Garden of Eden (album) explained

Garden of Eden
Type:Album
Artist:Paul Motian
Cover:Garden of Eden (album).jpg
Released:3 February 2006[1]
Recorded:November 2004
Genre:Jazz
Length:56:35
Label:ECM
Producer:Manfred Eicher
Prev Title:I Have the Room Above Her
Prev Year:2004
Next Title:On Broadway Vol. 4 or The Paradox of Continuity
Next Year:2005

Garden of Eden is an album by the Paul Motian Band, consisting of guitarists Ben Monder, Steve Cardenas and Jakob Bro, saxophonists Chris Cheek and Tony Malaby, and bass guitarist Jerome Harris, recorded in November 2004 and released on ECM in February 2006.[2]

Reception

The AllMusic review by Thom Jurek awarded the album 4 stars, stating, "Motian has been on a creative and compositional tear, and has been since the mid-'80s. This set is ambitious, full of humor, charm, warmth, and grace; it sings, whispers, talks, and at times it shouts; ultimately it offers listeners an intimate look at the complexity and beauty in the continually evolving soundworld of an artist who is a true musical giant."[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Paul Motian except as indicated

  1. "Pithecanthropus Erectus" (Charles Mingus) – 7:06
  2. "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" (Mingus) – 4:56
  3. "Etude" – 5:21
  4. "Mesmer" – 4:39
  5. "Mumbo Jumbo" – 3:34
  6. "Desert Dream" (Chris Cheek) – 3:18
  7. "Balata" (Steve Cardenas) – 3:39
  8. "Bill" (Jerome Kern) – 3:04
  9. "Endless" – 3:30
  10. "Prelude 2 Narcissus" – 3:05
  11. "Garden of Eden" – 4:09
  12. "Manhattan Melodrama" – 4:43
  13. "Evidence" (Thelonious Monk) – 3:31
  14. "Cheryl" (Charlie Parker) – 2:00

Personnel

The Paul Motian Band

Note: Guitarists Steve Cardenas and Jakob Bro are heard on the left and right stereo channels, respectively, while guitarist Ben Monder and bassist Jerome Harris are mixed in the center. Saxophonists Tony Malaby and Chris Cheek are, respectively, center left and center right. Motian's drums are heard across the stereo spectrum, whether soloing or supporting the ensemble.[4]

Notes and References

  1. https://www.ecmrecords.com/shop/143038751765 Garden of Eden - Paul Motian Band
  2. http://www.ecmrecords.com/Catalogue/ECM/1900/1917.php ECM Records catalogue
  3. Jurek, T. Allmusic Review accessed August 10, 2011
  4. http://www.ecmrecords.com/Background/Background_1917.php ECM