The Snake Decides


The Snake Decides is a studio album by British jazz saxophonist Evan Parker. It was released in 1988 on Parker and Derek Bailey's Incus Records label, and re-released on Parker's Psi label in 2003. It is currently out of print.

Background

The album features four unaccompanied saxophone solos, recorded by sound engineer Michael Gerzon in St Paul's Church, Oxford, England in 1986. The Penguin Guide to Jazz awarded the album one of its rare crown accolades, in addition to featuring it as part of its Core Collection. It declares the album to be equally a great recording as a record, and "an essential document of modern music".
The wood cut reproduced on the cover is by George Murphy.

Track listing

  1. "The Snake Decides" – 19:56
  2. "Leipzig Folly" – 11:42
  3. "Buriden's Ass" – 6:29
  4. "Haine's Last Tape" – 6:01

    Personnel