Search - Eric Dolphy :: Last Date

One of Dolphy's Best

Richard B. Luhrs | Jackson Heights, NY United States | 12/20/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Eric Dolphy's career was tragically brief and his studio output - particularly as a leader - quite small, with the result that live albums, most of them recorded in Europe with pick-up rhythm sections, account for much of his legacy. LAST DATE, recorded in Hilversum, Holland on June 2, 1964 (twenty-seven days before Dolphy's death; in fact, it wasn't his last show, nor even his last recording, but that's beside the point) is easily the best of these that I've heard, and ranks among the best of Dolphy's albums overall. The Dutch rhythm section, especially pianist Misja Mengelberg, provides an inspired context for Dolphy's matchless blowing on all three of his primary instruments, and the track selection, uniquely among Dolphy's live recordings, consists primarily of original compositions. Three of Dolphy's own numbers are featured: the alto saxophone workouts "The Madrig Speaks, the Panther Walks" (also known as "Mandrake") and "Miss Ann," both featuring the inside-out tones, slippery phrasing and indefatigable energy so characteristic of Dolphy's alto playing; and the bright, upbeat flute piece "South Street Exit," with Dolphy far better recorded here than in the undermiked version on THE ILLINOIS CONCERT. Mengelberg contributes "Hypochristmuhtreefuzz," a very Dolphyish piece which the leader essays on bass clarinet. The two covers, each over eleven minutes in length, are both masterpieces. Thelonious Monk's "Epistrophy" features an exhaustive performance by Dolphy on bass clarinet, as well as nice, tight solos from Mengelberg and the others, underscoring both the significant influence of Monk's music on Dolphy and what a sorry loss it is to the jazz world that these two giants of the "outside" never recorded together. Back on flute, Dolphy gives the oft-covered ballad "You Don't Know What Love Is" far and away the most beautiful treatment I've heard; this may be the most outstanding of his performances on that most demanding of reed instruments. It's worth noting that LAST DATE is also unique among Dolphy's albums in giving the least disc time to alto sax numbers, as that is usually his most prominently-featured instrument. A final brief comment from Dolphy - the only recording of his voice I know of, in fact - closes out this extremely satisfying album from a truly great and underappreciated artist, which is also - fortunately - one of the easiest of his recordings to obtain."

Dolphy, at his most sensitive

Harmomelodic | San Francisco, CA USA | 09/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dolphy is far and away one of the most sensitive and most technically sophisticated players to ever live. His music on this date is particularly sensitive even by his standards. It gives me chills every time I listen to it. In all of Dolphy's music you can hear him stretching for something. In this album I can hear him reaching what he was always reaching for...if only just barely. His flute playing in particular is beyond words...one can almost hear his soul being set free.

It is tragic he died so young. I have heard rumors Misha is holding on to additional recordings from this meeting; if this is true I pray he releases them."

Simply last date.

Slaninka Frantisek | Bratislava Slovakia | 08/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dolphy first album I've heard and I love him thence. He plays on bass clarinet - Epistrophy, Hypochristmutreefuzz

flute -South street exit and You don't know what love is - maybe most beautiful flute solo I've ever heard

alto sax - The Madrig speak, the Panther walks and Miss Ann - both superb. Great music. Mix of bop and free jazz. Dolphy plays with unusual feeling and emotion.

Highly recommend."