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  | 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 |
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