Jazz music

[CMoon]

Went through two by Archie Shepp last night--Four for Trane and the out of print On This Night. As usual, they have great moments, but I guess I just wasn't feeling it (at least, not in the way I feel Fire Music and Blase). On This Night is actually a little unfortunate because it seems there isn't quite a full album here and instead there's lots of alternate takes and cuts from other sessions filling up the album. That said though, the sound is right on, and this IS the sister album to Fire Music, even if it is barely an album. A great dark sound.

Four for Trane is earlier and brighter, but still not much niceness in it. It's a more solid album than On This Night, but doesn't go the places that album goes. I keep wondering if I'm wasting my time with Shepp as I feel like I already own his two best albums, but these other titles offer some great moments no one else really seems quite up to.

[sjewkestheloon]

I think I've heard an Archie Shepp record but can't be sure. Did he do one on Actuel with some crazy female vocals?

[CMoon]

He did a few on Actuel--but the only one worth really hearing IMO on Actuel is Blase, which is one of my favorite albums by him. I also forgot to mention Mamma's too tight (a rather provocative title) on impulse which I remember REALLY enjoying. Honestly, I've never heard a bad Shepp album, but there is a gap between his very best stuff and everything else.

[CMoon]

The '61 Village Vanguard stuff is absolutely brilliant as an indication of what JC was doing live at that time. The tracks are lengthy and the improvisations are thorough but never go on too much. Dolphy is also brilliant on these sessions, probably the best I've heard him. At least on a par with the Candid Mingus albums (Stormy Weather blows me away every time I hear it).

There's a lot of interesting texture on the VV recordings thanks to some other players jumping in for the takes of India. I personally rate it far higher than some of Coltrane's studio albums and would probably grab it sharpish in a fire.

Listened to the first two discs over the last couple days and can agree with this sentiment. I was leaning toward the single disc version for monetary reasons (plus I was looking at how many tracks were alternate versions) but am glad I went with the full set. The different versions come off more like different songs, especially when Coltrane goes into full warble. I've become more and more weary of these 'complete' sets--editing exists for a very good reason, but in this case getting the whole thing is the way to go. It's amazing all these years later to hear Coltrane fresh again. Pretty much like being able to hear Africa Brass for the first time, again.

Speaking of Africa Brass, this is pushing me toward the complete version of that--I have an old single disc version that is VERY GOOD (more complete than the current single disc version), but given how great all those different versions of tracks are on VV, its probably the same with Africa Brass.

[ROBOTRON]

Did you ever check out Freddie Redd's "Everybodyt Lobe a winner?" The man is sex on the piano. tHE WHOLE CD ROCKS BUT THE LAST CUT ON IS.....IS....WONDERFUL.

[RoninBuddha]

i like this thread

[sjewkestheloon]

The '61 Village Vanguard stuff is absolutely brilliant as an indication of what JC was doing live at that time. The tracks are lengthy and the improvisations are thorough but never go on too much. Dolphy is also brilliant on these sessions, probably the best I've heard him. At least on a par with the Candid Mingus albums (Stormy Weather blows me away every time I hear it).

There's a lot of interesting texture on the VV recordings thanks to some other players jumping in for the takes of India. I personally rate it far higher than some of Coltrane's studio albums and would probably grab it sharpish in a fire.

Listened to the first two discs over the last couple days and can agree with this sentiment. I was leaning toward the single disc version for monetary reasons (plus I was looking at how many tracks were alternate versions) but am glad I went with the full set. The different versions come off more like different songs, especially when Coltrane goes into full warble. I've become more and more weary of these 'complete' sets--editing exists for a very good reason, but in this case getting the whole thing is the way to go. It's amazing all these years later to hear Coltrane fresh again. Pretty much like being able to hear Africa Brass for the first time, again.

Speaking of Africa Brass, this is pushing me toward the complete version of that--I have an old single disc version that is VERY GOOD (more complete than the current single disc version), but given how great all those different versions of tracks are on VV, its probably the same with Africa Brass.

Glad you like it!

I've only heard a 1CD version of Africa/Brass myself but would love to hear the full version. I think Coltrane mixes his solos up a lot and the takes tend to vary a lot in mood, making multiple takes worthwhile. Some of the Miles sets are the complete opposite though, you really don't need to hear the individual components before they were stuck together in his case. Saying that I can listen to the whole In A Silent Way set back to back.

[CMoon]

Some of the Miles sets are the complete opposite though, you really don't need to hear the individual components before they were stuck together in his case.

This is precisely what scared me off of the 'complete sessions' sets with all those extra versions. With Davis, everyone raved about the Bitches Brew and Cellar Door sessions, but seriously, I think the individual albums sum up these sessions pretty damn well. Editing is typically a good thing.

[dan76]

I'd agree about the Cellar Door box set, but the complete Jack Johnson and On the Corner sessions have a number of unreleased tracks - the quality of the unheard material brings into question the editing decisions on those two albums. There was some great stuff left out... Wasn't On the Corner a failed attempt to reach a younger, hipper audience? As much as I love the original album it's pretty daunting the first few listens -

[CMoon]

All I can say regarding the On The Courner sessions is that they are among the most forward looking material from Davis, who's entire career is about looking forward. If there is essential and unreleased material there (not just alternate versions), I'm pretty interested.