For Alto
For Alto is a jazz double-LP by composer/multi-reedist Anthony Braxton released on Delmark Records in 1969.[1][2] The tracks on this album are performed by Braxton on alto saxophone, with no additional instrumentation or musicians and no overdubbing.
For Alto | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1969 | |||
Recorded | February 1969 | |||
Genre | Jazz | |||
Length | 72:58 | |||
Label | Delmark Records | |||
Anthony Braxton chronology | ||||
|
Reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
All About Jazz | (favorable)[3] |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Down Beat | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
MusicHound Jazz | 3.5/5[6] |
Penguin Guide to Jazz | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Sputnikmusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The album is recognized as one of the landmarks of free jazz and improvised music. The Allmusic review by Thom Jurek stated "For Alto is one of the greatest solo saxophone records ever made, and maybe one of the greatest recordings ever issued, period".[4] The Penguin Guide to Jazz gives For Alto a four-star rating (of a possible four) along with its "crown" token of merit, and describes it as "one of the genuinely important American recordings. While some landmark performances retain only a mystical aura of their original significance, [For Alto] remains powerfully listenable and endlessly fascinating."[9] On All About Jazz Derek Taylor observed "This is a recording and artistic statement that completely changed the rules. Braxton's gall seemed audacious to some, but revolutionary to far more and the hindsight of history has proven this latter camp correct. His opened the gates for solo improvisatory expression for all players up to the challenge to pass through and in the intervening years many of the giants of improvised music have followed suit".[10]
Track listing
- "Dedicated to Multi-Instrumentalist Jack Gell" – 0:42
- "To Composer John Cage" – 9:30
- "To Artist Murray dePillars" – 4:17
- "To Pianist Cecil Taylor" – 5:18
- "Dedicated to Ann and Peter Allen" – 12:54
- "Dedicated to Susan Axelrod" – 10:24
- "To My Friend Kenny McKenny" – 10:06
- "Dedicated to Multi-Instrumentalist Leroy Jenkins" – 19:47
Personnel
Anthony Braxton - alto saxophone
References
- Anthony Braxton Catalog accessed November 3, 2016
- Filippo, R., Enciclopedia del Jazz: Anthony Braxton accessed November 3, 2016
- Taylor, Derek (September 1, 2000). "Anthony Braxton: For Alto". All About Jazz. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
- Jurek, Thom. For Alto – Review at AllMusic. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
- Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. 1 (4th ed.). MUZE. p. 815. ISBN 0195313739.
- "For Alto". Acclaimed Music. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- Swenson, J., ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. p. 29. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.
- robertsona. [https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/33992/Anthony-Braxton-For-Alto/ Review: For Alto ]. Sputnikmusic. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- Cook, Richard; Brian Morton (2006) [1992]. "Anthony Braxton". The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings. The Penguin Guide to Jazz (8th ed.). New York: Penguin. p. 150. ISBN 0-14-102327-9.
- Taylor, D., All About Jazz Review, September 1, 2000
External links
- Anthony Braxton's For Alto Liner Notes, accessed November 4, 2016