Misplaced Pages

For Olim
Live album by Cecil Taylor
Released	1987
Recorded	April 9, 1986
Genre	Free jazz
Length	44:27
Label	Soul Note
Cecil Taylor chronology
Amewa (1986) For Olim (1987) Olu Iwa (1986)

For Olim is a live album by Cecil Taylor recorded in Berlin, Germany on April 9, 1986, and released on the Soul Note label. The album features a solo concert performance by Taylor.

According to the liner notes, the word "Olim" is "an Aztec hieroglyph meaning movement, motion, earthquake." The album is dedicated "to the living Spirit of Jimmy Lyons," the alto saxophone player who worked with Taylor for roughly 25 years, and who died a little over a month after the recording of the album.

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings

The Penguin Guide to Jazz selected this album as part of its suggested "Core Collection", stating that "nothing here does anything but speak directly to the attentive listener." The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow states: "One of Cecil Taylor's most satisfying solo concerts, this date features the always uncompromising and adventurous pianist exploring eight of his compositions, including a few that are quite brief (two are under two minutes). The difficult but lyrical live set rewards repeated listenings".

Track listing

All compositions by Cecil Taylor.

1. "Olim" - 17:41
2. "Glossalalia Part Four" - 5:44
3. "Mirror and Water Gazing" - 4:01
4. "Living (Dedicated to Julian Beck)" - 6:59
5. "For the Death" - 1:33
6. "For the Rabbit" - 3:41
7. "For the Water Dog" - 1:44
8. "The Question" - 3:04

• • Recorded in Berlin, Germany on April 9, 1986

Personnel

• Cecil Taylor: piano

References

1. For Olim (liner notes). Cecil Taylor. Soul Note. 1987. SN 1150.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
2. Kelsey, Chris. "Jimmy Lyons: Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
3. ^ Yanow, Scott. "Cecil Taylor: For Olim". AllMusic. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
4. ^ Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. p. 1381. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.

• 1987 live albums
• Cecil Taylor live albums
• Black Saint/Soul Note live albums
• 1980s instrumental albums
• Solo piano jazz albums