Search - Charles Lloyd :: Moonman

Spaceman

Enrique Torres | San Diegotitlan, Califas | 06/10/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"It is rather amazing how such great music never gets the sonic makeover to the CD format and how sometimes such BAD music does; unfortunately this disc falls into the later category. I love Charles Lloyd music, have been listening to him since the " Forest Flower " days. I have this particular "Moonman" lp and recently gave it a fresh listen with mind wide open because I recall my dissapointment at the time of the original release back in the day. It is horrendous and speaks volumes to the decline of his musicianship at the time and his dabbling in a few too many mind altering activities. The title is on the money because this is the spaciest of spacey Charles Lloyd releases. He subsequently made a number of forgetable lp's but eventually came back to his incredible form.This is Lloyd in his hippie Fillmore persona with a bunch of other space cadets forming a band. Probably the worst part about this release is the fact that someone told Lloyd he could sing and he does so throughout the disc in a cryptic voice that is as bizarre as this disc is. This is not really a jazz disc but rather some type of musical exploration to destinies unknown, well somewhere between earth and the moon. The lyrics are strange and really out there. There are no instrumentals. Some samples of the lyrics, from the idealistic "Moonman , " "They know you killed Geronimo, They know you done took the Gold, But I got another plan, for a brand new land, Where the sky runs free,. no more pollution". From " Sweet Juvenia," "Ow ,Mr. Alpert's studio, Ow in your studio, Ow in your studio, I've been in America before the dudes say, Hi hello Communications network chicago calling, London, connecticut, Anybody there? Hello? Computer man say , Hey man is anyone home"? From the dark "Heavy Karma" Toss the coins against the mirror. Bringing Karma comesback clearer, Bringing with it Satans daughter. Ashes scaterred 'cross the sea to show you must be free." The one song of any saving grace that keeps it from a one star is "Hejira" tha is a nice five part song coming in at 7:10 that begins with Prayer, Exile, Journey, Hurrikit and ends with Forever. If you are new to Charles Lloyd stay away from this one but rather begin with the excellent "Forest Flower.""