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The World of Cecil Taylor

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

The World of Cecil Taylor · This album was recorded in New York in October 1960 for the Candid label. Pianist Cecil Taylor plays on it with saxophonist Archie Shepp, bassist Buell Neidlinger and drummer Denis Charles. Some pieces are improvisations done in a single take, others were assembled from several takes. For the piece Air it took twenty-nine attempts before he was satisfied.

An AllMusic reviewer called it a wonderful document from the early part of his career, when he was caught between arrangements of standards and his own radical experiments. He also heard in it a deep feeling for the blues that always remained, however abstract the music became. DownBeat gave the album four stars and heard a spontaneous form of Third Stream, a blend of jazz and contemporary classical music.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Air and notice the conversation between piano, bass and drums. Try to hear the feeling for the blues beneath the loose sounds all the same.

Track list

  1. 1Air8:45Apple Music ↗
  2. 2This Nearly Was Mine10:56Apple Music ↗
  3. 3Port of Call4:25Apple Music ↗
  4. 4E. B.9:58Apple Music ↗
  5. 5Lazy Afternoon14:53Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

Categories: Albums and songs