Record Reviews

CHARLES MINGUS ~ THE COMPLETE TOWN HALL CONCERT BLUE NOTE 724382835325 (Barcode: 724382835325) ~ USA ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1962 Released: 1994 This is a reissue / remaster of the album by American bassist / composer / bandleader Charles MingusFind albums by this artist, recorded at NY Town Hall on October 12, 1962 and featuring a 30-piece Big Band, which included some of the most prominent American Jazz musicians active at the time, including trumpeters Clark TerryFind albums by this artist and Snooky YoungFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Eric DolphyFind albums by this artist, Charlie MarianoFind albums by this artist, Zoot SimsFind albums by this artist and Pepper AdamsFind albums by this artist, pianists Jaki ByardFind albums by this artist and Toshiko AkiyoshiFind albums by this artist, drummer Dannie RichmondFind albums by this artist and of course Mingus on bass. The album presents twelve tracks, all bar one original compositions by Mingus, with a playing time over twice longer than the duration of the original LP album released in 1963 on United ArtistsFind albums on this label. Four of the tracks are previously unissued and another four are restored to their full length. The music is of course as Godly as anything else recorded by Mingus, with this reissue restoring the original castrated monstrosity to its full glory. For decades this music was considered as one of the least successful recordings by Mingus, but this version proves that it was the fault of the original LP producers, rather than anything to do with Mingus, who prepared this glorious Magnum Opus using his full blown talent, as we can now properly hear and witness. Mingus uses the Big Band masterfully, expanding his original scores in order to utilize the full strength of such a powerful vehicle and in order to present his musical ideas, which of course were light-years ahead of their time. This live recording remains as a sublime document of Mingus’ vision, and should be cherished as such. Overall, this is a wonderful time capsule, which presents the Jazz Genius of Mingus at work, given an opportunity to utilize a Grand Big Band, presenting his unforgettable melodies ornamented by improvisations by the best Jazz musicians alive at the time. This is obviously a must in every substantial Jazz records collection.

Updated: 21/05/2025Posted: 21/05/2025

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

JOE ZAWINUL ~ THE RISE & FALL OF THE THIRD STREAM / MONEY IN THE POCKET RHINO 71675 (Barcode: 081227167523) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1965 - 1967 Released: 1994 Joe ZawinulFind albums by this artist arrived in the US in 1958, after being one of the first European musicians to win a scholarship to Berklee, but he left the school almost immediately and became active on the US jazz scene as pianist, arranger and composer. He played with Maynard FergusonFind albums by this artist, Slide HamptonFind albums by this artist and Dinah WashingtonFind albums by this artist before landing on the piano chair with Cannonball AdderleyFind albums by this artist’s quintet, where he stayed for 9 years (1961-1969). Towards the end of his Adderley days Zawinul played for almost 2 years (1969-1970) with Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, participating in the seminal recordings Miles made at that period. In 1970 Zawinul formed the legendary Weather ReportFind albums by this artist, which would revolutionize the jazz and fusion genres and continue (in a slightly different direction) the pioneering breakthroughs made by Davis. Over the years Zawinul recorded only three albums as a leader (on AtlanticFind albums on this label and VortexFind albums on this label), two of which are included here (The eponymous album from 1969 was really the starting point for Weather Report). Money In The PocketFind albums with this title, recorded in 1965, finds him in a setting similar to his Adderley’s quintet gig both musically and personally. He uses the quintet’s bass player (Sam JonesFind albums by this artist) and drummer (Louis HayesFind albums by this artist) and adds three excellent horn players: Blue MitchellFind albums by this artist (trumpet), Joe HendersonFind albums by this artist (tenor sax) and Pepper AdamsFind albums by this artist (baritone sax). The sextet plays a great set of bebop material, including mostly original material by Zawinul, Jones and Henderson and two standards. Zawinul’s elegant and soulful piano playing sets a firm basis for the music’s graceful flow. The Rise & Fall Of The Third StreamFind albums with this title, recorded in 1967, is a completely different album and a most ambitious and pioneering jazz venture for the time. It involves a meeting between the American jazz tradition and the European classical tradition, but as the title suggests it was meant to be a new kind of synthesis to the one attempted earlier in the US by Gunther SchullerFind albums by this artist and named “The Third Stream”, which seemed to be forced and artificial rather than natural. A meeting between Zawinul and American classical composer William FisherFind albums by this artist led to the two of them working together in an attempt to create a natural synthesis of the two musical worlds. The project involved a jazz ensemble and a string quartet, playing music composed and arranged by Fisher. The jazz ensemble includes Zawinul on acoustic and electric piano, Jimmy OwensFind albums by this artist on trumpet, Richard DavisFind albums by this artist on bass, Roy McCurdyFind albums by this artist and Freddie WaitsFind albums by this artist on drums, Warren SmithFind albums by this artist on percussion and Fisher on tenor sax. The result is a stunning piece of music, a completely new and previously attempted kind of musical vista. In retrospect one can of course hear the seeds of what Zawinul will be doing just a couple of years later with Davis and then Weather Report. Although sadly overlooked and rarely mentioned, this is a seminal album in every respect and surely ahead of its time in every respect. For the intelligent jazz lover, interested in the forces that forged the jazz revolution of the late 1960s this is an absolute must!

Updated: 09/01/2025Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend