SIMULACRUM - THE PAINTED BIRD

John Zorn's discography either as solo artist, band member, composer, performer/collaborator, director or producer is huge. It will take a life time effort to keep up with it, less write about each release under his blessing. This being the fourth CD in a 12-month period by Zorn's new ensemble (including long time accomplice John Medeski).

So, I do consider myself lucky of having acquired this 2016 "The Painted Bird" release in which traditional Jazz structures and modern Jazz improvisations are reconstructed via the heavy metal way. A clash of 3 musical worlds balanced throughly and to experimental perfection without any kind of condescending attitude towards neither of the styles.

A daring and flawless performance full of extremely well crafted details true to the nature of their roots yet always on the look out for unsuspected detours or musical expression options, as usual with the non-mainstream soul of this musician's projects.

Music composition wise its creative proposals go beyond the mere blending of styles, opposite to that it explores deeply into its own "crossover" encounters but never losing its balanced focus or becoming indulgent. It is extremely experimental yet at the same time friendly, in John Zorn's terms of course.

Anyway, serious fun to call it somehow.

****4 PA stars.

The music of John Zorn's umpteenth 2016 album (that's only a slight exaggeration) describes the point of impact where Jazz and Rock not only intersect, but totally obliterate each other in a matter/anti-matter annihilation of sound. If you're looking for one of his more polite neo-classical fusions, be warned: this ain't it.

The album instead presents a near-literal instrumental holocaust, and I don't choose that loaded word lightly. Zorn was (possibly) inspired by the notorious 1965 Jerzy Kosinski novel of the same name, which follows a Jewish orphan in the early days of World War II across "a Bosch-like world of harrowing excess", according to one source. Zorn extends the simile to his album cover illustration, likewise borrowed from Hieronymus Bosch: a detail from his sprawling triptych "The Last Judgement" (center panel, lower right).

Look at the canvas, listen to the music, and you'll discover parallel worlds of metaphysical chaos. The album mixes jazzy vibraphones (by Kenny Wollesen, as usual), grinding Hammond organ (from old pal John Medeski) and distorted electric guitars, with a crazed rhythm section adding drums, more drums, and a battery of congas...no bass guitar, because it wasn't necessary. And if you can't imagine the acoustic vibraphone as an essential tool of Heavy Metal, you obviously aren't familiar with the music of John Zorn.

Even the composer's own Tzadik record label describes it as "insane". Which would of course make it a perfect musical analogue of European history, circa 1940.

This was one of maybe a dozen albums released by Zorn in 2016, each in a different musical idiom (and with different sets of musicians), and none requiring the composer to wear a bucket on his head to get our attention. Over his decades-long career Zorn has done everything from classical chamber music to straight jazz to soundtracks and surf music. But sometimes he apparently just has to let all his demons off their collective tether, and crank up the volume.

4.5 stars. I would describe Zorn's discography as intimidating to say the least. He has hundreds of releases starting in the late seventies right up to today. The only musician I know to surpass him is the prog-related guitarist BUCKETHEAD who started about 15 years later than Zorn, yet has surpassed him by a wide margin. It's laughable to think that anyone could take us on an album by album tour of Zorn's albums. Just to put this in perspective, I own and highly recommend five albums Zorn put out between 2012 and 2017. And that's only 5 of the some 45 studio albums he put out over that period. Surely Zorn and Buckethead have studios in their homes, because they apparently live in the studio.

One of the keys for me for opening the door to Zorn's world was experiencing the Zorn-led band ELECTRIC MASADA. More ethnic sounding than Zorn's "Inferno" from 2015, or 2017's "The Garden Of Earthly Delights", both trios. Or this record which fits in between those two, released in 2016 "The Painted Bird" has the same trio as the other two records, but adds two more percussionists, one playing vibes and the other congas/ voudun drums. And so this one is unique of the three with the vibes added, and they sound incredible. They bring a warmth and tone to an album that is just so powerful at times. When you see an album tagged with brutal prog, hang on to your hat.

I have a top four, and I love the opener "Snakeskin" which is the longest, approaching 8 minutes. This one settles into a groove 1 1/2 minutes in after being led by vibes and some powerful outbursts to start. The guitar and organ are so impressive here. The drumming 3 minutes in needs to be mentioned as well. Track three called "Ravens" continues the quality and heavy outbursts, but "Nettles" is where they ease up with plenty of atmosphere and vibes. I just am so into the "sound" here. "Night" is my final top four. Depth and heaviness. The guitar is on fire after 4 minutes and man it gets heavy after that.

So the little taste that I have taken from this massive discography that Zorn has created has actually made me feel quite content and happy. Before these records, along with "Mount Analogue" from 2012 and "Interpretation Of Dreams" from 2017 I had only experienced "Naked City" from 1990 which left me unimpressed to say the least. I at least have a sweet spot when I comes to Zorn, and I'm more than okay with that.