john zorn's masada live at the barbican on 20/7/03

Unfortunately didn't see entire set as I'd made a previous arrangement to see Matthew Herbert Big Band who were on simultaneously. In retrospect this was a mistake as I was enjoying Masada a lot and I did not hear enough of Herbert to really get the flavour of his music. First time I've seen Zorn or Masada, not quite what I expected (more like avant-rock and less like free-jazz than anticipated) but a completely exhilarating 45 mins or so.

FUCKING RAWK!

zorn came in wearing combat trousers. looking in his mid-30s (turned 50 this year).

Electric masada?! well, only mark ribot and the bass player were 'plugged in' so electrified it is.

If dave douglas was the link in masada, then as far as this sextet is concerned, ribot does this job but I looked at it as two triplets. Ribot, bass player and drummer as the section supplying rock with funny time signatures (da prog!) and then zorn, percussionist cyro baptista and the keyboard player supplying the 'jazz'.

All those lovely tunes that masada had were unrecognisable with these new arrangements. The variety of things they played was delightful. From 'cartoon' music to melancholic momnets driven by the organ.

The absurdities from baptista's kit, Ribot WAS IN DEMONIC FORM supplying solos riffage and yet grace too, when required and then there was zorn, conducting, directing play (the fourth piece was where he'd point at someone, they'd play something then he'd switch to someone else and so on, baptista missed his cue once/twice but it was virtually flawless and the piece was such a car crash that it didn't matter). He wasn't playing the sax, he was making noises, squealing, taking the tube out of it and make duck noises. In this context that was appopriate. And then he'd just watch at times, like the rest of us, smiling like a lunatic when ribot would do a solo. he loved it, so did i.

anyone else go?

I think this is equivalent to saying, "Zorn came in." (Every time I've ever seen him he's been wearing combat trousers - or camoflauge pants, as we yanks would say.)

yeah i think so (lost the programme dammit).

this is the first time I've seen zorn so I didn't really know he usually wears combat trousers (or camouflage pants, as the yanks would say ;)).

Zorn definitely has some weird thing about the camo pants. Not only does he always wear them on-stage, but the few times that I've seen him on the street, he's been wearing them as well. It's like he doesn't want to be bothered to think about what to wear.

The combat trousers thing is quite something esp when you see the guy smiling and nodding along to a great solo by someone in his group (as he did several times that night). its pretty funny.

x-post: if i find it I'll report back here.