Emergency [Original recording remastered]

Tony Williams, Tony Williams Lifetime | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 28, 1997)
• Original Release Date: 1969
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B0000047GA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,888 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Too bad there are only 5 stars, June 3, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Emergency (Audio CD)

I was there when this band was playing opposite Herbie Hancock at the Village Vanguard. Tony had just brought John McLaughlin over from England, and he was recording 'In a Silent Way' with Miles at the time. I was totally blown away by the garage band sound and the exotic, funky Bley tunes. This was art. I wore out a stylus and the vinyl long ago. I remember the old ampeg amp and the stratocaster, the Hammond B3 and the mike inside the hi-hat cymbal. Wish I could give another 5 stars.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Down 'n' dirty fusion., April 5, 2005

By 

Shotgun Method (NY... No, not *that* NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Emergency (Audio CD)

Alright, I think we can all agree that the sound quality is atrocious, and that Tony's singing (think a hungover Dylan) doesn't do this album any favors.. but the music is hotter than a lava flow.

This stuff is raw, innovative (1969) fusion that thoroughly emphasizes the ROCK half of the equation. Not as sophisticated as McLaughlin's own Mahavishnu Orchestra or Tony's later albums with Allan Holdsworth, but fiery and inspired trio work nonetheless. Larry Young, McLaughlin, and Williams are all playing like they're locked in the studio with guns pointed at their heads; especially Williams, who was probably tired of being held back in his collaborations with Miles, and totally cuts loose here (listen to him on the title track--he's just not HUMAN, I tell you). And Young's cosmic organ kicks it into the stratosphere. Listen to him play off of John on Sangria For Three. Mindblowing!

Minus the vocals, this is landmark music and essential listening for jazz/fusion heads, as is the 1970 followup Turn It Over. About as far removed from the soundtrack of "Miami Vice" as you can imagine.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic record - real energy and essence, March 7, 2000

By 

Scott McFarland (Manassas, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Emergency (Audio CD)

Blues, rock, and jazz are all in here but strained down to their essence and played with tremendous energy. Three virtuoso musicians coalesce into something great. This is a wild wild wild trip and the music is a real layer of sonic energy. Williams' drumming it at its greatest and most idiosynchratic, and McLaughlin's guitar playing combines the best elements of his work with Miles and early Mahavishnu. Unlike anything else ever recorded and a real underappreciated classic work.