Customer Reviews

Last Date

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Eric Dolphy's career was tragically brief and his studio output - particularly as a leader - quite small, with the result that live albums, most of them recorded in Europe with pick-up rhythm sections, account for much of his legacy. LAST DATE, recorded in Hilversum, Holland on June 2, 1964 (twenty-seven days before Dolphy's death; in fact, it wasn't his last show, nor even his last recording, but that's beside the point) is easily the best of these that I've heard, and ranks among the best of Dolphy's albums overall. The Dutch rhythm section, especially pianist Misja Mengelberg, provides an inspired context for Dolphy's matchless blowing on all three of his primary instruments, and the track selection, uniquely among Dolphy's live recordings, consists primarily of original compositions. Three of Dolphy's own numbers are featured: the alto saxophone workouts "The Madrig Speaks, the Panther Walks" (also known as "Mandrake") and "Miss Ann," both featuring the inside-out tones, slippery phrasing and indefatigable energy so characteristic of Dolphy's alto playing; and the bright, upbeat flute piece "South Street Exit," with Dolphy far better recorded here than in the undermiked version on THE ILLINOIS CONCERT. Mengelberg contributes "Hypochristmuhtreefuzz," a very Dolphyish piece which the leader essays on bass clarinet. The two covers, each over eleven minutes in length, are both masterpieces. Thelonious Monk's "Epistrophy" features an exhaustive performance by Dolphy on bass clarinet, as well as nice, tight solos from Mengelberg and the others, underscoring both the significant influence of Monk's music on Dolphy and what a sorry loss it is to the jazz world that these two giants of the "outside" never recorded together. Back on flute, Dolphy gives the oft-covered ballad "You Don't Know What Love Is" far and away the most beautiful treatment I've heard; this may be the most outstanding of his performances on that most demanding of reed instruments. It's worth noting that LAST DATE is also unique among Dolphy's albums in giving the least disc time to alto sax numbers, as that is usually his most prominently-featured instrument. A final brief comment from Dolphy - the only recording of his voice I know of, in fact - closes out this extremely satisfying album from a truly great and underappreciated artist, which is also - fortunately - one of the easiest of his recordings to obtain.

Dolphy is far and away one of the most sensitive and most technically sophisticated players to ever live. His music on this date is particularly sensitive even by his standards. It gives me chills every time I listen to it. In all of Dolphy's music you can hear him stretching for something. In this album I can hear him reaching what he was always reaching for...if only just barely. His flute playing in particular is beyond words...one can almost hear his soul being set free.
It is tragic he died so young. I have heard rumors Misha is holding on to additional recordings from this meeting; if this is true I pray he releases them.

Although previous reviewers pointed out the excellent quality of the music on this disc, and none of them mentioned the not-so-excellent sound-quality (due to studio-recordings that probably were meant for radio-broadcasting), I'm forced to comment on their reviews of the sidemen. Misha Mengelberg, Han Bennink and Jacques Schols do not just provide a NICE background; they provide an EXCELLENT basis on which Dolphy could do his thing so well. They where then, and Mengelberg and Bennink are still, part of the European Improvisation Avant Garde. Besides that, all three of them are citizens of THE NETHERLANDS, which is not a part of Scandinavia.

Now back to the music. If you like the exciting jazz-sound of the sixties, and you don't already own this album, buy it!! Dolphy will not disappoint you.

I first heard about this jazz great while listening to Frank Zappa's song titled Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbeque. Zappa was weird, but Eric Dolphy took me much higher. The album titled FIRST DATE featured EPISTROPHY - a Theo Monk song to which Eric did great justice. Eric's flute tour de force; YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT LOVE IS - strictly sublime, and MISS ANN absolutely soars higher than any jazz piece I've ever heard. Eric died young, but it was easy to see why he surrounded himself with the greatest (Mingus, Monk, Coltrane, etc.) musicians of his day. Mr. Dolphy just seemed to know what notes to play to elevate the listener to the next level, and I'm thankful he elevated me. CHECK HIM OUT

This is a gem of a recording. I have the 1991 (old?) one and the sound is just fine, in fact more than fine it's crisp just recorded yesterday fine. Dolphy doing Monk's "Epistrophy"? Are you kidding? Can there be any doubt? It's wonderful, joyous stuff. Dolphy had this just right balance between exhuberantly beautiful playing, and technically brilliant avant-garde style. And the other musicians are no slouches either. If you can listen to "You Don't know What Love Is" without shivers running down your spine, well . . . This is such sweet stuff. I'll be listening to this one on repeat for a week.

Fascinating flutist's (amongst other) final (close enough) concert is a bittersweet pleasure of nonthreatening Avant-Jazz, not devoid of formulaic trappings but mostly far past them with Dolphy's touchingly fluid work and serviceable backup.

Dolphy first album I've heard and I love him thence. He plays on bass clarinet - Epistrophy, Hypochristmutreefuzz
flute -South street exit and You don't know what love is - maybe most beautiful flute solo I've ever heard
alto sax - The Madrig speak, the Panther walks and Miss Ann - both superb. Great music. Mix of bop and free jazz. Dolphy plays with unusual feeling and emotion.
Highly recommend.

For this Dolphy fan, Last Date stands the test of time as one of his finest performances. Recommended to any jazzcat into 60's avant. Dolphy explodes on bass clarinet on his version of Monk's classic, Epistrophy. Dolphy, Epistrophy...hmmm? The drum and bass work is nothing special but the Scandanavian team does the job. The piano player (also Scandanavian) is a nice surprise with interesting melodic and rhythmic chord placements. All in all, one of Dolphy's best and one to go back to time and time again for new insights. There's even a quote from Eric after the final track. A must buy for anyone who says they're seriously into jazz.

What can one say about Eric Dolphy. This album is great. Misha Mengelberg, Jacques Schols, and Han Bennink provide a nice background, but are not simply amatuer players. the fact is...this album is cheap and great. for any lovers of out jazz. it is also good for straight jazz fans wanting to listen to more avant garde music.