Lisa Sokolov & Cooper-Moore - William Parker: Stan's Hat Flapping in the Wind (2016)

'Stan's Hat Flapping in the Wind' features work from one of the jazz avant-garde's most heralded figures, presented in one of the most traditional of forms. Nineteen new songs composed by William Parker, and performed by singer Lisa Sokolov and pianist Cooper-Moore. Parker is - among his many great talents - a master of evocative song-craft, as readily evidenced on 'Corn Meal Dance' (AUM043, 2007), and 'Great Spirit' (AUM098, 2015), by his Raining On The Moon ensemble. The compositions and performances here are, as ever, illuminated with Parker's devotion to compassion for all life. They touch on the possibility of peace and truth prevailing in the present. Stan's Hat Flapping In The Wind is also the name of a musical that William Parker has been writing since 1994. To date he has composed over sixty songs for the production. On this studio recording, nineteen of these songs are presented. All of them are connected in that they all reflect on the mysteries of death and life. Many of Parker's touchstone subject matters abound: compassion for all living things, the magic of sound, the revolutionary nature of flowers, and deeply affecting dedications and invocations to enlightened spirits who have departed. Lisa Sokolov is a jazz vocalist, improviser and composer known for her pioneering range of tone, timbre and expression. Parker has worked with her for over 35 years in many situations. Cooper-Moore is another acclaimed great in the realm of avant-garde jazz, though he has an incredibly rich history in all manner of performance. He, too, has worked with Parker for many decades, including within his free-jazz supergroup, In Order To Survive. He was also fully featured on Parker's 3CD box set, 'For Those Who Are, Still' (AUM0929394, 2015).