The Mystery of Compassion
| The Mystery of Compassion | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1992 | |||
| Recorded | March 5, 6 & 7, 1992 | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 44:16 | |||
| Label | Soul Note | |||
| Producer | Bobby Previte | |||
| Tom Varner chronology | ||||
| ||||
The Mystery of Compassion is an album by American jazz French horn player and composer Tom Varner recorded in 1992 and released on the Italian Soul Note label.[1]
Reception[edit]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings | [3] |
The AllMusic review by Brian Olewnick awarded the album 4 stars stating "Varner's ensemble offers up fascinating music that straddles the borders between jazz and an urban mix with a root or two in noir soundtracks, world music, and who knows what else. The Mystery of Compassion is a must for fans of the jazzier edges of the downtown New York scene".[2]
The authors of the Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings awarded the album 4 stars, and wrote: "Varner's alarming juxtapositions make coherent sense without losing their capacity to surprise, and the players involved respond with a passionate intensity which is rare even among these driven musicians."[3]
Track listing[edit]
- All compositions and arrangements by Tom Varner
- "How Does Power Work?" - 9:32
- "Water and Wood" - 5:56
- "Fool's Oasis" - 8:26
- "A Severed Arm" - 1:01
- "The Well" - 13:52
- "Death at the Right Time" - 7:21
- "Control Passion" - 9:53
- "Plunge" - 0:53
- "$1000 Hat" - 14:15
- "Prayer" - 3:20
- Recorded at Baby Monster Studio in New York City on March 5, 6 & 7, 1992
Personnel[edit]
- Tom Varner - French horn
- Matt Darriau (track 6), Ed Jackson (tracks 1-5 & 7-9) - alto saxophone
- Ellery Eskelin (track 6), Rich Rothenberg (tracks 1-9) - tenor saxophone
- Jim Hartog - baritone saxophone (track 6)
- Steve Swell - trombone (tracks 6 & 10)
- Dave Taylor - bass trombone (tracks 6 & 10)
- Mark Feldman - violin (track 5)
- Mike Richmond - bass (tracks 1-9)
- Tom Rainey - drums (tracks 1-9)
References[edit]
- ^ Tom Varner discography accessed July 15, 2011
- ^ a b Olewnick, B. Allmusic Review accessed July 15, 2011
- ^ a b Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. p. 1441. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.