Great album
The sender is in a quick response of sending out the album.
For the album,
The hype factor was cranked up considerably in 2005 for the unearthed recording of two jazz legends: John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk's At Carnegie Hall (Blue Note). Things have cooled down a tad since that momentous release but just as exciting and equally important is Cornell 1964 featuring the Charles Mingus Sextet with Eric Dolphy.
Mingus, the powerful enigmatic bassist, band-leader and composer, was as controversial as he was dynamic. Dolphy, an absolutely brilliant musician (alto sax, bass clarinet, and flute), whose short lived musical career (he died a few months after this concert in 1964) still leaves a vivid mark in jazz today. The chance to hear them together is a treat for longtime admirers and newcomers alike.
But this is more than just a meeting of two giants because we also get a chance to witness Mingus' illustrious quintet which included lesser known yet stunning musicians: Jaki Byard (piano), Johnny Coles (trumpet), Clifford Jordan (tenor saxophone), and Dannie Richmond (drums). Mingus always ran a tight ship, tolerating nothing less than excellence. With this band, the musicians not only meet his criteria but also deliver some stellar performances.
The two-CD recording covers everything from Mingus' epic "Fables of Faubus," (written as a direct protest against Civil Rights injustices in 1957) to a jubilant rendition of "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" as the band engages in some light hearted fun. There is an air that the vibe was stress free (in contrast to some of Mingus' engagements) and that they were clearly enjoying themselves and the receptive audience.
There are many highlights from everyone: Byard's exhaustive range on "ATFW You"--included bebop, ragtime, classical and more. Mingus' gregarious fretwork--injected with humor and an unflinching presence on "Orange Was the Color of Her Dress, Then Blue Silk" as Coles' sweet muted trumpet harmonizes with Jordan's warm tenor and Dolphy's throaty bass clarinet. Each voice glows against the blues/swing melody.
They "Take The A Train" to new destinations of swing as Mingus and Richmond thrill the audience with boisterous solos. Dolphy played jazz flute like no one else, as heard on "Jitterbug Waltz," brings the recording to a satisfying conclusion. There are many bright moments on this resurrected historical document. The shadows of these players still looms today and this concert is a testament of their greatness that will hopefully endure for years to come. - By Mark F. Turner
Excellent 2 disc live set from St. Patrick's Day 1964
This was my first Charles Mingus album as I bought it more as a fan of Eric Dolphy. The first disc starts slow but then explodes in a series of 20 minute-plus jams. 'So Long Eric' is especially notable as Dolphy tragically died in Europe shortly after this tour. 'When Irish Eyes Are Smiling' is an enjoyable tribute to St. Patrick's Day. Good liner notes too.
The sextet includes: Johnny Coles on trumpet, Eric Dolphy on alto sax, flute and bass clarinet, Clifford Jordan on tenor sax, Jaki Byard on piano, Charles Mingues on bass and Dannie Richmond on drums.
A key live album, though not as good as At Antibes
There's an interesting story behind why it took so long to release this generally first-rank archival album: apparently, only the students and band members knew that this show had even taken place, let alone that it was being recorded. I'm glad it was released, though: most of this is excellent stuff. For one, there's a half-hour "Fables of Faubus" that's always fascinating throughout - it never gets old, long as it may be. The similarly long "Orange was the Color of Her Dress" is adventurous as always; "So Long Eric" is beautifully done; and "A.T.F.W. You" is a wonderful but brief piano solo. He also gets in two amazing Ellington covers; a concise "Sophisticated Lady" and an epic "Take the `A' Train", which sports superlative solos (including Mingus doing something apparently hilarious with his bass during his solo - I'd love to see footage of the concert so I could see what). Oh, and Eric Dolphy is on this album. There are a few clunkers: "Meditations" peters out about two minutes in, and does nothing to save itself over the rest of its half hour; Mingus also camps it up on "Jitterbug Waltz" and "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling", two cover tunes which he would thankfully never explore again - even then, they're of value for collectors. Still, I've gotta salute Blue Note for putting this one out. The band is a sextet, surprising for Mingus and his love of medium-sized groups Mingus and Dolphy (who plays his usual plethora of woodwinds) plus Jaki Byard (piano), Johnny Coles (trumpet), Clifford Jordan (tenor sax) and Dannie Richmond (drums).
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