Xu Feng: John Zorn's Game Pieces Volume 1 is a studio album by American composer John Zorn consisting of game pieces. It features improvisations performed by an ensemble of pairs of musicians using the same instruments: Chris Brown and David Slusser on electronics; Fred Frith and John Schott on guitars; and Dave Lombardo and William Winant on drums and percussion. The album is titled after Xu Feng, a Taiwanese actress featured in many martial arts films who appears on the cover art, a still of Raining in the Mountain (1979).
Contents
Reception
The Allmusic review by Dean McFarlane awarded the album 4 stars calling it "One of John Zorn's many outstanding works, the composer once again goes above and beyond listeners' expectations. Hearing this astonishing work, it is little wonder that John Zorn is often considered one of the more vital and influential figures in 20th century music".
Track listing
All compositions by John Zorn.
"The Valiant Ones" - 10:21
"The Fate of Lee Khan" - 9:03
"Legend of the Mountain" - 4:07
"The Assassins" - 2:38
"Dragon Gate Inn" - 5:34
"The Beauty of Yang Hui-chen" - 10:48
"Trouble at Spring Inn" - 6:31
"Hidden Fortress" - 7:55
"Hsia Nü" - 7:41
"Raining in the Mountains" - 5:38
"A Touch of Zen" - 4:11
Personnel
John Zorn – composer, conductor
Fred Frith – guitars
John Schott – guitars
Chris Brown – electronics
David Slusser – electronics
Dave Lombardo – drums, percussion
William Winant – drums, percussion