Xu Feng: John Zorn's Game Pieces Volume 1 is a studio album by American composer John Zorn consisting of game pieces. It features improvisations performed by an ensemble of pairs of musicians using the same instruments: Chris Brown and David Slusser on electronics; Fred Frith and John Schott on guitars; and Dave Lombardo and William Winant on drums and percussion. The album is titled after Xu Feng, a Taiwanese actress featured in many martial arts films who appears on the cover art, a still of Raining in the Mountain (1979).Tzadik catalogue
Reception The Allmusic review by Dean McFarlane awarded the album 4 stars calling it "One of John Zorn's many outstanding works, the composer once again goes above and beyond listeners' expectations. Hearing this astonishing work, it is little wonder that John Zorn is often considered one of the more vital and influential figures in 20th century music".McFarlane, D. Allmusic Review accessed July 29, 2011.
Track listing All compositions by John Zorn.
"The Valiant Ones" - 10:21 "The Fate of Lee Khan" - 9:03 "Legend of the Mountain" - 4:07 "The Assassins" - 2:38 "Dragon Gate Inn" - 5:34 "The Beauty of Yang Hui-chen" - 10:48 "Trouble at Spring Inn" - 6:31 "Hidden Fortress" - 7:55 "Hsia Nü" - 7:41 "Raining in the Mountains" - 5:38 "A Touch of Zen" - 4:11
Personnel John Zorn – composer, conductor Fred Frith – guitars John Schott – guitars Chris Brown – electronics David Slusser – electronics Dave Lombardo – drums, percussion William Winant – drums, percussion
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