Jun 11, 1964-Jun 12, 1963
Label: Mercury 20844
1. Ecclusiastics
2. By Myself
3. Roland Speaks
4. A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
5. Variations on a Theme by Hindemith
6. I've Got Your Number
7. Between the Fourth and the Fifth Step
8. April Morning
9. Get in the Basement
10. Abstract Improvisation
Virgil Jones, Richard Williams-tpt (1-5)
Tom McIntosh, Charles Greenlea-tbn (1-5)
Don Butterfield-tu (1-5)
Harold Mabern-p (1-10)
Richard Davis-b (1-5)
Abdullah Rafik-b (6-10)
Albert Heath-d (1-5)
Sonny Brown-d (6-10)
Benny Golson-cond, arr (1-5)
Another wonder from Kirk's Mercury years that has spent far more time out of print than in print. Not for any failure of the music here, I'm surprised this album was never popular, side one is with a nonet arranged by Benny Golson with some very appealing music including the twisted Monk-like 'Ecclusiastics' and the lovely 'A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square' featuring Kirk on strich. Side two is a quartet set from a year later that is full of great moments too. 'Ive Got Your Number' is another strich piece that rivals any alto man, followed by one of those jaw dropping full horn chorus numbers that leave you speechless, and then two completely different tenor tour de force pieces that have Roland showing off a slightly Coltrane ballad sound on 'April Morning' and then pure Sonny Rollins trio voicing in 'Get in the Basement'. I don't recall exactly which piece it is now but on one of these you hear one of the first examples of Roland's circular breathing, a technique which only he ever made in the least bit interesting for my ear. (are you hearing me Irvin Mayfield?)
Kirk was the ultimate musical chameleon; he could play anything and sound any way he liked from Hawkins to Trane, and from Bechet to Lacey. He was a walking musical encyclopedia in much the same fashion that Jaki Byard was. No wonder that they enjoyed playing together! Mingus must have been in heaven to have the two of them in the band at the same time, it gave him a variety of tonal colors to play with that let him express his Duke-ness most effectively.
In my mind all these Mercury recording of Roland Kirk are essential for any jazz fan, so I will dig through all of them and bring those that still languish out of print to the Crypt. At least nowadays things like We Free Kings, Domino, Rip Rig and Panic and I Talk With The Spirits seem to stay in print so there is some evidence that the world is finally catching up to Roland. About damn time!
http://www.embedupload.com/?d=1DYXUPYWFL
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in flac of course
"Ecclusiastics" is a Mingus tune originally on "Oh Yeah" from 1961 - and, Kirk was also on the original…
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Good luck with the new blog !
Look for "Rahsaan Roland Kirk - Complete Mercury Recordings 1961-1965"
ReplyDeleteOf all the Mercury releases, this was always my favorite.
ReplyDeleteThanks KC
ReplyDeleteAnything by RC is by its nature bound to be inspirational - A Heavy Mingus vibe and that ain't no knock - Some really typically individual blowing from a master
Cheers
Thanks for the bundle of Kirks. Will never forget seeing him @ Ronnies all those years ago. Frightened me to death!!
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The big problem with the Mercury Kirk box is that it isn't particularly listeneable unless you take the time to separate and reorder it. It is a nice archive but you won't listen to it much.
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