Description
Derek Bailey, George Lewis, John Zorn – Yankees – Compact Disc
Released in 1983, Yankees is a groundbreaking free improvisation album featuring Derek Bailey (guitar), George Lewis (trombone), and John Zorn (alto saxophone, clarinet, and game calls). The record is a stunning example of avant-garde jazz and European free improvisation, blending the distinct, unconventional styles of its three performers into a chaotic yet fascinating sonic experience. Recorded in New York City, the album’s title and cover—featuring a distorted image of a baseball player—playfully reference American culture, though the music itself is far removed from anything resembling traditional jazz or popular music.
Musically, Yankees is completely spontaneous and unpredictable, with no structured compositions or predetermined themes. Derek Bailey, a pioneer of free improvisation, contributes his signature jagged, non-linear guitar playing, filled with plucked harmonics, detuned notes, and disjointed phrasing. George Lewis, a key figure in the AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians), uses the trombone in an unconventional, often textural manner, shifting between bursts of melody, extended techniques, and guttural sounds. John Zorn, known for his use of “game pieces” and experimental saxophone playing, adds an element of absurdity and unpredictability, incorporating squawks, screeches, and animal-like calls using not just his saxophone but also clarinets and game calls.
Tracks like “City City City” and “Who’s on First?” (a clear nod to Abbott and Costello’s famous comedy routine) highlight the playful yet disorienting interplay between the three musicians, who seem to be engaged in a sonic conversation where language breaks down into pure sound. Instead of conventional solos or rhythmic patterns, the album thrives on instinctual reactions, extended silences, and spontaneous bursts of energy, making it a thrilling yet challenging listen.
While Yankees is not for the faint of heart, it stands as an important document of free improvisation and experimental jazz, highlighting the meeting of European and American avant-garde traditions. Fans of Derek Bailey’s abstract guitar work, George Lewis’ exploratory trombone techniques, or John Zorn’s fearless experimentation will find this album to be a fascinating, if at times confounding, experience.
Original release 1982
Made In Holland
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic seal
Track Listing
City City City
The Legend Of Enos Slaughter
Who’s On First
On Golden Pond
The Warning Track
