Cobra is a double album featuring a live and studio performance of John Zorn's improvisational game piece, Cobra recorded in 1985 and 1986 and released on the Hathut label in 1987. Subsequent recordings of the piece were released on Knitting Factory (John Zorn's Cobra: Live at the Knitting Factory (1992)), Avant (John Zorn's Cobra: Tokyo Operations '94 (1994)) and Zorn's own label Tzadik Records, (Cobra: John Zorn's Game Pieces Volume 2)) in 2002.
Reception AllMusic contains two disparate reviews of the album. The first, by Brian Olewnick, stated that "one is left with the nagging (and correct) sense of something crucial being missed. As a document in Zorn's career, Cobra is essential. As a purely musical experience, it is, quite unfortunately, less so".Olewnick, B. AllMusic Review accessed July 22, 2011
The review by Steve Loewy of the 2002 CD reissue called Cobra "a masterpiece of eclecticism... all presented in Zorn's wickedly demented style, which tends toward pastiche but fascinates with its energy and variety. For Zorn enthusiasts, this is a must-have release."Loewy, S. AllMusic Review accessed July 22, 2011
Track listing Disc one (Studio Version)
Disc two (Live Version)
All compositions by John Zorn
Note: Disc one: 1, 9, 11, 13, 14 and Disc two: 3 are extra tracks not available on the original vinyl edition.
Personnel Disc one (Studio Version) Jim Staley – trombone Carol Emanuel – harp Zeena Parkins – harp Bill Frisell – guitar Elliott Sharp – doubleneck guitar/bass, soprano, voice Arto Lindsay – guitar, voice Anthony Coleman – piano, harpsichord, celeste, Yamaha organ Wayne Horvitz – piano, Hammond organ, celeste, DX7 David Weinstein – Mirage sampling keyboards, celeste Guy Klucevsek – accordion Bob James – tapes Christian Marclay – turntables Bobby Previte – percussion John Zorn – prompter Recorded at Radio City Studios, New York City on May 9, 1986 Disc two (Live Version) J.A. Deane – trombone synthesizer, electronics Bill Frisell – guitar Elliott Sharp – doubleneck guitar/bass, voice Anthony Coleman – piano, pipe organ, Yamaha organ Wayne Horvitz – piano, DX7 David Weinstein – Mirage sampling keyboards Guy Klucevsek – accordion Bob James – tapes Christian Marclay – turntables Bobby Previte – drum machine John Zorn – prompter Recorded live at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on October 21, 1985 by WRPI
References