John Zorn
Filmworks XIX - The Rain Horse

28 B.Z. (Before Zorn), commonly known as 2008. A new cycle of countless records by our prolific favorite, the good old John Zorn, saxophonist, composer, crazy genius, begins.

The previous year, even though he only offered us "just" 3 works (compared to 2006, which boasted eight), left behind some cornerstones of the enormous discography. "Six Litanies For Heliogabalus," a worthy conclusion to the trilogy started with "Moonchild" and "Astronome," has become the new Zornian cult like never before since the days of "Naked City"; a true gem of incisiveness, a healthy face-to-face with the Devil himself. Secondly, although it passed more quietly, I found "From Silence To Sorcery" another gem, especially regarding the first part (Goetia, a piece divided into 8 parts for solo violin - simply insane). Few but good, as they say.

After this preamble, I refer you therefore to Zorn's opening of 2008, namely a new Filmwork, specifically the XIX (2 years after the XVIII). An album that, compared to others, is much more essential, without experimentation or excessive strangeness. "The Rain Horse," another niche film for which only John can find the right sound.

Really simple: bass, cello, and piano. No tone changes, catchy, delicate melodies. An almost relaxing moment, approaching light atmospheres similar to "The Gift" (2001). Light-years away from the noisy and "pattonian" Zorn, an album that flows without problems, accompanied by a spot-on cello, a melancholic and somewhat jazzy piano, an almost inaudible bass.

Not bad, as a start.