Album Review
Cooper-Moore & Assif Tsahar “tells untold” [Hopscotch]
Thurston Hunger 3/29/2005 CD, Format, Jazz
Tsahar’s Hopscotch label as been delivering pure beauty as of
late, whether en masse with Underground Orchestras or in more
subtle style as with these above-the-clouds duets. While I
remain a charismatic agnostic, it is still hard not to hear
the harp as a heavenly harkening. And there’s something about
the thumb piano, that seems to summon up otherworldly vibes
as well. This release even pipes in a shofar, a ram’s horn
for ancient atonement. But this album doesn’t strictly serve
up its spoils past mortal coils, there’s rootsier-than-the-
holes-in-a-bluesman’s-shoes “diddley-bow” on “Deviations”
and the CD closer as well. It’s a one-string, rubber-band
thing that rumbles and stretches. Or if you want neither
angels nor men, how about computer? While not credited, #8
has Assif spiraling tenor scurries into what sounds like
a bubbling cauldron of circuitry (but possibly a homemade
concoction of Cooper-Moore?’) For as much competing bliss
and brimstone as is found here, this album hangs together
supremely. At once refreshingly relaxing, and gloriously
gnashing. The melody at the end feels like coming home,
the rest of the joys are definitely otherworldly.
you heard it 13 times on kfjc! most recently:
- 590 days ago, Goodwrench played Deviations
- 2835 days ago, Thurston Hunger played Deviations
- 5480 days ago, Zoltan played Tribes Gathering
- 6024 days ago, Shawn Dupree played Tribes Gathering
- 6278 days ago, Groundswell played The Hunt
12345 S. El Monte Road Los Altos Hills, California 94022
Public Inspection File
comments
Cooper-Moore says
TELLS UNTOLD is a story about a community.
There is a leader who has been selected by consensus.
Some young rebels decide they don't like the way the community is being run and plan a mutiny.
There is trechery. The the leader and others are murdered.
The community selects the head of the mutiny as there next leader. They are unknowing of his role in the rebellion.
He marries the daughter of the former leader.
The tune at the end is a celebration of ignorance.
Thanks for the review.
Peace,
Cooper-Moore
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