Customer Reviews

European Tour 1977

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

 

 

he might have written something like "Spangled Banner Minor and Other Patriotic Songs" which... plunders not only "The Star Spangled Banner," but "Deutschland Uber Alles," "La Marseillaise," and the "Colonel Bogey March" as well (hey, this was a _European_ tour). This disk is dated in a pleasant sort of way: some of the soloing is pretty "out there" and due to the economics, it is hard to imagine anyone touring today with a band like this one, consisting of ten musicians each formidable soloists in their own right. Bley's writing and arranging are strong. The 19 minute "Spangled Banner Minor..." is the standout cut.

This is a genre bending classic. What a band (10 greats who can all lead and all solo). The compositions are very effective : plenty of room for the players to play while developing a defined framework and direction. Definitely some of the best I've heard from her, but there are many I haven't heard yet.

The first side smokes. The second side is a bit more whimsical as she often seems to be, though they get very free after the main set of themes. (It was of course an LP first).

Lush & dense spiky highbrow cocktail music.... intimate semi-big band which at times sounds like a fantasy of charles ives, frank zappa, & charles mingus, all playing together in one room.. Even tho the year is 1977, there are elements that are a precursor to what later became known as "world music". Every member of the troop plays acutely. Great Fun.