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Paul Shapiro: Shofarot Verses
by Alberto Bazzurro
Nel nome dello shofar, strumento-simbolo della musica ebraica che compare in copertina intrecciato a un sax alto, si svolge questo album, che parte con un monologo di Paul Shapiro e va poi a impantanarsi piuttosto velocemente nelle secche di una musica che rispetta sì i canoni del filone di appartenenza, ma lo fa con fin troppa convinzione (e dedizione), ripetendosi generosamente, all'interno del singolo pezzo così come fra brano e brano.È evidente che si tratta di una musica ...
Continue ReadingPaul Shapiro: Shofarot Verses
by Eyal Hareuveni
Saxophonist Paul Shapiro is one of the few who succeeded in blending organic soul and R&B with the Jewish tradition--the musical one and the liturgical texts--in a highly original, convincing manner. His fourth album for John Zorn's Tzadik label Radical Jewish Culture series enriches his unique and personal art. Shofarot Verses is part of the service recited on the Jewish New Year, referring to the biblical story of a conversation between “the eternal" and Moses, when ...
Continue ReadingPaul Shapiro's Ribs and Brisket Revue: Essen
by AAJ Italy Staff
Essen. Come il titolo di una canzone-menù yiddish sulle Catskills Mountains. Ma anche Essen come “mangiare" in tedesco. “Dimmi cosa mangi e ti dirò chi sei", disse nel 1825 Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, e questa sua famosa frase spicca sul retro della copertina dell'album. Il cibo come espressione di una cultura. Il cibo come primo punto di contatto con una cultura estranea. Il cibo, insieme naturalmente al suono della lingua ed alla musica. Così accadeva, nelle strade di New York, nei ...
Continue ReadingPaul Shapiro: Swinging the Mundane with the Holy
by Eyal Hareuveni
Reed man Paul Shapiro is one of the most resourceful and versatile musicians in the vibrant New York scene. In addition to his work in the jazz world, with Phillip Johnston's Microscopic Septet and forward-thinking improvisers such as Julius Hemphill and Elliot Sharp, Shapiro is a founding member of the international musicians' cooperative, Brooklyn Funk Essentials. He has played and recorded with a wide range of artists, including pop icons such as Michael and Janet Jackson and Mariah ...
Continue ReadingPaul Shapiro's Ribs and Brisket Revue: Essen
by Eyal Hareuveni
Reed man Paul Shapiro is one of the most resourceful and versatile musicians in the vibrant New York scene. In addition to his work in the jazz world, with Phillip Johnston's Microscopic Septet and forward-thinking improvisers such as Julius Hemphill and Elliot Sharp, Shapiro is a founding member of the international musicians' cooperative, Brooklyn Funk Essentials. He has played and recorded with a wide range of artists, including pop icons such as Michael and Janet Jackson and Mariah ...
Continue ReadingPaul Shapiro: It's in the Twilight
by Sean Patrick Fitzell
Day's slide into night, the work week's conclusion, and prayers of the Jewish Shabbat inspired saxophonist Paul Shapiro's compositions and arrangements for It's in the Twilight. It is celebratory music, imbued with optimism for change arising at these temporal transformations, a musical salve for these troubled times.
Inviting melodic heads develop from Shapiro, combining with fellow tenor saxophonist Peter Apfelbaum and trumpeter Steven Bernstein. The three play tight unison lines and punchy horn pops, exploring the Jewish scales. The catchy ...
Continue ReadingPaul Shapiro: It's In The Twilight
by Nic Jones
If this is an example of radical Jewish culture, as Tzadik bills it, then a whole lot of Gentiles would be doing themselves an enormous favour if they tapped into it. Listeners of all cultures from around the world are familiar with the idea of the “keeper," meaning an item that will find a permanent home on their shelves, as opposed to landing in the racks of the local second-hand store, and I knew this title was a keeper by ...
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