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Missa Agnostica 2011

by Abe Maneri and the Agnostic Hep Cats

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1.
The Church of the Agnostic Hep Cats 04:51
2.
If I Could Write a Truth 04:08
3.
I Could Write a Book (Rogers and Hart) 03:30
4.
Love, Love, Makes No Sense 03:26
5.
Agnus Day 02:49
6.
Come Sunday (Duke Ellington) 04:06
7.
Dona Nobis 03:23
8.
Your Experience Is Important To Us 04:53
9.
Kyrie Ellaison 03:49
10.
Soul Control 03:25
11.
Over the Rainbow (Harold Allen and Ey. Harburg) 03:29
12.
Goodnight Jessamyn 03:44

about

Missa Agnostica by Abe Maneri and the Agnostic Hep Cats, was recorded in a series of sessions from August 2010 to February 2011. All songs are by Abe Maneri, unless otherwise indicated. This album represents a synthesis of my many interests in music: from Early music through Romanticism and Modernism as well as the music of Brazil, Nigeria, and with affection toward the American Songbook and traditional as well as Avant-garde jazz. I hoped to construct accessible songs that also embrace experimentation and free music. I also hoped to convey a personal message of spiritual awareness and reflection. Through the lyrics of these songs, including the standards, I wanted to tell the story of a Mass from an introduction to the community of musicians who helped me make this statement on the first track, through feelings of love on "I Could Write a Book" sorrow, "Your Experience is Important to Us" anger, "Soul Control" and acceptance on "Over the Rainbow." I look forward to presenting some of these songs live as well as some new songs with the help of my friends, the Agnostic Hep Cats, who by the way, are all definitely hep, but not at all necessarily agnostic.

My sincerest gratitude goes out to all the people who shared in making this music, Michael Beharie who pretty much made this site for me, my wife Kristine who remains my biggest fan and my most profound inspiration and all of you who have come out to support my music over the years.

Thank You,

Abe Maneri

credits

released May 10, 2011

The Agnostic Hep Cats Are:

Tenor saxophone written and performed by
Ben Jaffe
Acoustic guitar written and performed by
Tom Jameson
Banjo on track 12 performed by Tom Jameson
Bass written and performed on tracks 2 and 8
by Marc Greene
Background vocals on track 1
by Don Sandeen
Sonic sound Inclusions
by Baby Jessamyn

Nord electro, Nord lead, banjo except track 12, soprano and tenor recorders, harmonica, bongos, tambourine, various percussive sounds, vocals and words unless otherwise indicated, written and performed
by Abe Maneri

Recorded and produced at 949 President Street by Abe Maneri

This album is dedicated to all of those who wish to seek the unattainable and reach for that somewhere over the rainbow.

Reviews:

"Near the very end of the evening, Abe Maneri spoke about his relationship to his father and told us that he would perform one of Joe’s favorite hymns. Sounds fine, right? So simple. If I had not been sitting down, the performance would have knocked me on my can. Abe sang the hymn straight. The melody and words were recognizable. But with it, Abe played the piano. I didn’t even know he played the piano. But he did not just play it. He transformed the instrument with energy and clashing sonorities. You’ve probably seen professional choral groups listen to a tuning device before singing. The ear is a delicate thing when it comes to intonation. Abe sang the hymn straight and with almost casual concentration while he hit the keyboard with clusters and a variety of other tools of dissonance. The effect was something like having two radio stations tuned in at the same time, only better. It struck me as an intentional Cagean performance, even though such intention would be “illegal” for Cage."

--Stu Vandermark, Boston Jazz Scene

"Maneri fills the mind with words and thoughts that require—no encourage—repeated plays to get all of his metaphors. The music scores the poetry nicely; as practiced, the verse is delivered as if in song form."

--Mark Corroto, All About Jazz Magazine

...heavy and poignant, a dour Maneri is wry and sarcastic (his) free instrumental improvisation reflects the tension and anxiety as you would expect.

--Michael Nastos, Rovi

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Abe Maneri and the Agnostic Hep Cats Brooklyn, New York

Abe Maneri has studied music directly and indirectly his whole life; starting out on violin at the age of 4, cello at age 9, piano, recorders, guitar, voice, percussion, and clarinet there after. He has performed with many noted musicians including Joe and Mat Maneri, Jessica Jones, Sabir Mateen, Assif Tsahar and John Medeski. ... more

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