Film Works VIII: 1997 [SOUNDTRACK]

Greg Cohen (Performer), Erik Friedlander (Performer), John Zorn (Composer), Kenny Wollesen (Performer), Marc Ribot (Performer), Cyro Baptista (Performer), Anthony Coleman (Performer), Mark Feldman (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Greg Cohen, Erik Friedlander, Kenny Wollesen, Marc Ribot, Cyro Baptista, et al.
• Composer: John Zorn
• Audio CD (February 17, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Tzadik
• ASIN: B000003YUP
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #333,951 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The first half of Film Works VIII is devoted to the soundtrack for The Port of Last Resort, a documentary about Jewish refugees escaping Germany in the '30s and emigrating to Shanghai. Much of the music in this section reflects the work on Zorn's Masada discs, except that pipa virtuoso Min Xiao-Fen injects a Chinese undercurrent into the klezmer-tinged jazz. The second half reverberates with an introspective, noncarnivalesque, all-percussion score for the movie Latin Boys Go to Hell. While this might seem like an odd cinematic combination, the cross-pollination on Film Works VIII ultimately produces a successful hybrid collection of world and film music. --Michael Woodring

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Zorn adds another Filmworks!, October 16, 1998

By A Customer

On the Filmworks discs, you can never be sure what you'll find: surf guitar, covers of Ennio Morricone, freejazz, waltzes of death, punk rock, pipe organ stuff... This one is no surprise. There are two halves to this cd. The first accompanies a Jewish documentary and is based on the feel of Masada/Bar Kokhba, with such players as Erik Friedlander on cello, Anthony Coleman on piano and Marc Ribot on guitar. The second half is the soundtrack to Latin Boys Go To Hell, about discovering sexuality. It is all percussion, with Kenny Wollesen and Cyro Baptista. This made more sense after seeing the film, and is evidently a great soundtrack. Check it out!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely..., October 29, 2000

By	Allan MacInnis (Vancouver) - See all my reviews

THE PORT OF LAST RESORT material on this disc is really quite moving; in addition to players from the Masada String Quartet / Bar Kochba project, a Chinese musician playing the traditional pipa is added. The film, I gather, was about Jewish refugees in Shanghai, and the music blends together Jewish and Asian traditions. It's among the most listenable and beautiful material Zorn has released; while I enjoy his quirky and perverse aspects as much as the next Zorn fan, it's nice to have music by him around that is this mature and reflective. The percussive stuff is less interesting, though there are a couple of nice cuts. One of my favorite filmworks discs (along with 1 and 5). Worthwhile.

3.0 out of 5 stars Asia meets Masada and sensual percussion., September 8, 2005

By	Michael Stack (North Chelmsford, MA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

"Filmworks VIII" is the soundtrack for two films-- "Port of Last Resort", a documentary about Jews fleeing Nazi Germany for Shanghai and "Latin Boys Go To Hell", which I confess I have no idea what it is.

For "Port of Last Resort", Zorn hit on the brilliant idea of exploring his Masada songbook with the inclusion of the pipa-- a traditional Asian stringed instrument ably performed by Min Xiao-Fen set against the chamber ensemble setting he'd worked with previously-- in opposition to the pipa is the Masada String Trio (Mark Feldman- violin, Erik Friedlander- cello, and Greg Cohen- bass), guitarist Marc Ribot, and pianist Anthony Coleman in various formations. The music itself borders on absolutely breathtaking at times, although I found the pieces performed exclusively by the trio were a bit lacking in something ("Emunim"), the lovely "Shanghai" (with the Masada String Trio offsetting the pipa) and the pained guitar version of "Ruan" (where its really Feldman who shines) are certainly intriguing.

Zorn sounds a bit bitter in his liner notes concerning "Latin Boys Go To Hell"-- evidentally, the music was largely rejected in favor of rock and disco pieces, which prompted Zorn to ask for his name in the credits to be altered. The music itself ranges from delicate vibes ("Locura") to driving kit drum workouts ("Sangre") and tribal beats ("Mentiras"). All in all, its a fairly interesting and engaging listen.

Together, "Filmworks VIII" is a decent piece-- Zorn has much better soundtrack work, but this is a respectable entry into his catalog.