Hello, I’m new to this list and only recently have discovered the music of John Zorn and a few other NY downtown musicians, so I’ll be the first to admit that I feel a bit as if I’m just pulling out my crayons while most others here are polishing dissertations. Oh well, I’ll learn. First of all, I love anything that is a challenge. Which is probably one big reason that Zorn’s music catches my attention! Love it or hate it, the music cannot be ignored. For frame of reference, I own The Gift, Masada Guitars, Bar Kokhba, and the first two I bought – Naked City and Radio. I’m interested in hearing your thoughts about the album’s concept. The music heard appears diametrically opposite to the enclosed images (except the blue-toned image of the girl who is either giving or receiving a bolt of energy in her body – I find that image rather intriguing). Maybe I’m completely off-base in my analysis, but I also think that one of the beauties of art and music is interpretation. We each infer what we wish that invokes meaning in our own lives; thus our interpretations are really only opinions with no solid facts to make anyone “right” or “wrong.” Here’s what I think: the music is being conducted by the Pied Piper. Yes, it is “wife friendly” (I just read that term here and had to laugh!) – seemingly soothing and innocuous. There are no loud sax or voice interruptions SCREAMING at us to pay attention. All outwardly appearances of sound alone give the impression of a benevolent, gentle CD to spin by the roaring fire in a log cabin in the company of that special someone. But the clever Piper leads us elsewhere. We start off with a lovely CD cover. Inside, extremely thought-provoking and disturbing images, then we hear what is anticipated by the appearance of the cover. It’s as if the images are sandwiched between the giftwrap of superficial beauty and innocence. Yet, as the CD progresses, those easy sounds almost give hints of something just seems a bit too perfect and an explosion may erupt at any moment. With the song Cutting Stone, I start to get the feeling that the perfect surf world that has been created in previous songs is starting to make waves. Next song – La Flor del Barrio – is so slow that it’s as if Zorn is saying, “Hey, calm down, not to worry...” Then he taunts and slightly jolts us again with Bridge to the Beyond. That’s when I felt the strongest connection to the images and the entire concept was realized. The concept being that behind the unchallenging, almost mind-numbing music that we take for granted everyday lies disturbing facets that one day may seize us and take us prisoner if we don’t keep guard. The CD finishes with a reprise of Makahaa, a gentle tune in which the Piper returns his kidnapped disciples with a warning to remember not to close our eyes to that which we may find disturbing in life. Did anyone have thoughts even remotely similar to these, or are yours completely different? Regardless, I’d really love to hear your thoughts on the concept of the CD. Thanks, Jennifer _________________________________________________________________ Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963