LIVE AT CAFE MONTMARTRE VOL. 3
Stuart Jefferson | San Diego,Ca | 03/07/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"One disc approximately 51 minutes in length. Digitally remastered. For a live recording from the sixties this sounds very clean and immediate. This is the third,and final,volume of Don Cherry's recordings at the above venue. It's actually the first set played of the three,and is in some respects the best. This volume consists of two long tracks,one of them being "Complete Communion",which Cherry recorded for Blue Note Records to much aclaim. The group consists of Cherry on trumpet,Gato Barbieri on tenor sax,Karl Berger on vibes,Aldo Romano on drums,and Bo Stief on bass. This album,along with the other two,have a close affinity to Ornette Coleman's playing and arranging. At times,too,a bit of Albert Ayler slips in for added "spice". It's always been a mystery as to why the Blue Note recordings are fairly well known,while these three volumes are not. The music contained on these discs is every bit as good and satisfying as any Cherry recorded. His(and the groups)incorporation of other melodies or outright tunes in the middle of their own compositions,while still playing their own music,gives these tracks an extra identity. This is music that would be considered "outside jazz" even today. But this is music that still retains melodies and an inherent be-bop under-pinning throughout. Don't let that scare you off if you are coming to this music for the first time. The two compositions are well thought out and intelligently arranged,even in the more intense portions of group playing. This music weaves in and out of a basic composition,with the group playing over and through each other,and then the two horns play in unison for a few bars. All in all,this set(and the other two)are very satisfying.Especially if you like Coleman with a bit of Ayler. AS I WROTE WHEN REVIEWING THE FIRST VOLUME,IF YOU READ THAT REVIEW,IT ALSO POPS UP FOR THE SECOND VOLUME. I'LL JUST SAY THAT VOLUME TWO IS EVERY BIT AS GOOD AS THE OTHER TWO."