Hallelujah, Anyway: Remembering Tom Cora

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 18, 1999)
• Original Release Date: May 18, 1999
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Tzadik
• ASIN: B00000IWO5
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #401,448 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Cuimhnean Phiobair - Lesli Dalaba, trumpet

2. The Gospel of Gone - Umezu Kazutoki, alto sax, with band

3. Halts - Roof (with Tom Cora)

4. Talking to the Tree - Fred Frith, guitar, and Catherine Jauniaux, voice

5. Saint Dog - Curlew (with Tom Cora)

6. Seafaring - Amy Denio and Jeroen Visser

7. Two-Day 'til Tomorrow - Tom Cora, accordions

8. In Memory Of - GoNoGoNoGo (Samm Bennett and Ito Haruna)

9. Jim - The Ululating Mummies

10. Just a Dream - Shock Exchange (Caroline Kraabel and John Edwards)

See all 39 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. The Flute's Tale

2. Burning Hoop

3. Pitter Panther Patter

4. Tomcat

5. Tom Wood

6. Mr. T.C.

7. Jelly Roll Stomp

8. Fence

9. Vepiranka

10. Intenda

See all 19 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com's Best of 1999

In 1998, cancer took the life of avant-garde cellist Tom Cora, a prolific, genre-crossing musician who never received his due acclaim. On Hallelujah, Anyway, we can hear some of Cora's finest moments and dozens of his musical friends performing works that celebrate the musician's life. Weird, wonderful, and ultimately moving music. --Jason Verlinde

Amazon.com

Over the years, John Zorn's Tzadik label has released dozens of memorable jazz, new music, and experimental releases, but few are as poignant--or beautiful--as this double-CD tribute to the late cellist Tom Cora (Tzadik is donating all the profits to Cora's surviving family). Before succumbing to cancer in 1998, Cora had taken the cello to new heights for two decades, working with Eugene Chadbourne, Zorn, Skeleton Crew, the Ex, and numerous other avant-gardists. His work was challenging, adventurous, and consistently good; his ear as attuned to blues and world music as the downtown NYC jazz scene. And, as this fitting sampler of his music (and his influence on others) attests, he had an impact. The avant-garde world is a generally reserved lot, but this is one collection in which everyone--musicians and friends--put their collective guard down to celebrate Cora through music. Lesli Dalabra opens with a plaintive trumpet solo that sets a somber tone on disc 1, Umezu Kazutoki & Band perform Cora's "The Gospel of Gone" on a busy Tokyo street; Cora's own recordings and collaborations are featured, and the musical contributions of his friends (Kramer, Wayne Horvitz, the Chadbournes, and numerous others) make for stirring eulogies. Remarks from close Cora associates and, most importantly, his own brief writings sprinkle the liner notes. It's a fitting tribute and an unpredictable sampler of some of the most joyous music to ever transcend the boundaries of jazz, world, and classical music. In a word, it's gorgeous. You owe it to yourself to hear this. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome respite from a wall to wall sell, September 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hallelujah, Anyway: Remembering Tom Cora (Audio CD)

What a welcome respite from the garbage the commercial markets want me to give up my money for. A host of artists, wonderful music, variety and a source for continual rediscovery.

4.0 out of 5 stars Overload!, June 6, 2001

By 

Stephen (Virginia Beach, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hallelujah, Anyway: Remembering Tom Cora (Audio CD)

Man, there is so much music, in so many styles and instrumental configurations, that after 5 or 6 months, I still haven't been able to absorb this music. There is some awesome stuff, the Curlew, SKelton Crew and Cora solo pieces come to mind and some music that isn't really my cup o tea (I'm thinking of a couple of the vocal pieces - roof).

Though I only rate this 4 stars, I still think its essential, criminally overlooked music.