Tim Berne's Fractured Fairy Tales

• Artist: Tim Berne
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1989 06
• Total Time: 55:05
• Type: Instrumental
• Genre: Jazz

Review

Tim Berne's music on his CD sometimes looks a little toward Anthony Braxton's free bop lines but also incorporates some electronics, unusual instrumental textures and some just plain weird sounds. Among the miscellaneous instruments listed are Mark Dresser's giffus and bungy, Herb Robertson's Laryngeal crowbar and Joey Baron's shacktronics; obviously these performances are not devoid of humor. The "medley" of "Hong Kong Sad Song" and "More Coffee" features Robertson's passionate wa-wa trumpet over exotic rhythms and Tim Berne on a staccotoish alto solo. "Now Then" recalls the original Chico Hamilton Quintet. The first half of "The Telex Blues" is a good joke with a distorted nonsensical voice almost drowned out by feedback (as if it were a long distance call that did not quite connect) although the performance does go on too long. An episodic "SEP" and the 19-minute multi-sectioned "Evolution Of A Pearl" (which ranges from sound explorations to avant-funk) wrap up this esoteric yet listenable set. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Now Then	Tim Berne, Mark Dresser	Tim Berne	(3:16)
Sep	Tim Berne	Tim Berne	(8:10)
Hong Kong Sad Song/More Coffee	Tim Berne	Tim Berne	(11:41)
Evolution of a Pearl, Pts. 1 & 2	Tim Berne	Tim Berne	(19:36)
Lightnin' Bug Bouté	Tim Berne	Tim Berne	(:42)
The Telex Blues	Tim Berne	Tim Berne	(11:37)

Credits

Mark Dresser (Sound Effects), Mark Dresser (Double Bass), Tim Berne (Digital Mixing), Stefan F. Winter (Producer), Herb Robertson (Flugelhorn), Joey Baron (CZ-101), Hank Roberts (Electric Cello), Tim Berne (Vocals), UE Nastasi (Assistant), James Farber (Engineer), Hank Roberts (Cello), Herb Robertson (Trumpet), Joey Baron (Drums), Tim Berne (Sax (Alto)), Herb Robertson (Cornet), Herb Robertson (?), Adrian VonRipka (Mastering Engineer), Mark Feldman (Violin), Joey Baron (?), Günter Mattei (Design), Hank Roberts (?), Mark Dresser (Contrabass), Hank Roberts (Vocals), Herb Robertson (Trumpet (Pocket)), Tim Berne (Producer), Mark Dresser (Giffus), Mark Dresser (Bass)