Conference of the Birds

Amazon.com
In the early '70s, bassist Dave Holland and drummer Barry Altschul had a well-deserved reputation as the most fluently creative rhythm section in free jazz. Two of the groups they worked with regularly were those of Sam Rivers and Anthony Braxton. It was Holland's inspiration to pair the two in this 1972 quartet, when Rivers and Braxton represented two distinct generations of the avant-garde, the former generating explosive, driven tenor lines filled with honks and cries and the latter creating oblique postmodern solos on a variety of reeds. It was a brilliant idea, and the results are one of the essential jazz recordings of the'70s. Holland's compositions include boppish, Ornette-inspired lines and strong melodies that provide cool and varied frames for improvisation. That Rivers and Braxton are among the finest flutists in jazz is just one of the treats, while Holland is one of the great bassists. Altschul's scintillating drumming completes a quartet with some of the quickest reflexes in improvised music. --Stuart Broomer

Tracks:

Four Winds
Q. And A.
Conference Of The Birds
Interception
Now Here
See-Saw

Amazon.com

In the early '70s, bassist Dave Holland and drummer Barry Altschul had a well-deserved reputation as the most fluently creative rhythm section in free jazz. Two of the groups they worked with regularly were those of Sam Rivers and Anthony Braxton. It was Holland's inspiration to pair the two in this 1972 quartet, when Rivers and Braxton represented two distinct generations of the avant-garde, the former generating explosive, driven tenor lines filled with honks and cries and the latter creating oblique postmodern solos on a variety of reeds. It was a brilliant idea, and the results are one of the essential jazz recordings of the'70s. Holland's compositions include boppish, Ornette-inspired lines and strong melodies that provide cool and varied frames for improvisation. That Rivers and Braxton are among the finest flutists in jazz is just one of the treats, while Holland is one of the great bassists. Altschul's scintillating drumming completes a quartet with some of the quickest reflexes in improvised music. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

for the birds.......2007-04-09

seeing the names anthony braxton and sam rivers, this recording turned out to be not what i expected, breakneck playing, some screeching, screaming sax, with some atonality and those abstract sketches by anthony braxton. the track, interception, comes close to what i had in mind, breakneck playing and some screeching. otherwise, there are the differences, pleasurable and surprising, four winds and see-saw both appear blues inspired sax pieces. listening to the flutes on q&a, that track sounds a lot like a conference of birds, whereas the track, conference of the birds, with the stately bass sounds like a piece commissioned by a european royality in the early 18th century. now here (nowhere) sounds like it could had been written by anthony braxton.

not what i expected, but very enjoyable.

Spellbound.......2006-04-05

I can go years without hearing this, then play it and it still sounds as refreshing and energetic as when it was recorded. Redefines the term "timeless masterpiece" and it's probably the greatest fusion of bop/avant garde in the history of jazz music with a couple of fine ballad type/pastoral pieces thrown in the mix.I can't imagine a jazz collection without it.

One of greatest jazz recordings of all time.......2004-07-15

On my list of ten recordings I will try to take with me when I take that big step into who-knows-where. It is that good. And it is hard to believe that it was recorded 30 years ago. Great cover art too.

Swinging Free Jazz.......2003-05-25

I think this album is one of the great documents of free jazz. For anyone curious about the style, it's an ideal starting point--Holland's compositions nicely balance structure and freedom, and he and Barry Altschul are one of the most swinging rhythm sections in any jazz style. Added bonuses are horn players Sam Rivers, a sadly underrecorded master, and Anthony Braxton, playing a lot more accessibly and approachably than he sometimes sounds on his own albums. This album is more "out" than some of Holland's more recent recordings, but I still think it's his most challenging and original statement.

What more could we ask for ?.......2002-04-28

When I saw a CD featuring Sam Rivers with Anthony Braxton - two of my favorite people in all music - with the great Dave Holland and Barry Altchull - I knew it was going to be phenomenal. I was not disappointed.
Holland is an awesome bass player as well as a creative composer. His compositions are both far out and highly structured. This is a perfect setting for Braxton - the master of structure and restructure, and for Rivers - an amazing soloist and a great composer himself.
It is interesting to hear some of Holland's European background in these compositions - especially in the title track. They do not dominate the music - but they exist and add something to the overall sound.
There is great variety in the music here. If you like "Energy Playing" - you have it spread across the cd - See Saw, Q&A, Interception. If you want collective improvization - it is happening throughout. If you want subtle sounds and forms - you got it in abundance - in the title track, in Nowhere (Now here.
I believe the playing of the horn players on this CD should provide inspiration for all creative musicians - as an example of controlled freedom, expression and technical skill.
Holland's great ability to mix different forms of expression in a beautiful way is a dominant feature in this CD. Another feature is Altchull - who as a drummer has a lot to say in the direction the compositions are taking - and shares the credit for the final result.
I recommend this CD to people who want creative music, expressive and controlled, and performed brilliantly by some of the leading musicians in the so called "Avantgarde" movement.

