Cloud About Mercury

• Artist: David Torn
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1987
• Type: Instrumental
• Genre: Jazz

Review

This 1987 production signifies experimental guitarist David Torn's second and final effort for Germany-based ECM Records. Here, the artist exhibits a sound, style, and methodology that are clearly his own, amid superb support by Bill Bruford (drums), Tony Levin (Chapman Stick/bass), and Mark Isham (trumpets). Torn generates gobs of excitement via his cunningly articulated phraseology, while also incorporating North African and East Indian modal concepts into these power-packed performances, fabricated upon climactic opuses and steamy crescendos. The guitarist's rippling harmonics and off-kilter voicings make for an engaging listening experience, especially when he trades sprightly fours with Isham atop the often-circuitous rhythms. Simply put, Cloud About Mercury looms as one of the finest jazz fusion dates of the '80s, and should be deemed a mandatory purchase for aficionados of this genre. ~ Glenn Astarita, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Suyafhu Skin...., Snapping the Hollow Reed	David Torn	David Torn	(8:21)
The Mercury Grid	David Torn	David Torn	(6:33)
3 Minutes of Pure Entertainment	David Torn	David Torn	(7:10)
Previous Man	David Torn	David Torn	(7:55)
Networks of Sparks: A) Delicate Code	David Torn	David Torn	(4:52)
Networks of Sparks: B) Egg Learns to Walk	David Torn	David Torn	(10:25)

Credits

Mark Isham (Synthesizer), Mark Isham (Trumpet), Mark Isham (Flugelhorn), Mark Isham (Performer), Mark Isham (Piccolo Trumpet), Bill Bruford (Synthesizer), Bill Bruford (Percussion), Bill Bruford (Drums), Bill Bruford (Performer), Bill Bruford (Simmons Drums), Bill Bruford (Synthesizer Drums), David Torn (Guitar (Acoustic)), David Torn (Guitar), David Torn (Guitar (Electric)), David Torn (Main Performer), David Torn (Performer), Manfred Eicher (Producer), Andy Jackson (Engineer), Jan Erik Kongshaug (Engineer), Tony Levin (Synthesizer), Tony Levin (Performer), Tony Levin (Synthesizer Bass), Tony Levin (Chapman Stick), Dieter Rehm (Cover Design), Nick O'Donnell (Assistant Engineer)