''Morton's Foot'' is an album by the Lebanese

oud The oud ( ; , ) is a Middle Eastern short-neck lute-type, pear-shaped, fretless stringed instrument (a chordophone in the Hornbostel–Sachs classification of instruments), usually with 11 strings grouped in six courses, but some models have ...

player and composer

Rabih Abou-Khalil Rabih Abou-Khalil (, born August 17, 1957) is an oud player and composer born in Lebanon, who combines elements of Arabic music with jazz, classical music, and other styles. He grew up in Beirut and moved to Munich, Germany, during the Lebanese ...

which was recorded in Germany in 2003 and released on the

Enja Enja Records is a German jazz record company and label based in Munich which was founded by jazz enthusiasts Matthias Winckelmann and Horst Weber in 1971. The label's first release was by Mal Waldron, and early releases included European and Jap ...

label.

Reception

The

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

review by Thom Jurek stated "The band on ''Morton's Foot'' is a truly international ensemble. ... Abou-Khalil's compositions here, as on his other recordings, involve detailed, complex, and labyrinthine melodic structures, though rhythmic invention and harmonic counterpoint add balance and offer tight turns of phrase and dynamic shifts. ... it is the sum of everything here that makes this one of Abou-Khalil's very best outings". In

The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in Manchester in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'' and changed its name in 1959, followed by a move to London. Along with its sister paper, ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardi ...

, John Fordham wrote "Lebanese oud player, flautist and composer Rabih Abou-Khalil is doing what he does best: situating his shapely instrumental virtuosity within the unique ensemble that combines cafe-accordion whimsy, fluid contemporary jazz, Italian-wedding clarinet, New Orleans street-music tuba and a mix of punchy swing".Fordham, J
The Guardian Review
accessed June 6, 2018

All About Jazz ''All About Jazz'' is a website established by Michael Ricci in 1995. A volunteer staff publishes news, album reviews, articles, videos, and listings of concerts and other events having to do with jazz. Ricci maintains a related site, ''Jazz Near ...

said "The international ensemble that performs on ''Morton's Foot'' brings its array of influences together for a freeform improv-rich jam that feels joyful even its most pensive moments ... This is a top pick of 2004, without a doubt" and John Kelman wrote "Abou-Khalil's recordings are never short of completely engrossing, blending his ethnic heritage with spirited and joyous playing in contexts that never cease to surprise. If an artist came out with but one album as good as Morton's Foot, he/she would be assured a place in jazz history; but the truth is Abou-Khalil manages to succeed at this level with almost every release".Kelman, J
All About Jazz Review 2
accessed June 20, 2018 Jim Santella observed "Abou-Khalil covers a wide range with his compositional use of threads that cross cultures. He's included blatant comedy, dramatic intensity, and sensual passion in his structures. The ensemble responds with spontaneous interpretations that flow seamlessly. Abou-Khalil's music holds something for everyone".Santella, J
All About Jazz Review 3
accessed June 20, 2018

Track listing

All compositions by Rabih Abou-Khalil # "Ma Muse M'abuse" – 6:22 # "Morton's Foot" – 8:12 # "Il Ritorno del Languore" – 7:24 # "Lobotomie Mi Baba Lu" – 7:11 # "L'histoire d'un Parapluie" – 6:04 # "O Papaia Balerina" – 6:17 # "Dr. Gieler's Wiener Schnitzel" – 7:16 # "Il Sospiro" – 6:52 # "Hopping Jack" – 7:33 # "Waltz for Dubbya" – 4:07 # "The Return of the Maltese Chicken" – 0:11

Personnel

– oud *

Michel Godard Michel Godard (born October 3, 1960, Héricourt, France) is a French avant-garde jazz and classical musician. He plays tuba and the predecessor of the tuba, a brass instrument known as the serpent. Career At 18, Godard was a member of the Phi ...

– tuba *

Gabriele Mirabassi Gabriele Mirabassi is an Italian jazz clarinetist. Career He was born in Perugia and is a graduate of the Morlacchi Conservatory. His teacher told him avoid playing jazz because it would damage his technique, so at home he learned jazz on the ...

– clarinet *

Luciano Biondini Luciano Biondini is an Italian jazz and folk music accordion player who has appeared on the albums of various musicians, including Gabriele Mirabassi, Fratelli Mancuso, Ivano Fossati, Samo Šalamon and Rabih Abou-Khalil. Discography ;As leader ...

– accordion *Gavino Murgia – vocals *Jarrod Cagwin – drums, frame drums

References

{{Authority control Rabih Abou-Khalil albums 2003 albums Enja Records albums