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For Olim is a live album by Cecil Taylor recorded in Berlin, Germany on April 9, 1986, and released on the Soul Note label. The album features a solo concert performance by Taylor.

According to the liner notes, the word “Olim” is “an Aztec hieroglyph meaning movement, motion, earthquake.”[1] The album is dedicated “to the living Spirit of Jimmy Lyons,” the alto saxophone player who worked with Taylor for roughly 25 years, and who died a little over a month after the recording of the album.[2]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStarHalf star[3]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz RecordingsStarStarStarStar[4]

The Penguin Guide to Jazz selected this album as part of its suggested “Core Collection”, stating that “nothing here does anything but speak directly to the attentive listener.”[4] The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow states: “One of Cecil Taylor’s most satisfying solo concerts, this date features the always uncompromising and adventurous pianist exploring eight of his compositions, including a few that are quite brief (two are under two minutes). The difficult but lyrical live set rewards repeated listenings”.[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Cecil Taylor.
  1. “Olim” – 17:41
  2. “Glossalalia Part Four” – 5:44
  3. “Mirror and Water Gazing” – 4:01
  4. “Living (Dedicated to Julian Beck)” – 6:59
  5. “For the Death” – 1:33
  6. “For the Rabbit” – 3:41
  7. “For the Water Dog” – 1:44
  8. “The Question” – 3:04
    • Recorded in Berlin, Germany on April 9, 1986

Personnel

References

  1. ^ For Olim (liner notes). Cecil Taylor. Soul Note. 1987. SN 1150.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. ^ Kelsey, Chris. “Jimmy Lyons: Biography”. AllMusic. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Yanow, Scott. “Cecil Taylor: For Olim”. AllMusic. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. p. 1381. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.