Blues & Politics

Mingus Big Band, Charles Mingus | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 17, 1999)
• Original Release Date: August 17, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Dreyfus
• ASIN: B00000JWCM
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,493 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #79 in Music > Indie Music > Jazz > Swing Jazz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moving, November 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Blues & Politics (Audio CD)

The inclusion of Charles Mingus vocals on the album creates a haunting and moving experience as soon as the recording begins. Mingus' attention to the composition of the form rather than the sound is evident even through the "Band." The journey the album takes is based on politics, though the flatness that that may invoke is quickly dispelled as the music takes shape. Outstanding, I will buy more recordings by The Mingus Big Band!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Classic!, September 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Blues & Politics (Audio CD)

I don't know how the Mingus Big Band does it - their albums get progressively better and better. This latest release was, to my mind, one of the groups best (perhaps second to their glorious live album). Truly moving solos - Seamus Blake's solo on Goodbye Pork Pie Hat gives me chills every time I listen to it - great selection, involvement from Mingus' son, a rare poem/free-from song from Mingus, and band members crooning about atomic bombs make this CD yet another timeless classic that is part of MBB and Mingus' legacy.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mingus Big Band speaking out, April 25, 2008

By 

Anthony Cooper (Louisville, KY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blues & Politics (Audio CD)

The Mingus Big Band reaches back and puts a tape of the actual Charles Mingus at the beginning of this CD. The first song mashes up Mingus on "It Was A Lonely Day In Selma, Alabama" with the Big Band playing "Freedom". I'm not sure it really works, but it does point out Sue Mingus is involved in the Mingus Big Band, since nobody else would probably get permission to use a Mingus sample. The CD gets going with "Haitian Fight Song" which, with its differing parts, sounds great with a big band. "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" is okay, but maybe not quite as good as it could be. "Don't Let It Happen Here" adds Eric Mingus' vocals to the Big Band. It's has promise, but doesn't cohere into a really good song. "Meditations..." is a great song, and the Big Band puts the song through its paces. "Pussy Cat Dues" is a pretty effective blues. "Oh Lord..." is similar to "Don't Let It Happen Here", but I think it's a bit better. Eric Mingus's singing sounds like his father's. At 16 minutes, "Little Royal Suite" isn't little, but it's a pretty good multi-sectioned piece.

This is a good CD, and the players are very good. One of the difficulties with a Mingus big band project is the struggle between the earthiness of Mingus' music and the precision needed for a larger ensemble. The original songs have a rhythmic looseness that's hard to recreate with a big band. Ultimately, I like the different takes on great songs, and recommend this to Mingus fans.