The Mystery of Compassion

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings	[3]

The AllMusic review by Brian Olewnick awarded the album 4 stars stating "Varner's ensemble offers up fascinating music that straddles the borders between jazz and an urban mix with a root or two in noir soundtracks, world music, and who knows what else. The Mystery of Compassion is a must for fans of the jazzier edges of the downtown New York scene".[2]

The authors of the Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings awarded the album 4 stars, and wrote: "Varner's alarming juxtapositions make coherent sense without losing their capacity to surprise, and the players involved respond with a passionate intensity which is rare even among these driven musicians."[3]

All compositions and arrangements by Tom Varner

1. "How Does Power Work?" - 9:32
2. "Water and Wood" - 5:56
3. "Fool's Oasis" - 8:26
4. "A Severed Arm" - 1:01
5. "The Well" - 13:52
6. "Death at the Right Time" - 7:21
7. "Control Passion" - 9:53
8. "Plunge" - 0:53
9. "$1000 Hat" - 14:15
10. "Prayer" - 3:20

• Recorded at Baby Monster Studio in New York City on March 5, 6 & 7, 1992

• Tom Varner - French horn
• Matt Darriau (track 6), Ed Jackson (tracks 1-5 & 7-9) - alto saxophone
• Ellery Eskelin (track 6), Rich Rothenberg (tracks 1-9) - tenor saxophone
• Jim Hartog - baritone saxophone (track 6)
• Steve Swell - trombone (tracks 6 & 10)
• Dave Taylor - bass trombone (tracks 6 & 10)
• Mark Feldman - violin (track 5)
• Mike Richmond - bass (tracks 1-9)
• Tom Rainey - drums (tracks 1-9)