Dating from 1977 Lacrosse contains the first recordings of Zorn’s infamous game pieces. Featuring two all-star groups including guitarists Eugene Chadbourne, Henry Kaiser and Davey Williams, the music here sets the tone for much of what was to come—sharp contrasts, block changes, unusual juxtapositions, instrumental virtuosity and a personal approach to composition, improvisation, sound, silence and color. Previously available in the lavish 7-CD box set The Parachute Years, these seminal recordings are now made available in separate issue.
The complete sessions on two CDs, including a rare alternative version, outtakes, photos, the original and new liner notes and more. Multiple versions of the same piece highlight the versatility of Zorn’s approach to composing for improvisers. These are the recordings that prompted the critics to ask "Just what is John Zorn’s Theatre of Musical Optics and why is it pertinent to these discs?"
