In the late 1950's, Tony Scott was one of the top (and few) bebop clarinetists. Scott made some musical connections in Japan and in 1964 joined with two classical Japanese musicians for a recording. Although Scott was already a seasoned improviser, his collaborators, Shinichi Yuize and Hozan Yamamoto, were not. Inspired by Zen meditation, the group recorded a number of duet improvisations, a solo by Yamamoto and collective piece by all three members.Featuring Tony Scott on clarinet, Shinichi Yuize on koto, and Hozan Yamamoto on shakuhachi, this is a timeless album. The improvisations are genuine and introspective. Each careful pluck and bend of the koto strings on "The Murmuring Sound of the Mountain Stream" sounds like a rain drop hitting the water. Scott's subtle attack and dark, smooth tone make his instrument sound more like the bamboo shakuhachi than a clarinet. This album is recognized as the first ever New Age music.
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ReplyDeleteThanks for reviewing this album. I've listened to this every since my high school days, and I think this is one of the absolutely essential CDs to own, if not for Zen Meditation or to help achieve a peaceful state, but at the very least for wonderful ambience music in the home.
I'd been preparing to write my own review of this CD and was searching the web and found your post. Thanks.
Hey you! I had no idea you had a blog! Happy Thanksgiving to you, too! Let me know if you have any interest in keeping up with us and the kiddos and I'll be happy to start blogging again :) Had no idea you were dropping in on that. We miss you! Maybe we'll get to see you out in Ohio if we visit in the summer again. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Love, Lisa and the gang :)
ReplyDeletethere is a good piece about tony scott in gary giddin's "visions of jazz". he was apparently quite the traveler of the far east, well known as a performer and teacher
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