Worthwhile Mingus interpretations by others

[Mark Stryker]

Steve Lacy and Gil Evans’ Paris Blues contains unusually meditative versions of “Reincarnation of a Lovebird,” Orange Was the Color of Her Dress Than Blue Silk,” and Goodbye Porkpie Hat.”

Elvin Jones’ Dear John C with sublime Charlie Mariano has a fantastic “Reincarnation of a Love Bird” — I learned the song from this version to play with my group in college, though I brought the key down a step to avoid the altissimo register. 

Junko Onishi’s Piano Quintet Suite  contains animated versions of “Peggy’s Blue Skylight” and Orange Was the Color of Her Dress Than Blue Silk.” (Two Detroiters here — Marcus Belgrave and Rodney Whitaker.)