Sun Ra Arkestra

[Ken Dryden]

The Sun Ra Arkestra came to Chattanooga, and though they were depleted by the deaths of Sun Ra, John Gilmore and June Tyson since their last appearance here circa 1991, they are still going strong and should hardly be considered a "ghost band." The musicianship was high caliber, with plenty of wild moments and unexpected twists, complete with Michael Ray's acrobatics (though the last time he did cartwheels on stage here, he tore loose a kneecap) and lots of fun.

The encore was a hilarious interpretation of "Hit That Jive, Jack."

[Hot Ptah]

What else did they play? For example, did they play Sun Ra's better known compositions? any Disney songs? any Fletcher Henderson or other swing era charts?

[Ken Dryden]

What else did they play? For example, did they play Sun Ra's better known compositions? any Disney songs? any Fletcher Henderson or other swing era charts?

Sorry that I didn't take notes, but they delved into a number of swing era tunes as well as their patented

version of avant-garde jazz. I was busy sitting on the side of the stage and walking around the crowd at

this outdoor event.

This week's Riverbend Festival offers only Al DiMeola (yawn...).

[sheldonm]

What else did they play? For example, did they play Sun Ra's better known compositions? any Disney songs? any Fletcher Henderson or other swing era charts?

Sorry that I didn't take notes, but they delved into a number of swing era tunes as well as their patented

version of avant-garde jazz. I was busy sitting on the side of the stage and walking around the crowd at

this outdoor event.

This week's Riverbend Festival offers only Al DiMeola (yawn...).

...YAWN indeed!

[Guy Berger]

Elegant Gypsy is fun in a brainless sort of way.

Guy