It's funny... I haven't heard Brotzmann's very latest records, but live, I'd have to say that he is, in fact, still developing. This has a lot to do with age and decreased lungpower... but in Brotzmann's case, it seems to be forcing him into making some interesting adjustments stylistically. It's not that he's stopped blasting, it's just that he's had to incorporate new ideas and approaches which are most apparent in a small band context. This was particularly clear at a show I saw, geez, maybe seven years ago at the Washington Square Church, where he played an Ayler tribute with Thomas Borgman, Borah Bergman and Thurston Moore. Borgman was doing most of the gut-wrenching screaming, and Brotzmann was finding other things to do, some of them approaching lyricism in the same way that Cecil Taylor has begun to do recently. Arguably Brotzmann's increasing use of larger forces in recent years may also have something to do with a slightly diminished personal capacity for maximum voltage, and the compositions that the band plays - not all his, of course - display a variety which would wouldn't necessarily associate with the younger Brotzmann of 'Nipples' and 'Machine Gun' fame. He strikes me as doing something far more senstive and varied than simply blasting on the Die Like a Dog records, as well. Like I said, however, I haven't heard him in a small band setting lately, and perhaps he's fully regained his brontosaurus balls approach. I agree with you about Derek Bailey, however, but then I'm such a fanboy that I'd buy a disc where he was simply reading the London phone book. (Hell, the 'Chats' disc features a track where he's discussing a menu with a waitress, so why not?) 'Ballads' aside, Bailey's greatest element of surprise these days is not so much his style, but his choice of settings and collaborators. And Cecil Taylor may almost always use universal tropes and recognizable leitmotifs, but he scarcely ever fails to surprise in some way, time after time after time. Steve Smith ssmith36@sprynet.com NP - Sonny Sharrock, "Soon," 'Monkey-Pockie-Boo' (BYG Actuel/Sunspots) - talk about brontosaurus balls... -----Original Message----- From: zorn-list-admin@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:zorn-list-admin@mailman.xmission.com]On Behalf Of Arthur Gadney Sent: Friday, June 28, 2002 6:44 PM On the topix of Brotmann, I personally think he is living 90% of his reputation and I would not feel very sad if he stopped making records. Not that all his stuff is bad, but when I listen to "Nipples" for example, I don't have any strong desire to rush out and by "Noise Of Wings". I think some of the old improv guys can still surprise, like Derek Bailey. He is one of the musicians I have must fun following these days. And Han Bennink. And my favorite Evan Parker CD is the one with Jah Wobble, which is certainly *very* different from anything else he has done.