Live at Carnegie Hall [Live]

Charles Mingus | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 26, 1996)
• Original Release Date: 1980
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B0000033QY
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,487 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Mingus Must!, May 14, 2000

By 

riot67 (detroit) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Live at Carnegie Hall (Audio CD)

This live recording captures the essence of Mingus' larger band excursions and is somewhat more improvised than many of his other larger band dates. For one the inclusion of Hamiet Bluiett adds a free sense that is not usually evident in a Mingus recording. Also the ever changing Rahsaan Roland Kirk equally adds color to this Mingus' lineup. The band takes Duke Ellingtons "C Jam Blues" and changes the whole texture and face of the song turning it into a partially improvised tour de force that features Bluietts baritone sax work and kirks tenor and stritch. The other tune is a masterfull take on "Perdido" and it is equally exciting. The amazing thing about this date is Mingus' ability to assemble the best players in jazz in one band and come up with something as good as this. I only wish that I had been there to witness this incredible live performance.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jam session is right!, December 30, 2001

By 

"craigzz" (Lancaster, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Live at Carnegie Hall (Audio CD)

The other reviewers are absolutely correct in saying that this album is not a showcase for Mingus' compositions or arrangements. That should be obvious from the song selection, two of the most basic Ellington standards. It's a JATP-style blowing session, pure and simple, but what a blowing session! The soloing is uniformly excellent throughout, in keeping with Mingus' ability to draw the best out of musicians just by being there. However, the standout here, and clearly the reason for this album's release, is Rahsaan Roland Kirk, who takes two extended solos that absolutely stand the room on its collective ear. His consistent creativity, his amazing circle-breathing prowess, and his good-natured rivalry with fellow tenor man George Adams all conspire to bring the crowd to its feet. And check out his takeoff on Adams' trademark screeching style on C-Jam Blues! As Mingus said, "He's cuttin' him at his own s--t!"

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you are a saxophonist, you must own this album., September 15, 2005

By 

Matthew Seybold (Irvine, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Live at Carnegie Hall (Audio CD)

Much of the appreciation of Mingus is due to his compositions. And, to be fair, they are among the best in the jazz canon. So, one might shy away from this album because it contains no original Mingus work. Don't let that fool you. Mingus also had the reputation of bringing out the best in those he played with, including Duke Ellington, or, in this case, five of the finest and most underrated saxophonists of the 20th Century: Roland Kirk, John Handy, Charles McPherson, Hamiet Bluiett, and George Adams. As an experiment, ask your favorite saxophonist which soloist he likes best - don't worry, he'll be familiar with the album. I must admit, I like Bluiett.