Sun, Moon & Stars by Alan Hacker and Tony Coe

07 May

Written by Lee Prosser
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Sun, Moon & Stars is a difficult disc to get a feel for. It is clear from even a cursory listen that Alan Hacker and Tony Coe are talented musicians but the music just does not seem very moving.

Nine of the twenty cuts on this release are traditional songs from around the globe and more than once it sounds like the duo are just giving statements of theme and not really engage with the music. There are a few exceptions to this trend. "L'Homme Arme", which is identified as an early renaissance tune, captures the feel of that time period -or, much more appropriately, the feel of how we perceive that period- but still keeps an edge to it and shows that the two players are pushing things. The Turkish tune "Taksim" accomplishes a similar task without being totally reinvented.

Generally more successful are the three improvised pieces by Coe. His saxophone work displays a love of theatrics but does not get lost or overly excessive. The remaining eight cuts are compositions from composers such as John Cage. There is nothing exception here but close listening will reveal some enjoyable parts -something that is true Sun, Moon & Stars as a whole.

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: Alan Hacker and Tony Coe
CD Title: Sun, Moon & Stars
Genre: World Music
Year Released: 1999
Record Label: ZahZah
Musicians: Alan Hacker (clarinet, soprano saxophone), Tony Coe (clarinet, soprano saxophone)
Label Website: http://www.zahzah.com/
Rating: Five Stars