Search - Anthony Braxton :: Willisau Quartet 1991

"If You Build It, They Will Come"

x | USA | 12/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Come on, Hat Hut. This set sells for ridiculous prices second hand. It has been out-of-print for way too long. This 4 CD set features the best recordings of the "classic" 80s/early 90s Braxton quartet with Braxton/Dresser/Crispell/Hemingway. Interestingly, a few of the compositions that this quartet play were also recorded in other versions back in the 70s by Braxton's other classic quartet (Braxton/Altschul/Holland/Wheeler). It is intriguing to compare the similarites and differences between the different versions performed by these incredbile groups. Hat Hut needs to re-release this as soon as possible. They also need to re-release other Braxton gems such as Seven Compositions (Trio) 1989, A Memory Of Vienna, and Charlie Parker Project 1993. Very few people care about avant garde music; however, the few that do are currently paying a ridiculous premium to obtain the Willisau set and other out-of-print recordings. Come on, Hat Hut. Wake up, start the presses, and watch the cash roll in."

Anthony Brxton Willisau Quartet 1991

Veikko Kantaneva | Espoo / Finland | 02/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anthony Brxton Qurtet is FEIBULOS on this records"

All the music you'll ever need

brax520 | Saint John, NB | 11/11/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"WILLISAU is a stunning encapsulation of the musical universe of Anthony Braxton, recorded with what many consider his finest ensemble, consisting of pianist Marilyn Crispell, percussionist Gerry Hemingway, and bassist Mark Dresser. Braxton's music, with its shunning of traditional harmonies and reliance on overlapping melodies (and overlapping compositions!) is definitely not for everyone, and if you're new to his material, you might be advised to start with his more accessible mid-seventies albums (most unavailable on CD, unfortunately). If you want to plunge in headfirst, however, this massive four-disc collection is the perfect place to start."