Dewey Redman discography question

[bertrand]

How prominent is Dewey on this record? Does he get any solo space?

Bertrand.

Edited December 4, 2006 by bertrand

[brownie]

Dewey Redman is not heard on the vinyl version of this album!

[Rooster_Ties]

Bertrand, if you can find an inexpensive used copy, I think you would find this album to be quite facinating. I'm not saying you'll necessarily love it, but (IMHO) it's by far the most interesting of all of Ornette's third-stream attemps.

I used to have a duplicate CD copy (of the most recent remaster) until about 6-months ago, when I gave it to a friend. I could inquire as to whether he really liked (or still likes it), and it not -- I've got plenty of other discs I could trade him for it (to get it back), and then it's yours.

Or if you've got a line on a cheap one, you ought to get it.

Do I think "Skys..." really works?? -- hell if I know. But it's a fun ride, when I'm in the right mood for it.

(More to your question - I don't remember Dewey being on it at all either.)

Edited December 4, 2006 by Rooster_Ties

[7/4]

I thought Ornette was the only one on it, because the local musicans union thought that his band would be taking union jobs.

[Rooster_Ties]

The liner-notes to the most recent reissue (circa 2001? - no date given in the liners, 'cept ©1972), say that Ornette is the only musician on the date (save for the orchestra, of course). Ornette is listed as playing on tracks #11, #14-18, and #20.

My memory (ears) is of one of Ornette's drummers being on the date, but I'll have to spin it to be sure. Doing so now...

Edit: IMHO, all of the drums on the date are from the orchestra (at least judging from the first few tracks).

The expanded liners include a goodly long passage from Litweiler's Ornette bio (Harmelodic Life). Yeah, the musician's union wouldn't allow jazz musicians on a classical bill (even recording). Live performances that would have included Ornette's quartet were cancelled, and the recording could only include Ornette - since he could slide by the regs, by being a participant by virtue of having been the composer of the works being recorded. Other changes in the planned recording resulted too -- since the full quartet couldn't participate.

Edited December 4, 2006 by Rooster_Ties

[bertrand]

I had thought until two days ago that Ornette was the only soloist on this but then the following occurred:

1) I was listening to an interview Phil Schapp did with Dewey back in 1990 and PS mentions Dewey's 'lenghty' tenor solo on this record (which he first calls American Skies until Dewey corrects him). I was puzzled about this, so I checked at jazzdisco.org

2) They have Dewey playing tenor and oboe on this (along with Haden and Blackwell).

So, keeping in mind the two following facts:

1) Schapp often is clueless about what he claims to be an expert on

2) Jazzdisco.org is often totally wrong

I thought the only way to pin this down is to talk to someone who has this.

They have it at yourmusic, but I was only thinking of getting it if someone could confirm that Dewey is audible on this. It looks like Brownie is saying he isn't - perhaps Dewey is present but buried in the mix (like Wayne on 'Falling Water'), or perhaps Dewey is not there at all.

Otherwise, I was leaning towards not getting this. Now if Rooster has an extra copy, that's a whole 'nother story!

Thanks,

Bertrand.

Edited December 4, 2006 by bertrand

[bertrand]

BTW, you can't trust Columbia's personnel listings. The recent reissue of Monk. does not mention that the tune 'Teo' is from a different session with Butch Warren on bass. You have to search the web to find this out.

So Dewey could appear uncredited on Skies Of America.

Bertrand.

[Rooster_Ties]

They have it at yourmusic, but I was only thinking of getting it if someone could confirm that Dewey is audible on this.

Wait -- I could have just sworn I heard some tenor in there. Yeah, it was on the stereo in the other room, so it's hard to be sure -- but I'm tellin' you, that definitely sure was maybe some tenor I thought I just heard, maybe. (Well, kinda sorta.)

The disc has been on for like 20 or 30 minutes or something, so it was somewhere in the "middle" section. But it was there, I just know it.

You'll be able to tell better than I am, bertrand, I just know it. Let me know what you find!!

[Rooster_Ties]

OK, I think one of Ornette's drummers might be on this date. Not certain, but the drumming I'm hearing (on a conventional jazz trap-set) sounds a lot more "interesting" that I would have expected from an any orchestral drummer.

If I was a betting man -- I'd say there was a real drummer on this date.

Haven't heard any upright bass. (And just the tenor I eluded to in my previous post. )

Edited December 4, 2006 by Rooster_Ties

[JSngry]

To the best of my knowledge, Dewey didn't play oboe. He played musette. Not the same thing at all.

[Rooster_Ties]

More to the point...

Sangry, would you just tell bertrand that he needs to hear this damn date -- Dewey or no Dewey. I'm just spinnin' my wheels here. Somebody with more cred in this area needs to chime in, Jim, so get on it already.

[bertrand]

Yeah, the oboe thing sounded just plain wrong.

Do you mean he played musette on this date, or in general?

Bertrand.

[JSngry]

In general.

I've not listened to the LP in a while, but I don't remember hearing Dewey.

[bertrand]

Actually, I'm really trying to solve a discographical conundrum. Hearing the actual thing can wait

I think a Dewey discography is needed at jazzdiscography.com

Bertrand.

[JSngry]

Indeed. Don't forget that solo album made for DJs to sample. Still have yet to locate a copy, although I have found a compilation w/a few selections. GRAND stuff, believe it or not.

[relyles]

Actually, I'm really trying to solve a discographical conundrum. Hearing the actual thing can wait

I think a Dewey discography is needed at jazzdiscography.com

Bertrand.

From one Dewey fanatic to another ... DEFINATELY!!!!