Customer Reviews

Charles Mingus - Live at Montreux, 1975

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This fantastic DVD supplements the great Changes recordings on Atlantic. The centerpiece performance here is an extended version of the Mingus composition Sue's Changes, which perhaps tops in excitement the recorded version on Changes One. The Adams/Pullen/Walrath Quintet is also featured on Free Cell Block F, and on the Devil Blues. (For Harry Carney is unfortunately not included in this DVD.) The concert closes with two performances adding and featuring guest artists Gerry Mulligan and Benny Bailey, performing a superb Goodbye Pork Pie Hat and Take the A Train. The sound quality of the recording is quite good--Mingus is clear and in great form at all times (this is definitely before his playing declined with illness)--with the exception that George Adams is a bit undermiked. There are many great images in this DVD. Anyone appreciative of the last great Mingus group will love this DVD.

This DVD is a rare treat for Mingus fans. Besides the VHS of a 1964 Norway concert (which is difficult to find), this is pretty much the only video release of a full concert of Mingus.

The footage is from the mid 70's, close to the end of Mingus' career. The reason I rate it at four stars is that it is not Mingus (as a performer) at his prime, although he does shine on a few numbers (the opening of the first track is worth note).

That being said, the tunes are all great and the addition of Benny Bailey and Gerry Mulligan makes for a nice expanded ensemble. Highlights, in my opinion, are Don Pullen's cadenza on 'Cell Block F ..." and Mulligan's solo on "A Train" in which he is accompanied only by Mingus.

This is a great DVD. It goes without saying that the band and material are fantastic -this was Mr Mingus's second greatest small group (after the one with Mr Dolphy in early 60's) touring his last great album. Don Pullen can play anything and find the brilliant corners, Jon Faddis was and is an original voice on trumpet and George Adams can sing, blow, gurgle and croon with the best of them. The rhythm section of Mr Mingus and Dannie Richmond is beyond telepathic - funky too. Opener 'Devil Woman' suffers a bit from undermiking and Mr Adams isnt quite on the stomping form he was on the album version, but by the second tune (incorrectly named, it's actually 'Remember Rockafeller At Attica') the joint is steaming. Personal favorite has got to be the demonically pretty 'Sue's Changes' where each member of the band takes an extended solo, and they all sound so turned on by each other they play out of their skins. If you're not on the floor by the middle of it, either cutting a rug or in devotional worship, then there's something wrong with the music-receiving section of yr brain. Forget catagories like avant-garde or even jazz -this is music.

This is very interesting DVD, deviding mixed feelings and opinions from all around... Well, for my money, the original tunes on CDs Changes One and Changes Two actually sound BETTER than in these live performances from Montreux, although the band (Charles Mingus, Jack Walrath, George Adams, Don Pullen, Dannie Richmond) is still tight and hot. Also, the visual quality ofn the DVD varies and, in the last (musically glorious) segment, when the band is joined by guest stars - Gerry Mulligan, Benny Bailey - the finest on baritone sax and trumpet one can wish for this occasion - the visual quality suddenly deteriorates (at least on my copy of the DVD), while the sound is still OK.

BUT, on the other hand, I'm still giving it 5 stars, for the sheer joy of seeing this great band (yes folks, I'm huge jazz fan and proud of it, with Mingus being one of the greatest divinities in my pantheon)... Also, I'm giving it 5 stars for the Benny Bailey and Gerry Mulligan segment, enriching the proceedings greatly...

And for Don Pullen's exciting piano chomping, comping and I-dunno-whatting... And for Dannie Richmond, the ole' reliable, with the cigarette hanging from his mouth as he struts his stuff...

This is a rather politically incorrect DVD (if you care 'bout that kind of thing) - Mingus smokes his cigar when he has a pause in his playing schedule, while the song "Rockfeller in Attica", as known from the CD, is given its real title (which includes two very derogatory phrases about USA - I'm not naming them since I don't want the amazon puritan police to delete my review...)...

Basically, if you love Mingus, get it. Admittedly, Jazz Icons: Charles Mingus Live in '64 is a better DVD,

and you also have the choice of buying Changes One and/or Changes Two instead... But where else will you get the Mingus band, starring Mulligan and Bailey, jammin' on "Good Bye Pork Pie Hat" and Billy Strayhorn's "Take the A-Train"?

Since I don't really know Walrath's and Adams' work outside Mingus bands, there's so much fine jazz for me to explore... And there's Bailey, another master I have to learn more about...

High points and low points often in the same song. Overall a pretty forgetable performance. I found Jack Walrath's (trumpet) performance pretty inspiring, but George Adams (sax) came off as a way over the top and annoying. I think I'll go listen to Mingus Ah Um right now to wash the taste out of my mouth.

An excellent concert based on the Mingus Changes Band with Don Pullen and George Adams. Unfortunately the DVD is not up to the task. Two different copies of the DVD will not play the last two tracks, Good By Pork Pie Hat and Take the A Train. Both DVDs were tried on a Pioneer, Sony and Toshiba DVD player with no luck. Proceed with caution.

Sorry to disgree withmost reviews here. I'm a big fan of jazz and Mingus was one of the true genius. Albums like "Blues and roots" and "Mingus Ah uhm" are must-have in any jazz collection.

Well, the idea of seeing Charles Mingus in concert was very exciting. So I get this DVD. Unfortunatelly he's totally off in this live performance.

The entire cocnert has a free-jazz flavor... don't get me wrong, I like free jazz but this is not the best genre to Mingus. Trumpet, saxo and piano solo sections are really weird, lots of textures, chromaticism, volume variation... and he's just fingering his bass without emotion, like he was bored and tired (in fact, he looks tired and bored)You know, it's very hard to give Mingus a bad review.

To illustrate better what I'm trying to say listen to "Take the A train" The rythm section was entering to the song head again and, all of a sudden, Mingus start soloing in a bad attemp to attract attention. The solo was terrible, dull and uninspired.

The video quality is not the best and the DTS track is so so, nothing espectacular. The performance is not the best but is valuable as a documental of a jazz genius performing live.