Thomas Chapin Trio - Menagerie Dreams (1995)

AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow

One of the late Thomas Chapin's finest all-round recordings, this set starts out in somewhat startling fashion with screaming by Chapin and John Zorn on altos before settling down into a relatively straight-ahead jam. Zorn is on two selections (including one that includes poetry from Vernon Frazer) but otherwise this is a trio outing, showcasing Chapin on flute, baritone, soprano, and particularly alto while joined by bassist Mario Pavone and drummer Michael Sarin. While there are adventurous and free sections, Chapin also has the opportunity to play the blues (on Thelonious Monk's "Raise Four"), completely rework Duke Ellington's "Daydream" (which is given a Western motif by bassist Pavone), show off the influence of Eric Dolphy, and introduce such intriguing originals as "A Drunken Monkey" and "The Night Hog." Highly recommended.


Tracklist:


01. Bad Birdie (Trio 1) (10:10) (Thomas Chapin)
02. Menagerie Dreams (01:40) (Thomas Chapin)
03. Raise Four (07:00) (Thelonious Monk)
04. The Night Hog (05:45) (Thomas Chapin)
05. Poignant Dream (07:39) (Borah Bergman)
06. A Drunken Monkey (12:48) (Thomas Chapin)
07. Daydream (07:33) (Duke Ellington)
08. Put Your Quarter In And Watch The Chicken Dance (10:46) (Thomas Chapin)
09. Foxwoods Stomp (08:05) (Mario Pavone)

Total length: 01:11:26

Musicians:

THOMAS CHAPIN
alto sax, flute, baritone sax & mezzo-soprano sax

MARIO PAVONE
bass

MICHAEL SARIN
drums, gongs

with special guests

JOHN ZORN
alto sax on "Birdie" and "Chicken"

VERNON FRAZER
poetry on "Chicken" 

Credits:

Produced by Thomas Chapin
Recorded July 1994 at Sorcerer Sound, NYC by Jon Rosenberg
Edited at Current Sounds and at the Knitting Factory , except "Raise Four" recorded live.

(с) ℗ 1995 Knitting Factory Works
Knitting Factory Works KFW 167