We Free Kings

Rahsaan Roland Kirk | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B0000046XT
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #81,041 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Emphasis on music, November 7, 2000

By 

Tyler Smith (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: We Free Kings (Audio CD)

It is certainly true that Roland Kirk (later to become Rahsaan Roland Kirk, of course) was unfairly dismissed for the showmanship that included simultaneously playing multiple horns, producing odd and disconcerting sounds on nose flute, and employing strange instruments (black mystery pipes, for example). The showmanship overshadowed the undeniable musicianship and love of music he possessed. Still, Kirk sometimes contributed to the criticism with albums that included much commentary by him and less than stellar selection of material.

On this early effort (1961), Kirk turns in one of his best musical performances on record. (He was always best absorbed in person.) From the opening notes of "Three for the Festival," which became a mainstay in his repertoire, he is in firm, swinging, soulful control. As usual, we have the wonderful illusion of at least three Kirks swinging away, as on the bright "A Sack Full of Soul." We have the breathy, funky flute he mastered, in "You Did it, You Did It." And on the aptly named "The Haunted Melody." we have the surprisingly poigant lyricism of which he was often capable.

What we also have, though, is a top-notch group behind him, a situation in which he did not always find himself on his later Atlantic albums. Richard Wyands, an underrated talent who seemed to vanish after the '60s, is alert and responsive on piano, and of course there's no drop-off when the always-in-touch Hank Jones takes over; the great Art Davis contributes his always sensitive accompaniment on bass; and Charlie Persip hangs with every angular change Kirk offers, as on the great version of Charlie Parker's "Blues for Alice." Persip's snare work, in particular, shines throughout.

"We Free Kings" ranks with the great "Rip, Rig, and Panic," among Kirk's Verve releases (originally released on Mercury). Despite what the title cut might suggest, this is not an exercise in free jazz; rather, it is tightly and deeply in the pocket. It is a first-rate release that allows the true talent of this great musician shine through.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than Jethro Tull, October 29, 1999

By 

ADP (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: We Free Kings (Audio CD)

Most of us rock-music fans found out about Roland Kirk via Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, who got his trademark flute-attack from Kirk records. While I still enjoy Tull, Kirk was the original flute-monster, aptly described in the review above as a "one-man reed section." While this album isn't his most entertaining and eccentric, in my opinion--that honor goes to "The Case of the Three-Sided Dream in Audio Color," one of his last LP's--its bebop-influenced bluesy jazz stands up better against "Dream's" self-consciousness. The version of "We Three Kings" that provided the title is perhaps the best track, but Kirk's twelve-bar workouts "Three for the Festival" and "Sack Full of Soul" remain in the mind almost as long. Kirk acknowledged his influences with a cover of "Blues for Alice," but then he stunned--and still stuns--with the succinct "You Did It, You Did It," a short piece consisting almost entirely of the flute attack which is not quite like anything heard before, and perhaps since. Buy this!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars another great one from Rahsaan, June 25, 2006

By 

COMPUTERJAZZMAN "computerjazzman" (Cliffside Park, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: We Free Kings (Audio CD)

this CD is one of Rahsaan's earlier recordings, from the early-mid 60's, before he added "Rahsaan" to his name. I had the benefit of hearing Rahsaan before I ever knew about him playing multiple instruments simultaneously, so I was only introduced to his music by the quality of his playing and melody, which is always superb. Later on, when I found out about him and the things he did that no-one else could do (playing multiple instruments, his method of circular breathing to sustain a note, etc), it only added to my amazement of how talented this man was. Fortunately, I had the opportunity of seeing him perform live a couple of times before he died, and I can honestly say there will never be anyone quite like him again. this CD showcases his talent and you will not be disappointed