''Labyrinths'' is a solo album by American jazz pianist
Marilyn Crispell
Marilyn Crispell (born March 30, 1947) is an American jazz pianist and composer. Scott Yanow described her as "a powerful player... who has her own way of using space... She is near the top of her field." Jon Pareles of The New York Times wrot ...
which was recorded live at the 1987 edition of the
Festival International de Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville
The Festival International de Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville is an annual international music festival held in Victoriaville, Quebec that showcases contemporary music.
The festival is known for its small scale (usually no more than 20 performan ...
and released on the Canadian Victo label.
[Marilyn Crispell Sessionography by Rick Lopez](_blank)
/ref> The CD edition adds a bonus track.
Reception
In his review for AllMusic
AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...
, Stephen Cook states "''Labyrinths'' finds avant garde jazz pianist Marilyn Crispell balancing Cecil Taylor
Cecil Percival Taylor (March 25, 1929April 5, 2018) was an American pianist and poet.
Taylor was classically trained and was one of the pioneers of free jazz. His music is characterized by an energetic, physical approach, resulting in complex ...
's cataclysmic and staunchly free piano style with her own melodic and spacious take on free improvisation."
'' The Penguin Guide to Jazz'' says that "What she creates here is logically formed, expressively coherent and quietly perfect. This is one or her best records of the '80s and certainly one of the best of the solo recordings."
Track listing
All compositions by Marilyn Crispell except where noted.
# "Threads in the Ozone" – 11:57
# "Still Womb of Light (for Ann Sheldon)" – 7:50
# " You Don't Know What Love Is" (Don Raye
Don Raye (born Donald MacRae Wilhoite Jr., March 16, 1909 – January 29, 1985) was an American songwriter, best known for his songs for The Andrews Sisters such as "Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar", " The House of Blue Lights", "Just for a Thr ...
, Gene de Paul
Gene Vincent de Paul (June 17, 1919 – February 27, 1988) was an American pianist, composer and songwriter.
Biography
Born in New York City, he served in the United States Army during World War II. He was married to Billye Louise Files (Novem ...
) – 4:45
# "Labyrinths" – 6:55
# "Lazy Bird
Lazy Bird is a musical composition by John Coltrane, first appearing on his 1958 album '' Blue Train''.
Its name is most likely a play on the title of the Tadd Dameron composition " Lady Bird": Coltrane biographer Lewis Porter has proposed a harm ...
" ( John Coltrane) – 3:40
# "After the Rain" (John Coltrane) – 9:10
# "Au Chanteur Qui Danse (for Cecil Taylor)" – 8:35
# "Encore" – 2:30
# " Over the Rainbow" (Harold Arlen
Harold Arlen (born Hyman Arluck; February 15, 1905 – April 23, 1986) was an American composer of popular music, who composed over 500 songs, a number of which have become known worldwide. In addition to composing the songs for the 1939 film ...
) – 2:00
Note
*Track 1 does not appear on original LP.
Personnel
*Marilyn Crispell
Marilyn Crispell (born March 30, 1947) is an American jazz pianist and composer. Scott Yanow described her as "a powerful player... who has her own way of using space... She is near the top of her field." Jon Pareles of The New York Times wrot ...
– piano
The piano is a stringed keyboard instrument in which the strings are struck by wooden hammers that are coated with a softer material (modern hammers are covered with dense wool felt; some early pianos used leather). It is played using a keyboa ...
References
{{reflist
1988 live albums
Marilyn Crispell live albums
Solo piano jazz albums