Company 91, Vol. 1

• Artist: Various Artists
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1991
• Type: Avant-garde, Live, Collection (various artists)
• Genre: Avant-Garde

Review

Company Week had been an ongoing project of guitarist Derek Bailey since the early '80s, the idea being to invite musicians from disparate genres, throw them together in totally improvisatory situations, and see what develops. This session from 1991 included Arditti Quartet violinist Alexander Balanescu, John Zorn, and, the wild card of the bunch, guitarist Buckethead (Brian Carroll). The nine musicians perform in various groupings ranging from two to six members and, generally, the music which results falls into what might be termed "standard" free improv, even a bit tentative at times. A certain feeling-out process can be expected to occur in this type of format and a few of the pieces sound overly cautious. On the other hand, when Bailey and Pat Thomas lock horns, it sounds natural, unforced, and enjoyably conversational. Buckethead, who by 2001 had become a member of the MTV-friendly rock band Guns N' Roses, limits his tendency toward showboating in a raucous duo with Zorn and in an often subdued quartet to close out the disc. The track titles consist of the initials of the musicians performing. Overall, a reasonably satisfying if not spectacular disc. ~ Brian Olewnick, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
AB/VM	Alexander Balanescu, Vanessa Mackness	Alexander Balanescu, Vanessa Mackness	(5:48)
YR/AB/DB	Derek Bailey, Alexander Balanescu, Yves Robert	Derek Bailey, Alexander Balanescu, Yves Robert	(10:08)
VM/PL/PR	Paul Lovens, Paul Rogers, Vanessa Mackness	Paul Lovens, Paul Rogers, Vanessa Mackness	(5:25)
PL/PR/DB/YR/AB/VM	Derek Bailey, Paul Lovens, Paul Rogers, Alexander Balanescu, Yves Robert, Vanessa Mackness	Derek Bailey, Paul Lovens, Paul Rogers, Alexander Balanescu, Yves Robert, Vanessa Mackness	(11:20)
PT/DB	Derek Bailey, Pat Thomas	Derek Bailey, Pat Thomas	(10:17)
JZ/BK	Buckethead, John Zorn	Buckethead, John Zorn	(11:02)
DB/BK/JZ/PT	Derek Bailey, Buckethead, John Zorn, Pat Thomas	Derek Bailey, Buckethead, John Zorn, Pat Thomas	(10:51)

Credits

Derek Bailey (Guitar), Derek Bailey (Producer), Paul Lovens (Percussion), Paul Rogers (Bass), Alexander Balanescu (Violin), Buckethead (Guitar), John Hadden (Post Producer), John Zorn (Sax (Alto)), Pat Thomas (Keyboards), Pat Thomas (Electronics), Company 91 (Main Performer), Matt Saunders (Engineer), Karen Brookman (Artwork), Karen Brookman (Design), Yves Robert (Trombone), Vanessa Mackness (Vocals)