Charles Mingus

[Rosco]

There may well have been a discussion on these already (and if so, apologies but a search didn't turn up anything)...

Any opinions on these recent Mingus releases (or any others)?

Cornell 1964 (Blue Note)

Not Heard: Played in Its Entirety at Ucla (Universal)

In Paris: the Complete America Session (Universal)

The Universal titles may have been out for a while but it seems we only just recently got them here in the UK

[AllenLowe]

my only problem with Not Heard is on one cut (not home now so I can't cite it) that has extensive CEDAR distortion on a trumpet solo (Hobart Dotson?) The music is great, but this kind of thing is inexcusable; that cut should have been done over (I'm assumoing they remastered it from an LP) -

[kh1958]

Cornell 1964 has not been released yet.

Not Heard is really interesting music--but the sound is not that good--it was transferred from an LP.

The Complete America recordings has been a favorite since I purchased the Reincarnation of a Lovebird 2LP set on Prestige many years ago. The group is first-rate: Charles McPherson, Bobby Jones, Eddie Preston, Jaki Byard, and Dannie Richmond. Mingus is a bit more sedate than usual, and the compositions performed are re-makes of Mingus classics--still it is highly recommended. The extra disc has a nice alternate of Peggy's Blue Skylight and an alternate of Pithecanthropus ... split in a couple parts.

[relyles]

I recently listened to the Paris disc quite a bit for a review I wrote for Jazz Improv. IMO, it is nearly a must have for Mingus fans.

[Cliff Englewood]

Cornell 1964 is available in Dublin as I bought it last week;

Only listened to the first disc so far and it's excellent, good sound too, I will post more when I have more time.

[ghost of miles]

Glad somebody else started this topic--it's been on my mind, what with the spate of new CDs. Was listening to the PARIS cd earlier today, and while--at least on first listen--it doesn't sound much different from what Mingus was doing circa 1964, it's still prime stuff; I'm going to listen to it again later this week. I like the Monterey disc a lot and have been surprised at some B-town locals' critical comments--put off, I gather, by what they consider to be the ragged nature of some of the performances. Hey, it's a hell of a lot better than smoooooth...

[Stereojack]

Not Heard is really interesting music--but the sound is not that good--it was transferred from an LP.

The original recording is not of professional quality. It was taped by UCLA students on, I suspect, relatively modest equipment. The 1980's reissue was remastered by Jack Towers, one of the best in the business at the time. I suspect Jack did the best with what he had. My point is, even if there were a master tape, this thing isn't going to ever sound great.

[sidewinder]

Yep, the sound on the 'Not Heard' LPs was never the greatest, even on original pressings. Wasn't the master tape destroyed by Capitol way back?

[Stereojack]

Yep, the sound on the 'Not Heard' LPs was never the greatest, even on original pressings. Wasn't the master tape destroyed by Capitol way back?

That's the story I've heard, but the blame probably falls on Mingus, who I believe never paid the bill.

[AllenLowe]

I understand - good source or not, however, the CEDAR distortion should not be there - whoever did the restoration just got lazy -

[jazzbo]

I can't wait for the Cornell!

The "Not Heard" I've always found fascinating; I've known the material for some time thanks to the kindness of jazz friends, and the new cd is a great boon to Mingus fanatics.

The American two cd set. .. well I paid more than twice as much to get a copy of the import not believing it would be released in America. And I don't care, it's great stuff, again I was only new to the unreleased material (most of which we really didn't need to have) but that was a great band.

[kh1958]

Village Voice article from 1957. The Village Vanguard, by the way, is at Seventh Avenue and 11th Street, one block from this concert.

Clip Job: Charles Mingus in the Village

Clip Job: an excerpt every day from the Voice archives

June 5, 1957, Vol. II, No. 32

Major Jazz Event in Village

The Village Voice and Jean Shepherd will bring together some of America’s most brilliant interpreters of modern jazz on Saturday midnight, June 15. Loew’s Sheridan, at Seventh Avenue and 12th Street, was chosen to stage the concert in order to bring this major musical event into the Village. It will be the first jazz concert of such magnitude ever to take place below 14th Street. Present plans call for a series of “jazz evenings” which, it is hoped, will make Greenwich Village the number-one jazz center of the country.

Jean Shepherd, as master of ceremonies, will introduce the Modern Jazz Quartet, the Charlie Mingus Quintet, and the Randy Weston Trio with Cecil Payne. Barbara Lea will handle the vocals.

The Modern Jazz Quartet is regarded by critics as one of the really great jazz groups playing today. Of its musical director and pianist, John Lewis, Downbeat wrote: “He is unlike any other in contemporary jazz. No one combines his quality and touch…his classical taste, and his ability to swing deeply while appearing so quietly fastidious.”

Among the highlights of the evening will be a new composition by bass virtuoso Charlie Mingus called “Tia Juana Table Dance.” An authentic Flamenco dancer will accompany the number, which is based on Spanish Flamenco and jazz rhythms. Critic Barry Ulanov said of Mingus “Here is a man who thinks and feels with unending resources both of musical technique and imagination. In other words, an artist.”

All tickets for the jazz event entitled “Music for Night People” are $2, and are on sale—mail order or over-the-counter—at Loew’s Sheridan.

Edited March 3, 2008 by kh1958