- Audio CD (April 28 1998)
- SPARS Code: DDD
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Nonesuch
- ASIN: B000006E4G
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #125,032 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Details |
Track Listings
| 1. John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Judah To Ocean |
| 2. John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Toot Nipple |
| 3. John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Dogjam |
| 4. John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Pavane: She's So Fine |
| 5. John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Rag The Bone |
| 6. John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Habanera |
| 7. John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Stubble Crotchet |
| 8. John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Hammer & Chisel |
| 9. John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Alligator Escalator |
| 10. John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Standchen: The Little Seranade |
| 11. John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Judah To Ocean (Reprise) |
| 12. Gnarly Buttons: The Perilous Shore |
| 13. Gnarly Buttons: Hoe-down (Mad Cow) |
| 14. Gnarly Buttons: Put Your Loving Arms Around Me |
Product Description
From Amazon.com
One of the most important operatic and symphonic composers of his generation, John Adams here gives an intimate look at his musical core through these two large chamber pieces. The 11 pieces of John's Book of Alleged Dances are performed by Kronos Quartet and have a phenomenally heartfelt, countrified feel but always remain strongly and unmistakably the work of a polystylistic string quartet. Gnarly Buttons is Adams's paean to the clarinet, which his father taught him to play. Adams composed the piece for British virtuoso Michael Collins but enlivens its crooks and swerves with a chamber ensemble, mixing a banjo, samplers, double reeds, and brass. Collins plays with warm, woody tones when the dust is low but bursts to higher, sharply keeled notes as the ensemble takes on new passions. It's great to hear Adams again--it seems after a long spell--involved in chamber music. This is fun stuff, without giving an inch on the level of high-caliber execution. -- Andrew Bartlett
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Don't think Adams, think Kronos Quartet,
By Vikingsfan "Vikingsfan" (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Gnarly Buttons (Audio CD)
Some reviewers seem disappointed by this disc, expecting it to be more of the serious Adams of Harmonium, etc. If that's the only style of classical you like, by all means stay away from this release. But if you like the quirkier, livelier pieces on other Kronos Quartet releases like Pieces of Africa or Short Stories, this is right up your alley. The Alleged Dances pieces don't sound all that pop to me--folk-influenced, as a previous reviewer stated, seems more accurate. But the tempos are fast and rhythmic and the melodies are for the most part right out front, so maybe that equals disposable pop music for some listeners, although they sound more like skewed Irish jigs to me. They're very interesting, and have both an immediate appeal and a high replay value because of the complex harmonic structures and rhythms. My only criticism would be the opposite of the earlier commentators: that the folk influences are made a little too academic and needlessly complicated in order to keep the classical "serious music" police happy. I also think Gnarly Buttons (about 25 minutes of the disc) is too goofy--I didn't need to hear the cow mooing in the second movement--and a letdown from the quality of the Dances (which together comprise about 30 minutes). So 4 stars might be a bit high, but it's a far better CD for the right listener than some earlier reviewers suggested. Even half an hour of quality Kronos and Adams is better than most of my CD collection.
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing,
By wehmut (Tübingen) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Gnarly Buttons (Audio CD)
The second disc with works by John Adams I've been listening to, and already I can't help but wonder what has become of him. My first experience with Adams has been Harmonium, a work of breathtaking intensity and uplifting beauty - ten years later, he produces entertaining sections of noise which transport the impressiveness of old in nothing but being impressive examples of the fact that not everything coming out of instruments (or of a cow, for that matter) can actually be considered music.Gnarly Buttons seems to be a little less bad at first, but later on turns out to be just as stereotypical as most of the Dances. If you enjoy pop music performed on classical instruments, mainstream film music or light music in general, you might still enjoy this disc; perhaps your children will like it as well. Yet, bearing the name of John Adams, this is a huge disappointment.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent CD,
By A Customer
This review is from: Gnarly Buttons (Audio CD)
Good heavens, classical music can be fun? Apparently. John Adams, in this recording, has shown that classical music does not have to be the austere serialism we're so used to. And yet, the music is still top-notch. Gnarly Buttons, is a wonderful small ensemble piece, and John's Book of Alleged Dances is for string quartet and foot-controlled sampler. Don't let the funny names mislead you; it's great music and a terrific album
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