Customer Reviews

Polytown

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had the unique pleasure of being on hand for the birth of this masterpiece. I owned the recording studio (White Crow) where it was recorded in Vermont. In the studio's twelve year life, this project took the cake as the most creative we experienced. (Others included Phish and Alice Cooper) The album was completely conceived in the studio, melodies and rhythms being invented in the lounge over lunch without instruments. When something began to cook, these three mad scientists sprinted into the studio and began putting it down.

Torn's guitar collection for the session was only to be outdone by Bozzio's "drum kit" which arrived in a 24-foot truck and took up most of the main studio. Among other things, Bozzio set up two octaves of roto toms so that he could trade melodies with Torn. That's the level these guys were operating on.

Polytown continues to be one of my favorite recordings.

What happens when you take Zappa alum Terry Bozzio, former Japan bassist Mick Karn, and avante-god David Torn? A wild sonic ride through something that has pieces of jazz, pan-ethnic fusion, and instrumental prowess that few can touch. The compositions are sharp and well produced, with ample space to hear Karns fluid Middle Eastern style fretless work, as well as Bozzio doing some phenomenal orchestration for percussion.

"Polytown" is one of those projects that you sort of hope would evolve into something more-- this trio, guitarist David Torn, bassist Mick Karn, and drummer Terry Bozzio, produced such a superb record of instrumental music that you couldn't help but wish there was a followup, but this is all we got.

And its quite a statement-- the three of them play together fantastically-- not a surprise given they'd worked together extensively-- the music has an improvised feel to it, even in obviously composed passages, the music has a nice looseness and spaciousness to it-- Bozzio in particular seem really open with his playing-- whereas most "rock" drummers (although calling this music that) tend to play themselves into a wall, space is critical on this record-- check out the brilliant "Snail Hair Dune" for a good example of this-- Torn and Karn largely play single note lines while Bozzio implies as well as states.

With this looseness, the album covers a number of sounds and feels-- the playing is superb, and there's really not a bad track on here, but some stand out-- the great "Honey Sweating", with Torn's guitar blasts, the slow, funky "Bandaged by Dreams" (with one of my favorite Karn basslines), percussion driven "Warrior Horsemen of the Spirit Thundering Over Hills of Doubt to a Place of Hope" and the simply brilliant "Red Sleep" all come to mind.

Any fan of either of these three gentlemen will love this album-- its certainly amongst the best work by each of them, but I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys improvised music and great musicianship.

Bloody brilliant. As simple as that. This trio defy gravity

Bought this in search of other material like Bruford Levin's Upper Extremities, and it comes close. Damn close.

Karn's fretless electric bass is Jaco-with-attitude, and Bozzio plays some mighty big drums. All of his heads are damped down so they hit with (to coin a phrase) an "ominous thud." And of course Torn is the guitar that does not sleep.

This is Group 87 brought into the 90's, or King Crimson if Fripp still had integrity. This is music of such ferocity and determination that it might just cause the rest of your collection to whither in shame.

Grapple with it.

While this trio creates a textural jazz-funk stew as compelling as anyone else, the percussive-heavy material begins to feel repetitious over time, perhaps missing a key ingredient to put it over the edge.

I heard the sound samples, and am a big fan of David Torn, but....man I didn't think this was going to be this quality of an album. Everything is good about it. Performance and writing combined to mix a wonderful, playful, yet at times somber tapestry of sound.

All three participants own up to their reputation, and Bozzio (whom I've never been a huge fan of) really does a great job of being creative, yet pinning down the dynamics and tempo.

Bravo!!! - Now I Want Another One!!!!!!!

Very interesting and tight musicianship.3 very skilled musicians weaving
around one another in an interesting collision of fusion,world,and prog
rock. Features one of the greatest bass players in the history of rock.

Take three of the best musicians from the rock world, put 'em together and what do you get? Polytown. This is the ultimate progressive/ambient/rock cd with eastern/arabic melodies, unusual time signatures and world music rhythms. Top notch. Highly recommended.