Filmworks XXIII: El General

Filmworks XXIII: El General
Soundtrack album by John Zorn
Released February 2008
Recorded October 2007
Genre avant-garde, jazz, classical
Length 49:35
Label Tzadik TZ 7373
Producer John Zorn
John Zorn chronology

The Crucible
(2009)		 Filmworks XXIIII: El General
(2008)		 Alhambra Love Songs
(2009)
Filmworks chronology
Filmworks XXII: The Last Supper
(2008)		 Filmworks XXIII: El General
(2008)		 Filmworks XXIV: The Nobel Prizewinner
(2010)

Filmworks XXIII: El General is a film score by American composer John Zorn for Natalia Almada's documentary El General which depicts Mexican politician Plutarco Elías Calles.[1] It is the twenty-third album of Zorn's Filmworks series.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [2]
Free Jazz Collective [3]

The Allmusic review by Anthony Tognazzini stated "Working with instrumentation that includes accordion, bass, marimba, and guitar, the score folds traditional Mexican folk into an avant-chamber context, creating an evocative soundtrack that is atmospheric and, in keeping with Zorn’s aesthetic, thoroughly creative".[2] All About Jazz reviewer Warren Allen noted "Within these cues, Zorn's distinct and wonderful touch is at work, pulling the different sounds, feelings, colors, etc... into something that exists unto itself, without needing a genre or a film to give it clarity, perspective, and meaning".[4] The Free Jazz Collective stated "It's always a pleasure to hear these four musicians play, and regardless of the subgenre, they usually have something new to bring as they do here. Nice, but not essential".[3]

Track listing

All compositions by John Zorn

No. Title Length
1. "Los Cristeros"   4:26
2. "El General"   4:56
3. "Besos De Sangre"   7:25
4. "Maximato"   2:51
5. "Soviet Mexico"   3:42
6. "Lagrimas Para Ti"   2:58
7. "Mala Suerte"   5:44
8. "Exilio"   3:21
9. "Recuerdos"   2:58
10. "Besos De Sangre (Piano Trio)"   5:45
11. "Exactamente Eso"   5:29

Personnel

References

  1. ↑ "John Zorn: Filmworks XXIII: el General". Tzadik.com. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Tognazzini, A. Allmusic Review accessed November 12, 2013
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Stef The Free Jazz Collective Review, Free Jazz Collective, April 23, 2009
  4. ↑ Allen, W. All About Jazz Review, All About Jazz, May 7, 2009