity as possible.

Unfortunately, these selections would mean that some of my other favorites (including some of his solo stuff) would be left behind: Saxophone Improvisations Series F; Solo (Skopje) 1995; Wesleyan (12 Altosolos) 1992; Dortmund (Quartet) 1976; Performance (Quartet) 1979; Seven Compositions 1978; Composition 96; Eugene 1989; Creative Orchestra Koln 1978; Elements of Surprise.

Dan G · July-3rd-2004, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

An impossible task, but in no particular order:
4. Six Compositions (GTM) 2001 (Rastascan)

I'm going to have to pull this one off the shelf and give it another go. I remember it being pretty hit and miss, not really warranting 4 discs.

SilentKnowledge · July-3rd-2004, 02:49 PM

I have only heard 3 Compositions of New Jazz, First Duo Concert & For Alto.

sonic1 · July-3rd-2004, 03:31 PM

Now for mine:

New York, Fall, 1974
Creative Music Orchestra 1976
Eight(+3) Tristano
Anthony Braxton s/t
Five Peices 1975

( I have yet to hear Trillium and am dying for a copy...)
I had a hard time ommitting For Alto, and though I know it is an important, and great album, it doesn't have as strong a place in my personal music listening history as the aforementioned.

Jared

Squaredancecalling Steve · July-3rd-2004, 03:36 PM

There is so much well-regarded Braxton that I have never heard that I feel I should put my entire list in parentheses. Given that caveat,

Composition #247

Duo (London) 1993

Trio (London) 1993

Donaueschingen (Duo) 1976

For Alto

I also like the first one with Wadada Leo Smith (3 Comps of new Jazz), the Monks Tunes, the duo albums with John Lindberg and Mario Pavone, and of course Conference of The Birds.

jazzfiend · July-3rd-2004, 03:47 PM

Well, I just ordered Braxton's new 4cd box (23 Standards) live quartet sessions, direct from Leo Records. Will report back soon.

LeMo · July-3rd-2004, 05:13 PM

- For Alto (1968) (Delmark)
- Quartet (Dortmunt) 1976 (hatOLOGY)
- Willisau (Quartet) 1991 (hat ART)
- Quartet (Santa Cruz) 1993 (hat ART)
- Four Compositions (GMT) 2000 (Delmark)

+

- Five Pieces (1975) (Arista)
- AB/George Lewis Duo: Elements of Surprise (1976) (Moers Music)
- Max Roach featuring AB: Birth & Rebirth (1979) (Black Saint)
- Seven Compositions (Trio) 1989 (hat ART)
- Trio (London) 1993 (Leo)

LeMo · July-3rd-2004, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate Dorward

I think Willisau's overrated just because it's unobtainable & massive.

No, because it's just his undisputable masterpiece with the "classic" quartet.

Brian Olewnick · July-3rd-2004, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeMo

No, because it's just his undisputable masterpiece with the "classic" quartet.

I'd agree. There are a couple of moments in there where Braxton's music, imho, reaches as sublime a moment as I've ever heard from him. Santa Cruz comes close but, to my ears, doesn't quite scale the same heights.

LeMo · July-3rd-2004, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Olewnick

There are a couple of moments in there where Braxton's music, imho, reaches as sublime a moment as I've ever heard from him. Santa Cruz comes close but, to my ears, doesn't quite scale the same heights.

I'd agree.

Dan G · July-3rd-2004, 07:05 PM

I think Willisau was getting the kind of accolades it deserves even before it became a rarity. As for its massiveness, Braxton's never been one for small projects - two 3 record boxes when those were very uncommon, lots of double LP; at least one other 4 disc CD set, numerous 2 cd sets... and most of the time, they amount of good material warrants the release.

Having said that, I spent the afternoon with the 4 cd set on Rastascan, as mentioned above. The large ensemble piece is pretty good, the quintets are fantastic, as is the reed duo on 4. The only pieces that didn't blow me away were the trio and reed/guitar duo on disc 4. Overall, very good but still not top 5 (or even 15) for me.

Jon Abbey · July-3rd-2004, 09:36 PM

when I was spending a lot of time with the classic Braxton quartet, I never understood why people considered Santa Cruz to be anywhere near as strong as Willisau. I saw this quartet front row at the old Knitting Factory, first time I ever saw any of those four musicians, really blew my mind, especially Dresser and Hemingway.

anyway, I sold my copy of Santa Cruz and I still have 25 Braxton discs left, although I'd probably sell any of them at the right price. if I could only keep one, though, it would be the Willisau box.