Customer Reviews

In Europe

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

 

 

The other review here refers to Vol 2. of this live material (and is also listed under that title). I'm sure that reviewer would sing equally high praises for the material on this disc. The jams on this are a bit more extended, giving Dolphy more time to stretch out. Highly recommended for anybody wishing to explore Dolphy, or fill out their Mingus collection.

Mingus in Europe has to be one of the greatest live jazz recordings in my mind. The first track "Orange was the Colour of her Dress then Blue Silk" is a true testiment to Mingus' composition skills and how his style allows for such a versatile group of musicians. Clifford Jordan's solo in this first track is truly a one of those "feel good" moments in jazz. The simple chorus allows for a mellow mood with sudden excitment in regular intervals. Eric Dolphy wails out a wacky message on his bass clarinet with lines of genius that make you chuckle. The quality of the sound on this live recording is also amazing. The only other live recording that sounds just as good to me is the Thelonious Monk Quartet - Live at the IT Club which is another amazing album. I would recommend Mingus in Europe to anyone who appreciates the rawness of live jazz.

This concert changed my life. It was because of this concert that I became a serious jazz musician. One thing though. The list of personel for this recording is wrong or at least incomplete. Johnny Coles was on trumpet, and in fact Clifford Jordon did not make the date which was in the afternoon. The place was so full that there wasn't anyplace to sit. People were standing. Also as an encore Mingus and Dolphy played 'What Love' The audience, including myself were openly crying with the emotion they created. At the end there was very little applause because people were just knocked out. They were quietly talking amongst themselves. The emotion was just unreal. In all the jazz experience I have had since, which includes working for Duke. Nothing comes close. All I can do is to try to recreate the emotion in my gigs. Talk about 'Better get hit in your soul.'
Of all the jazz records ever produced including Trane or Miles. Then this has to be one of the best three ever recorded. Sheer magic. listen to it.
Sincerely
Grahame Rhodes

Two albums from this concert from Wuppertal, Germany, have been released; this is vol. 2, though it doesn't actually say that on the cover. Johnny Coles is absent due to illness, but the core band sounds just fine--Eric Dolphy on alto and bass clarinet, Clifford Jordan on tenor, Jaki Byard on piano, & Mingus & Dannie Richmond motoring things along as usual. The basic material is all in the avant-blues mode that Mingus made his own, by turns lyrical and sardonic--"Orange Was the Colour of Her Dress, Then Blue Silk", "Peggy's Blue Sky Light", "So Long Eric", all pieces subject to Mingus's inimitable methods of variation, creating lengthy, complex structures on the stand. (It's worth comparing this procedure to Anthony Braxton's classic quartet discs of the 1980s--the idea's quite similar, though Braxton uses far more notated material of course.) In the middle of the album come two brief interludes--Byard's stride-piano feature & Mingus's rendition of "Sophisticated Lady"--which are both very good, but the meat of the album is in those three long tracks. Sound is very good on the first four tracks of the album; "So Long Eric" was originally excluded from the disc, probably because of some sonic problems (a lot of chatter caught by the mike, & a few other oddities, like the faint whistling during the statement of the head) but these are minor flaws--it's well worth hearing. These are some of Dolphy's last recorded statements with Mingus, & some of his best.

You just can't touch this, man. For me, what I love about hearing live performances from great jazz icons like Mingus, Miles or Monk (there's an M conspiracy) is how they take their standards and go off on tangents you never imagined while listening to the original recordings. This performance is a prime example. The studio version of "Fables of Faubus" on the classic 'AH UM' is all of eight minutes, but Mingus & associates take the foundation here and go on for half an hour. "Meditations" is very similar. I can only suggest that you come along for the ride. Granted, if you're new to Mingus, this isn't necessarily the best way to introduce yourself. However, if you're familiar with his work and you're looking to expand your library, or if you simply value great jazz regardless of styles or fidelity to composition, this is an invaluable recording. There seem to be some patches in the tape, but don't let that stand in the way. They don't inhibit the enjoyment.

Mingus ruled. This is more evidence in the trial. Come along and testify!

Mingus in Europe is a worthwhile investment into live bop bliss with a top notch group, recorded and presented in a way only palely imitated today.