Search - Charles Mingus :: Live in Paris

MIND-BENDING LIVE PERFORMANCES BY A GREAT CHARLES MINGUS QUI

RBSProds | Deep in the heart of Texas | 09/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Five CLASSIC Stars!! These are stunning performances by one of the legendary jazz genius Charles Mingus' greatest quintets, recorded live in Paris in 1964. This is another in the series of European concerts hailing the eminent departure of 'reed master' Eric Dolphy from the group. A superb Clifford Jordan is on tenor sax; a live-wire Dolphy is on alto sax, flute, and a bristling bass clarinet; the world class pianist Jaki Byard is a marvel throughout; with Mingus' virtouso bass and Dannie Richmond's slashing drums rounding out the group. Don't let the fact that these are often-played Mingus classic songs dissuade you, these are absolutely 'jacked-up' different performances from any other, that were meant to be celebrations of not only the 'star-crossed' Mr Dolphy's imminent departure, but Mr Mingus' compositional and group dynamic genius, as well. And they push the Mingus-ian avant garde envelope. Sadly, the jazz world would soon be stunned as the 36 year old Mr Dolphy would suddenly pass away from diabetes complications in Berlin Germany shortly after leaving the group.



The 'Pieces De Resistance', the best of the best, begin with "Peggy's Blue Skylight" which has a sensational Clifford Jordan tenor sax solo. "Fables of Faubus", dedicated to the antics of the stubborn Arkansas governor during the civil rights struggle, is one of the best performances on the CD and begins with a terrific extended bass solo by Mr Mingus that goes in and out of tempo with those patented descending figurations. 'Mingus fingus', indeed. A great declaritive speech-like Dolphy solo is bolstered by background support that surprisingly 'morphs' into a cross between rhythm and quotes from "Tiajuana Moods" and "Group Dancers" briefly. The multi-themed, multi-tempoed "Meditations for Integration" is a stupendous composition, arrangement, and performance that rivals the Mingus Big Band performance at the Monterey Jazz Festival, with Mr Mingus' singing arco bass playing as great as anything played in any musical genre by any bassist. Clifford Jordan and Dolphy solo 'off the chain' with abandon, scoring big, as does Jaki Byard. A MARVELOUS performance by all concerned. Wonderfully recorded, this amazing performance gets my Highest Recommendation. Five HUGE Stars.



(Notes:

* This review is based on an iTunes download. Approximately 71 minutes total.

* There is a 2 CD compilation of this concert, authorized by Sue Mingus, called Revenge!

* Eric Dolphy was elected to the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1964 within months of his death, the fastest ever at that time.)"