Average customer rating:

Sophomore Slump? Hardly.
A slight sophomore slump, but by no means bad.
"And Lighten Pon Day..."
Excellent.
They took it down a notch. Actually, more like two or three notches.

Conference of the Birds
Om
Manufacturer: Holy Mountain
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000EQ5QI6
Release Date: 2006-04-25

Tracks:

At Giza
Flight of the Edge

Customer Reviews:

Sophomore Slump? Hardly........2006-06-25

As far as I'm concerned, this album is fantastic. The songwriting and production is light years beyond their last effort. "At Giza" is beautiful and moving, one of the greatest stoner jams I've heard in years. "Flight of the Eagle" takes all the best parts of their last album and mixes to a fine boil.

One point I think should be made: Previous reviewers have complained about the album being short, only 33 minutes long. Since when does an album have to be 50 minutes long to count as an LP and not an EP? The Stooges' "Funhouse" clocks in at 36 minutes and Slayer's "Reign in Blood" is only 34 minutes long, yet both are classic albums. "Conference of the Birds" is just as long as it needs to be. Cisneros and Haikus show just how talented they are with this lucid dream of an album.

A slight sophomore slump, but by no means bad........2006-06-19

When I heard that Om were to be releasing a new album in April 2006, I was just as excited when I heard about their first album. Now that the album has come out, I am both pleased and a bit dissapointed with the release.

The music itself is by no means bad. The album begins with the track "At Giza." This is a new approach for Om. A cymbal roll begins this mystical track, and a clean bass procedes for the next 13 minutes. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Here are Al Cisneros and Chris Haikus, rhythym section of one of the heaviest bands of all time, Sleep...and they're doing something so mellow. I loved it. Of course, by the time it reached the 13 minute mark, the song comes crashing in with the fuzz bass Om is so known for, and that's all good in my book.

The next track (and sadly, last) is a piece called "Flight of the Eagle." Not much can be said about this one if you've heard Variations on a Theme. It pretty much continues in that vein, albeit with better production and a crushing performance.

So, what's the complaint? THE ALBUM'S A FREAKING E.P.! Seriously, what makes 33 minutes of music an album? Had both songs been about 20 minutes longer, then I would've been fine. They could've easily put one or two more songs on here, and it would've gotten a perfect five. Oh well. For fans of (you guessed it) Sleep, this is a perfect buy.

"And Lighten Pon Day...".......2006-05-03

Conference of The Birds makes for an apropos soundtrack of apogee and reverence. A clarion call sounding for rebirth ...seductive, liberating, a prayer framed within apocalyptic atmosphere. A brooding lullaby for the sun underscored with allusions to solar-object omens and seraphim arrivals. Respective to our time, the birds are - as is Om's sound - metaphors for the soul seeking transcendental freedom and ethereal resonance.

In terms of head music, drummer Chris Hakius and bassist/vocalist Al Cisneros, the bong-ripping rhythm section of long defunct stoner/doom cultists, Sleep, deliver up a majestic sophomore offering of epochal rhythms and meditative mantras. The opener, "At Giza," is a metaphysical groover carried along by hypnotic bass vibes, sparse drum beats, and Al's splendidly stoned-proselyte, chant-like hymn of intoning esoteric references to ancient religiosity and iconography.

Upon completion of the final stanza, Al's sweet Green bass distortion tidal-waves, accompanied by Chris' laying into the ride cymbal's shoulder, creating a swell of "heavy" matched only by its simplistic brilliance. "At Giza" is a moving, deeply felt spiritual odyssey which recalls "Echoes/Pompeii" era Pink Floyd.

"Flight of The Eagle" is more attuned with the material of their debut, Variations On A Theme, replete with fuzzed out doom riffs and staggered drum beats that at first create a sense of nearly falling out of time before taking the scenic way round as Al intones with "To send ..Retainer soalesced a vision boards the skybarge to free-dom" chants to complete the hook. Intrepid wayfarers take heed...

Excellent........2006-04-29

Don't be fooled into thinking that this is -- or should be -- a cliche-ridden "doom" album. Om deliver psychedelic music on the first track, which recalls pre-"Dark Side" Pink Floyd. And then they turn everything way back up on the second track, which recalls both "Dopesmoker" and "Variations on a Theme." This is neither "stoner" nor "doom," nor do I think it's entirely original, but that doesn't mean that it isn't quite good. Another stellar, almost-masterpiece from Om -- a band whose sound will continue to develop and mature. Doom is over. Om have arrived.

