Filmworks 1986–1990 features the first released film scores of John Zorn. The album was originally released on the Japanese labels Wave and Eva in 1990, on the Nonesuch Records label in 1992, and subsequently re-released on Zorn's own label, Tzadik Records, in 1997 after being out of print for several years. "For Zorn, filmscores have always been a place to experiment, and the FilmWorks Series is in many ways a microcosm of his prodigious output. This original installment of the FilmWorks Series presents three scores ranging from punk-rockabilly (featuring the nasty guitars of Bob Quine, Bill Frisell and Arto Lindsay); a jazzy Bernard Herrmann fantasy; to a quirky classical/improv/world music amalgam for Raul Ruiz's bizarre film The Golden Boat. Zorn's infamous one-minute arrangement of Morricone's classic The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, is included as a bonus track. This is the place where it all began."

Reception

The Allmusic review by Joslyn Layne awarded the album 3 stars stating "Although certainly a younger effort, there is a lot of good music on this first film works compilation. It is interesting to hear where Zorn's scores began". Guy Peters stated "With releases like this, Zorn was basically working outside the jazz-frame and experimenting with avant-garde compositions, but a lot of the music owes so much to jazz that his crossover tactics can be found at full-effect. Like all of his music that is laden with shifts, gimmicks, cut-up techniques and the complete lack of convention, this volume of Filmworks may strike one as too self-conscious and studied (as in the structured improvisation of the game pieces), but it also shows you a fearless musician and composer at work, willing to take risks and not afraid to fail once in a while. It's certainly not an easy listen".

Track listing and liner notes

White and Lazy (1986) Director - Rob Schwebber Robert Quine - guitar Arto Lindsay - guitar, vocals Melvin Gibbs - bass Anton Fier - drums Carol Emanuel - harp David Weinstein - keyboards Ned Rothenberg - bass clarinet Recorded and mixed June 1986 at Radio City Studios, New York City by Don Hünerberg. The Golden Boat (1990) Director - Raúl Ruiz 07. "Fanfare" - 0:30 08. "Theme" - 2:59 09. "Jazz 1" - 2:51 10. "Horror Organ" - 1:06 11. "Mexico" - 1:56 12. "Mood" - 3:17 13. "Rockabilly" - 2:01 14. "Slow" - 2:47 15. "Jazz Oboes" - 2:33 16. "The Golden Boat (Turntable Mix)" - 2:58 17. "End Titles" - 2:53 Vicki Bodner - oboe John Zorn - alto sax Robert Quine - guitar Anthony Coleman - keyboards Carol Emanuel - harp David Shae - turntable, vocals Mark Dresser - bass Ciro Baptista - Brazilian percussion Robert Previte - drums, marimba Recorded May 1990 at Platinum Island Studio, NY by Ricky Belt. Mixed August 1990 at Science Lab, NYC by Jerry Gottus. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (1987) 18. "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" - 1:04 Robert Quine - guitar Bill Frisell - guitar Fred Frith - bass Wayne Horvitz - hammond organ David Weinstein - keyboards Carol Emanuel - harp Robert Previte - drums, percussion, vocal Recorded and mixed April 1987 at Radio City Studios, New York City by Don Hünerberg. She Must Be Seeing Things (1986) Director - Sheila McLaughlin 19. "Main Title" - 1:04 20. "Swirling Shot" - 1:20 21. "Homecoming" - 3:22 22. "Catalina Flash" - 0:28 23. "Seduction" - 4:54 24. "Sex Shop Boogaloo" - 2:47 25. "Catalina Escapes" - 1:11 26. "Worms" - 1:04 27. "Death Waltz Fantasy" - 1:24 28. "Following Sequence" - 3:03 29. "Movie Set" - 1:20 30. "Climax" - 2:55 31. "Going To Dinner" - 2:38 32. "End Titles" - 3:27 Shelley Hirsch - voice John Zorn - alto sax Marty Ehrlich - tenor sax, clarinet Tom Varner - French horn Jim Staley - trombone Bill Frisell - guitar Carol Emanuel - harp Anthony Coleman - piano, organ, celeste, harpsichord Wayne Horvitz - hammond organ, piano, DX7 David Weinstein - mirage, CZ101 keyboards David Hofstra - bass Naná Vasconcelos - Brazilian percussion Robert Previte - drums, percussion, vibes, timpani, orchestra bells Recorded and mixed December 1986 at Radio City Studios, New York City by Don Hünerberg.