Marion Brown - Sweet Earth Flying

The first Marion Brown record I ever heard and still arguably his finest. My friend Mac turned me onto this  when he wanted me to burn his lp onto disc. It was like a gateway drug, I was hooked. Even though his band had recorded a song named for Marion Brown, I had never really explored his music. I was in  his hometown a few weeks after Marion's passing and I was thrilled to hear the band break this song out, if only for a few performances. Which has little or nothing to do with this actual record, which still takes my breath away each time I listen. It plays even now as I type and struggle for words.

 This record has languished too long in limbo and needs to be rediscovered and added to many a Top 100 list.

Sounding very much of its time - mid 70's* - if you are a fan of jazz of that period - you need to hear this. If you are not such a fan, now is the time to give it a try - no better place to start than here.

Marion Brown

Sweet Earth Flying

1.Eleven Light City Part 1

2. Eleven Light City Part 2

3. Eleven Light City Part 3

4. Eleven Light City Part 4

5. Sweet Earth Flying Part 1

6. Sweet Earth Flying Part3

7. Sweet Earth Flying Part 4: Prince Willie

8. Sweet Earth Flying Part 5

1-4 Marion Brown (ss) Paul Bley (p, el-p, org) Muhal Richard Abrahms (el-p, org) James Jefferson (b, el-b) Steve McCall (d) Bill Hasson (per)

Boston, MA, May 6, 1974

5-8 Marion Brown (as) Muhal Richard Abrahms (p, el-p, org -2/4) Paul Bley (el-p -1,2) James Jefferson (b, el-b) Steve McCall (d, per -3) Bill Hasson (per, nar -3)

Boston, MA, May 7, 1974

Impulse AS 9275


* 1974 I was a sophomore in high school, and wouldn't even discover Miles Davis for another year.

Archie Shepp - Attica Blues

This one is a rarity around here because it was taken from a cd. Not sure if it is available easily or not. Just posted it to friend's site to fill in some blanks. Thought I would share it here.

Y'all want my opinion, Shepp handles the large ensemble nicely. In reflection of its namesake, it's gritty and urban. Because it's Shepp, its not always easy to take. One of my favorites.

1. Attica Blues

2. Invocation: Attica Blues
3. Steam, Part 1
4. Invocation to Mr. Parker
5. Steam, Part 2
6. Blues For Brother George Jackson
7. Invocation: Ballad For A Child
8. Ballad For A Child
9. Good Bye Sweet Pops
10. Quiet Dawn

Archie Shepp (ts, ss)
Henry Hull, Joshie Armstead, Albertine Robinson, Joe Lee Wilson, Waheeda Massey (voc)
Roy Burrowes, Michael Ridley, Charles McGhee (tp)
Clifford Thornton (cornett)
Charles Stephens, Kiane Zawadi, Charles Greenlee (tb)
Hakim Jami (euphonium)
Marion Brown (as, fl, perc)
Clarence White (as)
Billy Robinson, Roland Alexander (ts)
James Ware (bariton-sax)
Cal Massey (flugelhorn)
Leroy Jenkins, John Blake, L. Shankar (viol)
Ronald Lipscomb, Calo Scott (cello)
Walter Davis Jr., Dave Burrell (p)
Cornell Dupree (g)
Gerald Jemmott, Roland Wilson, Jimmy Garrison (b)
Beaver Harris (dr)
Ollie Anderson, Jumma Santos, Nene DeFense (perc)
William Kunstler, Bartholomew Gray (speech)
Romulus Franceschini (director)


Prestige AS-9222

Mal Waldron / Marion Brown - Songs of Love and Regret

Sometimes your hands shake when you stumble across a recording that you have been searching for. And sometimes you stumble across one, and think "this looks cool, I wonder why I never heard of it."
I had the second reaction when I should have had the first. Why some fool dumped this off is beyond me. Praise be to the fool behind the counter that sold it to me for 8 bucks because it was still in an unsorted pile and he didn't feel like dicking around.

As is understood I am a huge Waldron fan and though I haven't posted any Marion Brown I love him as well. I had meant to post this shortly after Marion's passing but it slipped my mind.
This set is mostly covers , although a couple are pretty obscure. "A cause.." is a Waldron original as is "To the Golden Lady" by Brown. "Contemplation" is by Tyner and "Hurry Sundown" by Clarence Williams. The others should not need an introduction. The one remark I will say is Blue Monk (take 2) doesn't feel like an alternate take but mostly just a different take that was always headed for this session.

This has recently become one of my favorite recordings. The lyricism these two share shines on this lp.

1. Blue Monk
2. A Cause de Monk
3. To The Golden Lady In Her Graham Cracker Window
4. Contemplation
5. Hurry Sundown
6. A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing
7. Blue Monk (take 2)

Marion Brown - alto sax
Mal Waldron - piano

recorded 11/9-10/85 - Yerres, France on FreeLance records.

FRL-CD006