Gnarly Buttons; John's Alleged Book of Dances

by John Adams

Gnarly Buttons; John's Alleged Book of Dances cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 17 April 1998
  • Label: Nonesuch
  • Country: United States
  • Length: 59:49
  • Community rating: 3.38/5 from 2 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

A celebrated pairing of two of the American composer's distinct chamber works. The album features 'Gnarly Buttons', a complex, highly syncopated piece for clarinet and ensemble featuring prominent synthesizer, alongside 'John's Alleged Book of Dances', which brilliantly translates traditional folk dance rhythms into rigorous, post-minimalist string quartet structures.

Genres

Descriptors: acoustic, minimalistic

Tracklist

  1. Adams: John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Judah to Ocean (2:30)
  2. Adams: John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Toot Nipple (1:14)
  3. Adams: John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Dogjam (2:31)
  4. Adams: John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Pavane - She's So Fine (6:32)
  5. Adams: John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Rag the Bone (2:59)
  6. Adams: John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Habanera (4:44)
  7. Adams: John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Stubble Crotchet (2:39)
  8. Adams: John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Hammer and Chisel (1:11)
  9. Adams: John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Alligator Escalator (3:49)
  10. Adams: John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Standchen: The Little Serenade (4:51)
  11. Adams: John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Judah to Ocean (reprise) (2:31)
  12. Adams: Gnarly Buttons: I. The Perilous Shore (9:54)
  13. Adams: Gnarly Buttons: II. Hoe-down (Mad Cow) (5:46)
  14. Adams: Gnarly Buttons: III. Put Your Loving Arms Around Me (8:31)

Credits

  • London Sinfonietta - primary artist
  • Kronos Quartet - primary artist
  • Steve Smith - banjo, mandolin, guitar
  • John Orford - bassoon
  • Christopher Van Kampen - cello
  • Joan Jeanrenaud - cello
  • Michael Collins - clarinet
  • Lynda Houghton - double bass

More from John Adams: full discography