Customer Reviews

Live in 3 2/3 / 4 Time

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

 

 

I owned this album when it was originally on vinyl and am really glad to have the CD version! Great stuff from the master of odd-meter jazz. Although a little rough at times (it was recorded live), the music shines and the musicians jam. You have to appreciate Don Ellis to get into this but if you're an aficionado, you'll dig it. The bonus tracks are, well, a bonus. I had never heard Opus Five or Seven Up (one of my new favories) before but they make buying this CD a steal. And how can anyone not like Freedom Jazz Dance in seven! The only negative I can say about this album is that now I want ALL of Don Ellis' recordings re-released on CD. You know, like, Live At The Filmore, Tears Of Joy, The French Connection, Soaring, and all the others. Please someone,let's get these albums out there!

If you are an Ellis fan, buy this CD. The tracks are classic Ellis, some unbelieveably fast, some slow and melodic. Freedom Dance and Bill Bailey Won't You Please, both in 7/4, are fantastic. There is even a piece in 4/4 called One Note. If I had owned this on vinyl, it would be completely worn out by now. ...peace...

The Don Ellis appearance at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 1966 was a triumph for Ellis and his new ensemble. The "Live at Monterey" recording (the first Ellis big band recording) ultimately went on to earn a Grammy award nomination.

Ellis's second big band recording, "Live in 3 2/3/ 4 Time," somewhat falls in the shadow of the previous "Monterey" milestone recording.

In addition to Monterey, the Ellis Orchestra also appeared in 1966 at Shelley's Manne Hole in Los Angeles for their first extended appearance and at the 1966 Pacific Jazz Festival in Costa Mesa, California. Live in 3 2/3/ 4 Time, also released in 1966, features takes from both of these appearances and basically continues the overall musical direction demonstrated in Live at Monterey. The selections on this recording includes arrangements of jazz standards as well as compositions by Ellis, Hank Levy, Howlett Smith, Ruben Leon. Collectively, the performances present a fusion of various musical elements including jazz, bossa nova, classical, American folk music, and the music of non-Western cultures. The eclectic nature of their selections notwithstanding, Live in Monterey and Live in 3 2/3 /4 Time are clearly stylistically-related.

However, Live in 3 2/3/ 4 Time fails to reflect the same groundbreaking ethos as the Live at Monterey recording and later Ellis recordings such as Tears of Joy (hence the four stars instead of five). A requirement for any true Ellis fan, nonetheless.

Ellis'use of different time signatures, quarter tones and complex and differnet instrumentation made him a true pioneer in American Jazz. This is one of his best albums as his band was approaching their tightest sessions (in my opinion). I hear his influence everywhere... electronic music, movie/TV scores, big bands... he is one of my favorites!

Brilliant, explorative and imaginative big band music on this CD brings together all sorts off musical ellements froma various styles of jazz and plethora of other musical schools and tradition.
And yet, with its strange rhythms,great soloists and innovative arrangements, this orchestra swings like mad!

Delivery Prompt, and as advertised. Good Quality and outstanding Jazz.