Customer Reviews

Clown

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The late 1950s were the beginning of a very productive time for Charles Mingus. In 1956, he recorded what many (including myself) consider his first masterpiece, "Pithecanthropus Erectus". The following year, he returned ot the studio to record what many consider his second masterpiece, "The Clown". While I'm not inclined to agree with that assessment, its still a rather good album and worthy of attention.

"The Clown" features two pieces that are rightfully amongst the most loved and revered pieces in Mingus' catalog-- the explosive "Haitian Fight Song" and "Reincarnation of a Lovebird". The former, opening with an unaccompanied bass statement features a driving, building theme stated by trombonist Jimmy Knepper and tenorman Shafi Hadi that grabs hold before melting into fantastic solos all around, particularly from Knepper. The latter, a tribute to Charlie Parker, features a fractured, arhythmic intro quoting a number of songs Bird made famous before falling into a cooled out theme.

These two are augmented by the title track, a bizarre piece featuring arhythmic playing interspersed with swinging sections over which Jean Shepherd speaks a partially improvised story about a clown that serves largely as a commentary about the cruelty of the human race. Its interesting, but largely not as essential as "Haitian Fight Song" or 'Lovebird'. The other track on the album, "Blue Cee", is the weak link on the album. A so-so piece, there were better performances on the session (more on that below) that I think would have improved the quality of the album.

"The Clown" is also noteworthy for being the first album to feature drummer Dannie Richmond, who would be Mingus' rhythm section partner for the remainder of his life, and who plays as though he's been working with Mingus for years, even though this was their first recording.

This deluxe edition augments the recording with two further tracks recorded during these sessions (and originally released along with leftovers from the "Oh Yeah" album on the album "Tonight at Noon"). "Passions of a Woman Loved" is ok, its pretty clear why it was left off the album, its a decent tune, but the reading isn't particularly inspired, and pianist Wade Legge's solo goes nowhere. But "Tonight at Noon", with its racing, breakneck feel, oddball percussion, and fantastic bass playing is essential and as good as anything else on this record.

A good album, particularly when augmented by the extra two tracks. If you're new to Mingus, I'd start with "Mingus Ah Um" (recorded two years later) or "Pithecanthropus Erectus", but for the converted, this is a worthwhile release.

My first reading of The Clown has just taken place and my opinion is that it is a understated and wonderfully orchestrated piece of musical composition. The cohesion works just fine with the addition of the composition's (Passions Of A Woman Loved) and (Tonight At Noon). This could serve nicly as a score for a film. The typical hard charging grind of the ryhthm section featuring Mr. Mingus on bass and the ever solid drumming of Dannie Richmond is right on time as always. Hadi and Knepper's horn contributions are stuff of genius as well. The interplay between the musicians is fantastic. The narration on (The Clown) by Jean Shepherd weaves itself very nicly within the framework of the composition and appears to be just what Dr. Mingus ordered. Being a jazz drummer and composer myself I can fully appreciate the consentration, dedication, energy and compositional talent that is displayed in this set. I am a die hard Mingus fan and this just adds to his huge catalog of musical treasures for the world to enjoy and appreciate. I enjoy the complete Mingus catalog and this one is a somewhat overlooked gem to be sure. Mingus the poet scores a knock out here folks. Do yourself a huge favor and pick this one up. If you love straight up brilliant jazz and classic composition's of not only jazz but any genre, then you will love this masterpiece. It's a keeper and a true treasure.

This is a very underrated album - overshadowed by 'Oh Yeah' and 'AH UM' but equally as inspired and enjoyable to listen to. This Mingus ensemble at times sounds like a whole orchestra - maybe it is just the intensity - especially on 'Hatian Fight Song' - where Mingus really propels the music by his own passion for the theme - which is almost primal. I think this is also some of the best work of Jimmy Knieper I have ever heard. This album and 'Blues and Roots' are my 2 favorite of the Mingus cannon - I urge you to listen to this one and let it take over your conciousness, if only for a moment in your life.

First, the good news: This album starts with one of Mingus' greatest longer songs, the propulsive Haitian Fight Song, appropriately rousing with a characteristically long, brilliant bass solo. Blue Cee is good, but a bit too long - the lovely Reincarnation of a Lovebird is more like it, his best ballad with the exception of Goodbye Pork Pie Hat.

Enter the title track.

The Clown itself is a spoken-word piece narrated by Jean Shepherd. And while his A Christmas Story is one of the funniest movies ever made, this is a complete failiure. It's not just that I don't find the story all that great - though I don't - the performances aren't all that interesting eitehr, so if you don't like the narration, too bad. I appreciate Mingus' avant-garde nature, but I'd rather hear that on A Foggy Day (In San Francisco) or Bird Calls.

"Blue Cee" and "Lovebird" swing, hard. "The Clown" combines an impressionistic narrative with music in an effective way, and stands as a unique statement. "Hatian Fight Song" gets a good reading, I believe this to be the consummate version. Those were the 4 tracks that constituted this LP, and they add up to a great and solid record. Two tracks from the session later included on "Tonight at Noon" are included on this CD also.

Prior to purchasing The Clown, I'd owned only one other Charles Mingus CD -- Oh Yeah! -- which I'd purchased many years ago. Frankly I was disappointed in Oh Yeah! It was just a little too out there for me and I didn't care for the gospel influence on many of the tracks. But when I heard the sample tracks from The Clown, I decided to give Mingus another try, and boy, am I ever glad that I did.

I'm a big Monk and Brubeck aficionado, and have gotten perhaps a little too comfortable with hearing Charlie Rouse and Paul Desmond's saxophones, so it's delightful to hear on these tracks a full complement of sax, trumpet and trombone, resulting in a fuller sound than a mere quartet can provide.

This reissue includes two tracks that were left off the original LP version -- Passions of a Woman Loved and Tonight at Noon -- both are worthy efforts, although the latter tends to push that envelope from subtle dissonance into outright cacophony.

The original tunes -- Haitian Fight Song, Blue Cee, Reincarnation of a Lovebird and The Clown -- are all wonderful compositions, well-conceived and more than ably performed by the musicians. The title track alone is well worth the price of this edition; at times playful, it transitions smoothly into melancholia, with moments of calamity sprinkled in, as Jean Shepard provides the sad narration. The overall effect reminds the listener of the fine line between comedy and tragedy.

Highly recommended.

Though I think the "II B.S." version of "Haitian Fight Song" is more fun, the latter, which is on this disc, has more of Mingus playing solo bass. "The Clown" is one of the artist's crowning achievements, about a clown who is only appreciated when he is depressed and suicidal; the song is actually, according to the liner notes, about the way Mingus saw jazz artists like himself: no one ever cared much until they were gone. The added tracks are good, as well. I rate "The Clown" as Mingus' second best, after "MingusMingusMingusMingusMingus."