The Willisau Concert
Released
Recorded in Austria in 2000, this might be Cecil Taylor’s heaviest solo album. He’s playing the 97-key Bösendorfer Imperial and taking full advantage of the nine extra bass keys, particularly on the 50-minute track that makes up the bulk of the performance. His percussive style is on display throughout; the romantic asides that are the other side of his playing arrive less often than on albums like Air Above Mountains and Garden. Still, this is breathtakingly beautiful music.