John Zorn Masada Guitars CD

It is not overstatement to say that any project associated with John Zorn's Masada ensemble, an acoustic jazz quartet that marries Klezmer themes to free-jazz adventurousness, is worth hearing, and will most likely be excellent. This is certainly the case with this album of solo guitar performances of Zorn's Masada compositions. The pieces showcase the virtuoso skills of three of modern music's most individual six-string talents: Bill Frisell, Tim Sparks, and Marc Ribot, each of whom take turns offering meticulous, passionate readings of Zorn's charts.

Interestingly, there are few of the "outside" tendencies that characterize both the Masada quartet and the trademark styles of the guitarists. Ribot's jagged skronk and Frisell's familiar shower of guitar effects, for example, are few and far between (Frisell's fragmented electronics romp on "Katzatz" is an exception). Instead, the presentation is largely acoustic and remarkably straightforward, with each performance approximating the precision and studied grace of a classical recital. Nearly every track is superb, with Sparks's dizzying metrics on "Ravayah" and Frisell's exquisitely delicate "Elilah" among the highlights. Apart from the stunning musicianship, one has to marvel at the force and sophistication of Zorn's writing. This unique and gorgeous music should appeal to a wide range of listeners.

Composer: John Zorn.

Personnel: Marc Ribot, Tim Sparks, Bill Frisell (guitar).

Arrangers: Bill Frisell; Marc Ribot; Tim Sparks.