Charles Mingus Sextet with Eric Dolphy - Cornell 1964
Disc 1:
01. Opening 0:17
02. ATFW You 4:26
03. Sophisticated Lady 4:23
04. Fables of Faubus 29:42
05. Orange Was the Colour of Her Dress, Then Blue Silk 15:05
06. Take the "A” Train 17:26
Disc 2:
01. Meditations 31:23
02. So Long Eric 15:33
03. When Irish Eyes Are Smiling 6:07
04. Jitterbug Waltz 9:59
Like its historic 2005 discovery of the Thelonious Monk Quartet with
John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall, Blue Note Records has unearthed another
masterpiece from the vaults with Charles Mingus Sextet with Eric
Dolphy: Cornell 1964. The double-disc collection is a monumental
portrayal of an all-star group at the height of its powers, led by the
bassist/composer who is widely regarded as one of the most complex,
idiosyncratic and influential figures in 20th century American music.
Although this band is represented on other recordings, Cornell 1964
captures a singular performance unequaled in Mingus’ lengthy
discography.
In A.B. Spellman’s 1966 tome Four Lives in the
Bebop Business, Mingus disciple Jackie McLean is quoted as saying,
"Jazz is a party music,” and that is certainly evident on this
recording, as the bandleader and his cohorts are clearly having fun.
Mingus’ lively vocal exhortations can be heard in the background,
spurring on the soloists and delighting the audience throughout. At the
same time, the music itself is rich and dense; the six musicians often
sounding like many more, with a sense of detailed orchestration that
marks the heavy Ellingtonian influence on Mingus’ music.
Dolphy’s inimitable presence is at the forefront here, with his
customary array of alto saxophone, flute and bass clarinet. One
highlight is his telepathic interplay with Mingus as they duet on the
opening melody of the tour-de-force "Meditations.” The bass master’s
keening, bowed strings intertwine with Dolphy’s melancholic flute to
create a single, haunting voice, backed by the lush, repetitive horn
figures of Clifford Jordan and Johnny Coles. That track, along with the
Mingus staple "Fables of Faubus” constitutes the centerpiece of the
album, with each composition receiving epic, half-hour treatments full
of shifting moods and tempos.
The presence of Coles here is a
particular revelation, especially considering his absence on most of
this band’s ensuing recordings after he dropped off the subsequent tour
due to illness. He tears through "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” with a
huge, golden tone full of harmonic invention. This rare jazz version of
the famous folk tune was played in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, and
joins Mingus’ sole recorded version of Fats Waller’s "Jitterbug Waltz”
on the album as stellar examples of the group’s playful fervor in ¾
time.
Not to be left out of the spotlight, Jaki Byard
showcases his trademark encyclopedic knowledge of the piano with a solo
rendition of his original, "ATFW,” that encapsulates and then
transcends the soulful techniques of past masters Art Tatum and Fats
Waller. On "Fables of Faubus,” Byard ingeniously trades quotes with
Mingus as they insert well-timed melodic references to everything from
"Yankee Doodle Dandy” to Chopin’s "Funeral March” in the solo sections
of this darkly comic political opus.
With equally important
contributions from Jordan’s fierce, blues-drenched sax and longtime
Mingus drummer Dannie Richmond’s infectious swing, Cornell 1964 seems
destined to become not just another reissue, but a bonafide jazz
classic.
Visit Charles Mingus Sextet with Eric Dolphy on the web.
Charles Mingus Sextet with Eric Dolphy at All About Jazz.
Track listing: CD1: ATFW; Sophisticated Lady; Fables of Faubus; Orange
Was the Color of Her Dress, Then Blue Silk; Take the "A” Train. CD2:
Meditations; So Long Eric; When Irish Eyes Are Smiling; Jitterbug
Waltz.
Personnel: Charles Mingus: bass; Eric Dolphy: alto
saxophone, flute, bass clarinet; Johnny Coles: trumpet; Clifford
Jordan: tenor saxophone; Jaki Byard: piano; Dannie Richmond: drums.
By Greg Camphire/allaboutjazz.com
Genre: jazz
Year:1964
Format:flac.cue.log
Extractor:EAC v095
Codec:FLAC 1.1.x
LINK1
LINK2
