Straight Ahead [Original recording reissued]

Abbey Lincoln | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 11, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 1961
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Candid Records
• ASIN: B000042ODN
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,987 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #68 in Music > Indie Music > Jazz > Vocal Jazz

Editorial Reviews

Digitally remastered and expanded edition of this album from the Jazz great. Contains the complete original album Straight Ahead, on which she shares the bill with such stars as Eric Dolphy, Coleman Hawkins, Booker Little, Mal Waldron, and Max Roach. An important musical work as well as an eloquent political statement, this now classic album didn't receive unanimous approval in its day, as Ira Gitler made clear in his Down Beat review, where he accused the singer of being a 'professional Negro'. The only known alternate take from the session, as well as all existing tunes featuring Lincoln from two other dates from the same period have been added here as a bonus. American Jazz Classics. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars hangin' on from year to year..., October 11, 2000

By 

"ramencity" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Straight Ahead (Audio CD)

This is widely recognized as Abbey's finest album, and I'm happy to see its back in print again. Not long after this recording her musical career was put on hiatus--apparantly no one would touch her in those troubling political times--a crying shame, as it means more albums of this caliber were not to be. (Her later recordings do hold up surprisingly well, however, quite "smoky" still, as my friend put it.) A stunning, powerful album with gutsy vocals that indict the many injustices of the day [and are still relevant]. Impressive back-up band includes Coleman Hawkins, Julian Priester, Booker Little, Max Roach. A Thelonious Monk cover with some fun lyrics. "Malindy" is the obvious classic; "Straight Ahead" and "African Lady" are two of my other favorites. A long way to go for a former supper-club singer... Maybe they'll reissue her album with then-husband Max Roach, "Freedom Now! Suite"...

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Mother Lode for this Wonderful Artist, January 19, 2004

By 

Rick Cornell "RC" (Reno, Nv USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Straight Ahead (Audio CD)

It has been 30 years since I listened to this on vinyl. I still consider it to be one of this artist's best. Her interpretations of "Blue Monk" and "When Malindy Sings" simply are unforgettable, and "African Lady" demonstrates her very strong tie to the third world. Ms. Lincoln to me is second-generation Billie Holiday. She doesn't have the widest range or the purest voice, to be sure, but what she has is the biggest heart. She comes to the table and brings it with everything she has, and in the process, creates something original. Buy this one, then one of her early '90's classics, such as "The World Is Falling Down" or "You Gotta Pay the Band", and prepare to be mesmerized.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No cute sexy music anymore, September 1, 2007

By 

Alain Robert (Québec) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Straight Ahead (Audio CD)

Just take a look who's playing here : Booker Little, Eric Dolphy, Mal Waldron, Coleman Hawkins and Mr. Max Roach and more: and Monk liked the way she sang "blue monk". A great album.