Cecil Taylor’s next record: An 80th birthday commemoration.
Duet recordings with Tony Oxley, selected by the musicians from ten hours recorded during their two weeks at New York’s Village Vanguard in 2008.
This deluxe collector’s item will be issued in a very limited, numbered edition—475 copies worldwide—on vinyl LP only.
A 2-disc gatefold set, the record features the cream of the duo's two runs at the Vanguard last year, and includes exclusive original poetry by Cecil Taylor, and paintings by Tony Oxley. The record and its release honor Mr. Taylor’s 80th birthday on March 25, recognizing as well Mr. Oxley’s 70th birthday just before the Vanguard appearances began.
AILANTHUS / ALTISSIMA has been available for pre-paid pre-order since March of 2009. Delivery date will depend on manufacturing (see below) The record is being sold in numbered order. Items #1-50 for direct sale at performances. Items # 65-475 are being offered for internet sale.
$110.00 plus shipping
Dealers’ and other inquiries to boneyard6@earthlink.net
November 2009 update:
Ailanthus / Altissima continues to have a difficult birth. Despite projections that the end date is just around the corner, it seems some weeks off at this writing. The quest for clean and silent vinyl pressing is more involved than expected. While some advance sales were done in Europe in October, those vinyl copies were flawed; the replacement pressing is underway.
Meanwhile, all pre-orders remain secure. Roughly half of the edition is still available for guaranteed pre-payment at the original price, and pre-paid orders will of course enjoy first shipping once the release is ready. Though not presently for sale through Ebay, inquiries and pre-order arrangements can be made via the e-mail address above.
There will also be a follow-up notice here when the records are ready to ship.