Customer Reviews

Seagulls of Kristiansund: Live at Village Vanguard

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This set deserves the kind of classical status assigned to (say) "Kind of Blue," "Blues and the Abstract Truth," and "A Love Supreme." As pianist and composer Mal Waldron is a brilliant original. The present album consists of three of his compositions and must be considered as his masterpiece. The players are perfect for the occasion. Waldron, Woody Shaw (trumpet) Charlie Rouse (tenor), Reggie Workman (bass), Ed Blackwell (drums) all take extended solos and each is at the absolute top of his form. The title track, which checks in at 27 minutes, is a haunting meditation in which the interplay between piano and bass supplies only one of the album's downright thrilling features. The names of Workman and Blackwell should constitute a seal of quality on such adventurous, demanding projects as this one.

Recorded live, with an an extraordinary quintet, at The Village Vanguard, New York. Imagine! Woody Shaw (trumpet), Richard Davis (bass),Ben Riley (drums) and a Charlie Rouse (tenor sax) at his greatest. The title piece is a long and extrardinary ballad (more than 25 minutes) where Rouse and Davis play emotionnal, sometimes mysterious, but always charming and magical solos. You listen to it with the really impression to be on a Norway desert and wild beach. A fabulous musical voyage. But it's an american jazz game all the way!

Mal Waldron conduct this quintet as he play his piano, in a world of perpetual dream...

I wasn't familiar with Mal Waldron's music until recently although I've been a lifelong jazz fan. All I can say is "Wow".

This recording is an unforgettable masterpiece and one I've listened to a lot since I've gotten it. The title track is as unusual and haunting a tune as I have ever heard.

Waldron and company have a truly original voice and I can't believe I hadn't heard of this neglected gem before. A companion album from the Vanguard, "The Git Go", is almost as good and well worth getting as well

When you think that in the 50's Waldron was Billie Holiday's last accompompanest,did the seminal "The Quest" with Dolphy you might think his career would be brilliant from beginning to end.It was but this LP done during a magic year for Waldon (1985) was ruby among diamonds.It is a companion Soul Note to the other session "Live At The Village Vanguard".The standout on that half of the date(s)was "Git Go" and here it is th tile track and one of his best known standards (along with "Soul Eyes") "Snake Out".And what a band!!!!!!!his reed and Bras are two of my favorites of all time Rouse and Shaw and the trio has Workman and Blackwell.It couldn't be bad but fortunately it is everything fans of any of these players could want.All are known for being able to play inside/outside right on the edge.It all ends up with two must have LP/CD's.

Cheers

Chazz

I agree with the previous reviewer that this is a great album, but to set the record straight the bassist and drummer on this session are Reggie Workman and Ed Blackwell.

What can I say this cd is a great jazz album to madd to my collection. The reviews in stereophile magazine prompted my purchase worth every cent.