Record Reviews
11 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.
  | OREGON ~ 1974
MOOSICUS 1218 (Barcode: 885513121820) ~ USA ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 1974 Released: 2021
This is an archival live album by the legendary American quartet OregonFind albums by this artist, recorded in Germany by Radio Bremen. It presents the original lineup of the quartet with guitarist Ralph TownerFind albums by this artist, oboe and English horn player Paul McCandlessFind albums by this artist, bassist Glen MooreFind albums by this artist and percussionist / sitar player Collin WalcottFind albums by this artist. The 2CD album presents nine tracks, all composed by Towner, most of which are well over ten minutes in duration.
Oregon were undoubtedly one of the most eclectic, unique and revolutionary cross-genre American ensembles, which managed to combine Jazz improvisations with World Music, strongly influenced by Indian music, Classical Music, Avant-Garde and New Age and even Psychedelic and Space elements. The four members of the band were virtuosi on their respective instruments and their collective performances, which I managed to hear in person many times over the years, were simply magical.
Not surprisingly, Oregon achieved acclaim and Artistic recognition predominantly in Europe, where they toured extensively. Following the early years spent with VanguardFind albums on this label Records in the US, they later released their albums on several European labels, including ECMFind albums on this label, IntuitionFind albums on this label and CAM JazzFind albums on this label. The members of Oregon recorded and performed also as solo artists and members of other ensembles.
The music on this album is a wonderful document of the early period of Oregon, and offers a relaxed environment, which inspires the musicians to improvise intensively and extensively on the beautiful themes, which is much different to the same music appearing on the early studio albums. For Jazz-World Fusion enthusiasts this is some of the finest and most sophisticated embodiment of the genre. The enthusiastic audience seems to be well aware of the greatness of the hour.
Overall, this is a superb document of the Artistry represented by one of the finest American Jazz-World Fusion ensembles ever, captured in an ideal aura created by attentive and enthusiastic audience. For the many Oregon followers, this is an absolute must and a true revelation.
| | Updated: 27/12/2022Posted: 27/12/2022 | CD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | OREGON ~ MUSIC OF ANOTHER PRESENT ERA
VANGUARD 79326 (Barcode: 090204820542) ~ USA ~ Jazz-World Fusion
2nd album from 1972. Oregon formed in 1970 by four brilliant jazz instrumentalists, who played together in the Paul Winter Consort, where they absorbed many non-jazz influences - mainly World Music. The group developed into one of the most important and influential US ensembles, with music reaching far beyond the expected and anticipated. The mixture of jazz improvisations and World Music themes is extremely beautiful.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | OREGON ~ DISTANT HILLS
VANGUARD 79341 (Barcode: 090204820559) ~ USA ~ Jazz
3rd album from 1973. More of the same outstanding performances and deeply mooving music by the quartet, which dares to go far beyond what was considered jazz at that time with vision and prophetic dedication. This music did not loose any of its freshness and ingenuity over the years.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | OREGON ~ WINTER LIGHT
VANGUARD 79350 (Barcode: 090204820566) ~ USA ~ Jazz
4th album from 1974. Brilliant album by the four multi-instrumentalists who created some of the most original music ever recorded. Collin Walcott plays tabla, sitar and dulcimer. Glen Moore plays bass, clarinet and piano. Paul McCandless plays many reed instruments. Ralph Towner plays some of the greatest acoustic guitar.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | OREGON ~ FRIENDS
VANGUARD 79370 ~ USA ~ Jazz-World Fusion
8th album from 1977 (and their 3rd in the same year!). By that time the group was not only superb in every aspect of musicianship, but also very prolific, producing 3 albums in 1977 and another 3 in the next year. The music is as alwas deeply intertwined with World Music, with emphasis on textures and moods. Similar to many ECM recordings of the same era.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | LARRY CORYELL ~ THE ELEVENTH HOUSE AT MONTREUX
VANGUARD 79410 ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded live at the 1974 Montreux Jazz Festival, this album captures Coryell and his Fusion band at their best. Dynamic, fiery and inspired, they fly through the set with vigor and instrumetal brilliance. Coryell`s blistering guitar and Lawrence`s high pitched trumpet soar above the solid and supportive rhythm section with Mouzon in lead. Not to be missed!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | OREGON ~ MOON AND MIND
VANGUARD 79419 ~ USA ~ Jazz
11th album from 1978 (and third in the same year!). More great improvisations based on World Music themes, with plenty of opportunity for all the players to shine and dazzle, although Oregon was never flashy in nature, the music being very relaxed and introspective. This is music for the soul much more then for the body or the intellect.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
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