They took it down a notch. Actually, more like two or three notches........2006-04-26

The first track is incredibly mellow, by far the most mellow stuff I've ever heard from Cisneros and Hakius. These guys have always put forth an aggressive vibe, but this is very, very laid back. Al's clean, undistorted bass and crooning, chanted vocals accompanied by Chris lightly tapping on his drums. Very groovy, very psychedlic. Not unlike Pink Floyd. I'm hoping it'll grow on me, but I've already listened to it four or five times and I'm just not digging it. It makes me want to shake them by the shoulders and say "Hey guys, wake up. Time to rock." I enjoy lots of mellow and relaxing music, but I come to these guys when I want crushing heaviness. For some reason, I have a feeling that a lot of people will like this track and that I'll be in the minority on this.

The second track sounds like it could have come from Variations on a Theme, though I think it actually has superior production (courtesy of Billy Anderson as usual.) Unlike the previous album, this has dynamics which don't come off like it's missing a guitar track. Both of these tracks sound like bass and drums and vocals painting a complete picture.

Edit: I've been listening to track 2 alone, without listening to track 1 first... and it really helps. Track 2 rules, it's a real improvment over the material on the first album. Is a CD worth buying if it has only one good song? Well, if the CD only contains two songs in the first place and they're each over 15 minutes long, sure, why not?

Average customer rating:

for the birds
Spellbound
One of greatest jazz recordings of all time
Swinging Free Jazz
What more could we ask for ?

Conference of the Birds
Dave Holland Quartet
Manufacturer: Ecm Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Extensions

ASIN: B0000031OW
Release Date: 1994-06-14

Tracks:

Four Winds
Q & A
Conference Of The Birds
Interception
Now Here (Nowhere)
See-Saw

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

for the birds.......2007-04-09

Spellbound.......2006-04-05

One of greatest jazz recordings of all time.......2004-07-15

Swinging Free Jazz.......2003-05-25

What more could we ask for ?.......2002-04-28

Average customer rating:

Deep, pensive and cinematic

Conference of the Birds
Capt. Kowatchi
Manufacturer: Baraka Foundation
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003S4X
Release Date: 1997-10-28

Tracks:

Beyond Kaf's Mountain Peak
Valley Of Detachment
The Story Of The Phoenix
The Mystic Speaks
Valley Of Bewilderment
A Dub Device
Pilgrimage
Fears Veil Dismayed
Journey Home

Customer Reviews:

Deep, pensive and cinematic.......2002-10-05

The title "The Conference Of The Birds" definitely doesn't give any clues as to the nature of the music, but in the end it all makes sense, sort of the way that the insights and memories of past psychedelic trips do---mysteriously, but with the unmistakable flavor of authenticity.

I stumbled upon it while scouring Emusic.com for any and all good (by my special standards) ambient music they had. I don't know who Captain Kowatchi is, but he has a fine imagination. This album builds and swells and meanders through numerous unique musical visio-vistas, nearly all having a pleasantly mysterious desert/tribal feeling to them, perhaps conceived with a North American tribal feel in mind, perhaps not (since I downloaded it from emusic.com I have no accompanying notes and have no idea where the artist is coming from other than what the music tells me). There are also occasional rhythmic aspects calling reggae and Afro-dub styles to mind, but these are well integrated, as are all the style elements at work here, and never dominate at all. This is one of those albums that cannot be fairly categorized (usually a mark of high quality in my world). Maybe it's organic ethno-ambient tribal dub chill abstract experimental slowtrance...

It's worth noting for you also that the tempos throughout this stirring piece of work all stay slow (as is the rule with "true" ambient in my opinion); you won't find galloping triple-digit bpm excursions disturbing the focus here. This is a deep, slow and meaningful---dare I say shamanic---journey through an imaginary desert planetscape, seen through the eyes of the Captain's all-knowing birds. Strap in and enjoy the ride.

Average customer rating:

Saddar Bazaar - 'Conference Of The Birds' (Delerium) 3 1/2 stars

Conference of the Birds
Saddar Bazaar
Manufacturer: Deler
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000081VN
Release Date: 1995-05-30

Customer Reviews:

Saddar Bazaar - 'Conference Of The Birds' (Delerium) 3 1/2 stars.......2007-06-06

Hard-to-find, out-of-print obscure UK psychedelic band. Think they have one other CD out there somewhere. Best track of this entire CD is the tripping "Garden Of Essence", hands down. Other notable cuts include "Sukoon", "Arc Of Ascent II" and the tasty "Freedom Rider". Line-up: Matthew Hyder-guitar&kubing, Shawn Hyder-sitar&percussion, Dave Spencer-tablas&percussion and Terry Banx-keyboards. Might appeal to fans of Zuvuya, Electric Orange and Sons Of Selina.

Average customer rating:

Conference of the Birds
Vocal Summit
Manufacturer: Itm
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00008F8J6
Release Date: 1995-08-01

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