Archie Shepp Quartet - Live In Stuttgart {MKV} (1990)

A recording taken from the 6th International Theaterhaus Jazz Days 1990 held in Stuttgart. A wonderful concert capturing the then Archie Shepp Quartet in action. The broadcast enables the quartet to showcase four great tunes, two Duke Ellington numbers, a Cal Massy piece and one of Shepp’s own tunes; included is a short interview giving some insight to Archie’s philosophy on Jazz and Black Music. He leads his quartet playing both soprano and tenor saxes as well as some singing on “Mama Rose”. He is joined by the fantastic pianist Horace Parlan who sets out some vibrant solos. On bass is Wayne Dockery again like Horace gets a few of opportunities to demonstrate his skills. Last but not least is the energetic drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith who clearly keeps the rhythm on a roll. The show was released on DVD which I converted to MKV for ease of upload, Enjoy! 

Recorded 14th April, 1990 At "Theaterhaus Jazztage", Stuttgart, Germany 

Musicians:
Archie Shepp - Soprano Sax, Tenor Sax, Vocals
Horace Parlan - Piano
Wayne Dockery - Bass
Marvin "Smitty" Smith - Drums 

Tracks:
1. TV Intro (0:30)
2. I Got It Bad [And That Ain't Good] {Duke Ellington, Ben Webster} (13:10)
3. Mama Rose {Calvin Massey} (11:45)
4. Dedication To Bessie Smith Blues {Archie Shepp} (13:26)
5. Interview with Archie Shepp [German subtitles] (3:22)
6. Sophisticated Lady {Duke Ellington} (10:40) 

Total Time: 55:16 

Notes:
Television Broadcast, 22nd December, 1990
Lineage: SW3 TV Broadcast > DVD > MKV
© Süddeutscher Rundfunk Stuttgart - SDR 1990

Archie Shepp - Black Ballads & Blue Ballads

Hmmmm....we don't seem to have spent any time here exploring the giant talent of Archie Shepp and I am more than a little stunned to have just now noticed this. REALLY?

I think a little journey into the Impulse recordings of Shepp AND Pharoah Sanders may be in the near future......

These two albums are such a logical pairing that I couldn't resist posting them together.

My first experience of Shepp was in the Impulse era and at that time I dismissed him quickly due to foolish prejudices and uneducated ears. Today I hear Ike Quebec and Ben Webster all over even his wildest work.

These two albums feature 2 entirely different, yet equally awesome awesome quartets, each is a deeply sensitive conversation over familiar and beloved ground. If you do not have these PLEASE don't pass them by.