Customer Reviews

Noise of Trouble

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sonny Sharrock was simply the greatest slide guitarist in the world, and that's that. Here he is in his aptly titled group Last Exit, with German free saxophonist Peter Brotzmann, Ornette's former Prime Time drummer, Ronald Shannon Jackson, and bassist Bill Laswell (who did the mixes on Miles' Panthalassa album). This, along with Live in New York, is Sonny Sharrock's only live album, a masterpiece of the future, showing the guitarist at the height of his powers, blending Led Zeppelin's bluesy, powerful force of movement and John coltrane's free jazz explorations into the unknown. Any crazy Sharrock fan must buy this album.

last exit is probably the best fusion ive heard since miles davis' work of the 70s. this builds on the framework davis created then, but completely taking it to the next level, a goddam firestorm of sound that becomes the saddest blues and the most melodic jazz in a matter of seconds. EVERYONE on this album deserves attention, not just sonny sharrock, though he was probably the most intense guitar player the earth has seen since hendrix's passing. brotzmann, laswell, jackson, and hancock all give incredible performances, esp. on the last song, where herbie's delicate, lilting piano lines are raped and impaled by brotzmann's blistering sax. laswell and jackson also, as they make for one of the most interesting, skilled rhythm sections ive ever heard. i can't praise this album (and this band) enough.

Listening to Noise of Trouble reminds me of MOI Zappa. These guys are masters of free playing and the blues, and spend the album cutting between them

But this is no Zappa disc. The glass shards guitar and gutbucket sax keep this music raw and lean. Not a lot here seems planned: the blues changes are standard twelve bar, not from lack of ability, but to free Last Exit to go anyplace anytime. The album, live, has a New York DIY energy, but trust me, these guys are pros.

Fantatsic free jazz and blues