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1987 studio album by John Zorn
Cobra is a double album featuring a live and studio performance of John Zorn 's improvisational game piece , Cobra recorded in 1985 and 1986 and released on the Hathut label in 1987. Subsequent recordings of the piece were released on Knitting Factory (John Zorn's Cobra: Live at the Knitting Factory (1992)), Avant (John Zorn's Cobra: Tokyo Operations '94 (1994)) and Zorn's own label Tzadik Records , (Cobra: John Zorn's Game Pieces Volume 2 )) in 2002.
Reception
AllMusic contains two disparate reviews of the album, the first by Brian Olewnick awarded the album 3 stars stating "one is left with the nagging (and correct) sense of something crucial being missed. As a document in Zorn's career, Cobra is essential. As a purely musical experience, it is, quite unfortunately, less so".[ 1]
The second review of the 2002 CD reissue by Steve Loewy rated the album 4½ stars calling it "A masterpiece of eclecticism... all presented in Zorn's wickedly demented style, which tends toward pastiche but fascinates with its energy and variety. For Zorn enthusiasts, this is a must-have release."[ 2]
Track listing
Disc one (Studio Version)
Title 1. "Opening" 0:59 2. "Allegro" 4:32 3. "Largo" 6:13 4. "Moderato" 7:41 5. "Fantasia" 3:44 6. "Presto" 1:39 7. "Adagio Maestoso" 2:39 8. "Violento" 4:16 9. "Allegro Scorrevole" 2:35 10. "Capriccio Congusto" 4:40 11. "False Start/Giocoso" 0:52 12. "Scherzo" 5:46 13. "Maestoso Meccanico" 1:21 14. "Variations/Furioso" 8:40 15. "Epilogue" 3:43
Title 1. "Prologue/Maestoso" 6:05 2. "Capriccio" 13:23 3. "Prestissimo" 14:03 4. "Lento/Mysterioso" 9:29 5. "Allegro" 10:24
All compositions by John Zorn
Note: Disc one: 1, 9, 11, 13, 14 and Disc two: 3 are extra tracks not available on the original vinyl edition.
Personnel
Disc one (Studio Version)
Jim Staley – trombone
Carol Emanuel – harp
Zeena Parkins – harp
Bill Frisell – guitar
Elliott Sharp – doubleneck guitar/bass, soprano, voice
Arto Lindsay – guitar, voice
Anthony Coleman – piano, harpsichord, celeste, Yamaha organ
Wayne Horvitz – piano, Hammond organ, celeste, DX7
David Weinstein – Mirage sampling keyboards, celeste
Guy Klucevsek – accordion
Bob James – tapes
Christian Marclay – turntables
Bobby Previte – percussion
John Zorn – prompter
Recorded at Radio City Studios, New York City on May 9, 1986
Disc two (Live Version)
J.A. Deane – trombone synthesizer, electronics
Bill Frisell – guitar
Elliott Sharp – doubleneck guitar/bass, voice
Anthony Coleman – piano, pipe organ, Yamaha organ
Wayne Horvitz – piano, DX7
David Weinstein – Mirage sampling keyboards
Guy Klucevsek – accordion
Bob James – tapes
Christian Marclay – turntables
Bobby Previte – drum machine
John Zorn – prompter
Recorded live at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on October 21, 1985
References
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Simulacrum
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The Painted Bird
49 Acts Of Unspeakable Depravity In The Abominable Life And Times Of Gilles De Rais
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Baphomet
Chaos Magick
Nostradamus: The Death of Satan
Tributes and Inspirations Gnostic Trio Collaborations