Martian Heartache
| Martian Heartache | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1997 | |||
| Recorded | March 5 & 6, 1996 | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 70:43 | |||
| Label | Soul Note | |||
| Producer | Tom Varner | |||
| Tom Varner chronology | ||||
| ||||
Martian Heartache is an album by the American jazz French horn player and composer Tom Varner, recorded in 1996 and released on the Italian Soul Note label.[1]
Reception[edit]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings | [3] |
The AllMusic review by Chris Kelsey stated: "This album is one of the finest manifestations of the experimental impulse in jazz to be heard in some time".[2]
The authors of the Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings awarded the album 4 stars, and commented: "Sculpted with absolute precision but loose and swinging in feel, the music never turns fragmentary or episodic; even the shortest pieces are fully realized, composed and uncluttered."[3]
Glenn Astarita, writing for All About Jazz, called the album "a poignant and multifaceted project," and stated: "Martian Heartache covers lots of territory. It is apparent that this gang was having loads of fun in the process and the entertainment factor rates a perfect 10!... The compositions have staying power and like the proverbial fine wine, get better with age. Highly Recommended!"[4]
Track listing[edit]
- All compositions and arrangements by Tom Varner except as indicated
- "Nuke 'em Tony" – 3:02
- "Keep It Up" – 7:46
- "Martian Affirmation" – 6:08
- "Venus with a Syringe" – 3:45
- "Precarious Dog" – 0:58
- "Isaac Has a Vision on the Subway" – 6:16
- "The Quick and the Dead" – 4:39
- "Send Me a Probe" – 0:50
- "Tough Luck" – 5:44
- "Betsy Says Yes" – 1:18
- "Eva Etc." – 10:09
- "Anxiety All the Time" – 0:40
- "Learn Something!" – 5:30
- "Small Cry Big Laugh" – 11:13
- "Lady Gay" (Traditional) – 3:24
- Recorded at Tedesco Studios in New Jersey on March 5 & 6, 1996
Personnel[edit]
- Tom Varner – French horn
- Ed Jackson – alto saxophone
- Ellery Eskelin – tenor saxophone
- Drew Gress – bass
- Tom Rainey – drums
- Pete McCann – guitar (tracks 2, 5 & 11)
- Dominique Eade – vocals (track 15)
References[edit]
- ^ Tom Varner discography accessed July 15, 2011
- ^ a b Kelsey, C. AllMusic Review accessed July 15, 2011
- ^ a b Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. p. 1441. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.
- ^ Astarita, Glenn (March 1, 1999). "Tom Varner: Martian Heartache". All About Jazz. Retrieved July 12, 2022.