sun ra "freedom box"

[Guest akanalog]

i found at a used store the other day two sun ra discs.

one is called "outer space ways incorporated" and the other one is "calling planet earth".

they looked to be part of a series and there was another disc at the store perhaps i should have purchased as i later found out these constitute the freedom box set (i think?).

"calling planet earth" really blew me away. it is a live set from 1971, i think, and it is pretty swinging and organ heavy. it doesn't really turn into the super-dense blowout i have heard on other live ra discs from the 70s. i also didn't realize pat patrick played electric bass too and i guess maybe that helps hold the music tighter a bit.

does anyone like this box set?

how is the third disc?

maybe i should go back for it. i was worried it was a live hopdgepodge of poor sounding late 60s material but if it is as good as the other two discs, it deserves a purchase.

i didn't mention it since i haven't listened to it as much yet-but "outer spaceways incorporated" sounds good to me too. not too out, but some good edgy late 60's ra.

[jazzbo]

I've had this set since it was released, and one of the discs by itself for a few years before that.

I really enjoy it for the most part. I think you'll like the one you passed over. .. though it's probably the one you'll like the least (just a guess).

[sidewinder]

There's a video performance of part of 'Calling Planet Earth' on that 'Sun Ra - A Joyful Noise' DVD.

[Rupertdacat]

I found this 3 CD set at a used record place. Each of the CDs is accompanied by liner notes, but there is no booklet. Was one originally included with this set?

Thanks,

Rupe

[David Ayers]

This is the 'album art'. I have one of the disks. Depends how you feel about Sun Ra. To me, one or two solos are impressive, the collective blow-outs are too bombastic and unstructured.

[jazzbo]

Rupert, no you got all there is.

[Rupertdacat]

Rupert, no you got all there is.

Thanks for the info.

Rupe

[ep1str0phy]

I'm probably in the minority here, but "Outer Spaceways Incorporated" is one of my favorite Sun Ra discs. Somehow, it feels better balanced than a lot of the Saturn albums (and with marginally better sound)--free-blowing interspersed with some fine, fine "straight" compositions. Marshall Allen's solo on "Somewhere There" is mind-blowing for its timbral complexity and sheer energy (one of my favorite "free" alto solos, perhaps). And, of course, we're talking about a prime band: Allen, Patrick, Gilmore, Boykins, Jarvis... just sick.

Edited January 21, 2006 by ep1str0phy

[jazzbo]

I like it a lot too. In a way up to this point forward and all the way back I have come to just like it ALL. Each one is a little different and in the right mindset (listener's that is) each really rewards. A great run of recordings from several cities' residences. . . . Nothing else quite like it anywhere.