Filmworks 1986–1990 features the first released film scores of John Zorn. The album was originally released on the Japanese labels Wave and Eva in 1990,[1] on the Nonesuch Records label in 1992, and subsequently re-released on Zorn's own label, Tzadik Records, in 1997 after being out of print for several years.
"For Zorn, filmscores have always been a place to experiment, and the FilmWorks Series is in many ways a microcosm of his prodigious output. This original installment of the FilmWorks Series presents three scores ranging from punk-rockabilly (featuring the nasty guitars of Bob Quine, Bill Frisell and Arto Lindsay); a jazzy Bernard Herrmann fantasy; to a quirky classical/improv/world music amalgam for Raul Ruiz's bizarre film The Golden Boat. Zorn's infamous one-minute arrangement of Morricone's classic The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, is included as a bonus track. This is the place where it all began."
The Allmusic review by Joslyn Layne awarded the album 3 stars stating "Although certainly a younger effort, there is a lot of good music on this first film works compilation. It is interesting to hear where Zorn's scores began".[3] Guy Peters stated "With releases like this, Zorn was basically working outside the jazz-frame and experimenting with avant-garde compositions, but a lot of the music owes so much to jazz that his crossover tactics can be found at full-effect. Like all of his music that is laden with shifts, gimmicks, cut-up techniques and the complete lack of convention, this volume of Filmworks may strike one as too self-conscious and studied (as in the structured improvisation of the game pieces), but it also shows you a fearless musician and composer at work, willing to take risks and not afraid to fail once in a while. It's certainly not an easy listen".[4]
Track listing and liner notes
White and Lazy (1986)Director - Rob Schwebber
"Main Title" – 0:55
"Homecoming" - 1:15
"The Heist" - 3:20
"Meat Dream" - 1:50
"Phone Call" - 0:50
"End Title" - 1:59
Robert Quine - guitar Arto Lindsay - guitar, vocals
Melvin Gibbs - bass Anton Fier - drums
Carol Emanuel - harp
David Weinstein - keyboards
Ned Rothenberg - bass clarinet
Shelley Hirsch - voice John Zorn - alto sax
Marty Ehrlich - tenor sax, clarinet Tom Varner - French horn
Jim Staley - trombone Bill Frisell - guitar
Carol Emanuel - harp Anthony Coleman - piano, organ, celeste, harpsichord Wayne Horvitz - hammond organ, piano, DX7
David Weinstein - mirage, CZ101 keyboards
David Hofstra - bass Naná Vasconcelos - Brazilian percussion Robert Previte - drums, percussion, vibes, timpani, orchestra bells
Recorded and mixed December 1986 at Radio City Studios, New York City by Don Hünerberg.
All music composed, arranged and produced by John Zorn, except 18. "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly", composed by Ennio Morricone, and 16. "The Golden Boat (Turntable Mix)", mixed by David Shae.
All music published by Theatre of Musical Optics (BMI), except 18. published by Unart Music (BMI).
Executive Producer: John Zorn, Associate Producer: Kazunori Sugiyama
Design by Anthony Lee and Tanaka Tomoyo (Karath Razar)
Notes by John Zorn
Special thanks to Akashi Masanori, Kaoru, Azuma, Don Hünerberg, Scott MacAulay, Rob Schwebber, Sheila McLaughlin, Raul Ruiz, Bob Hurwitz and David Breskin.
This recording is made possible in part through funding by Hip's Road.
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