Customer Reviews

Tonight at Noon

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

 

 

I never have been totally convinced by many of the Mingus 'ghost band' recordings. Something missing. I think they finally put it together here, capturing the lyrical sensuality and ominous edge.

This CD is as good as any session this band has previously recorded, save possibly Times Square. It is fresh, compelling, and full of great musicianship. And Elvis Costello's "Beautiful Lady" is perfect: not too much EC but a fine add. If you like this band, add this one to the collection with little hesitation.

I think Lloyd Sachs review above is a bit misguided. This is a great CD, LIKE ALL MINGUS BIG BAND CDs!! The Mingus Big Band never lost its edge and this is another great CD to add to their catalogue. The Mingus Orchestra does indeed add a wonderful touch to this CD with much different orchestration than the big band. For instance, the guitar parts on "Eclipse" are wonderful and surprising. What's great about this album is that it compiles compositions from all throughout Mingus' brilliant career based around the theme of love. If you've read anything regarding Mingus, you know that he had a very complex experience and take on love. Equally, these compositions are complex. It's nice to hear the Big Band attempt "Black Saint". Nothing lives up to the original but this arrangment shows great respect for it. Elvis Costello's lyrics to "Invisible Lady" are interesting and make me view the song in a whole new light. Other stand outs are "Devil Woman" and "Passions of a Woman Loved". If you love Mingus...Get this disc.

Of the three MBB CDs I own, this one is my least favorite. However, note that I gave it four stars so it is still a very fine album. Eclipse is the best thing on this CD, Black Saint & Sinner Lady is awfully good and Sweet Sucker Dance is lovely; but Elvis Costello's contributions on Invisible Lady just didn't do it for me. Sorry, Elvis, I love you but.... I call this a valiant effort but (sadly) a miss. Frank Lacy's vocal on Devil Woman did not do much for me either.

I really wanted to give this one five stars, but it seemed to me there was something missing, despite some excellent moments and - as usual - top notch musicianship.

I was actually looking for an old Rasaan Roland Kirk/Charles Mingus collaboration of the same name, so I was disappointed at first to get this CD by the modern day Mingus orchestra. But, they play the old great tunes with integrity, and ideas, and soul.

This album broke new ground with me. I thought I knew jazz until I heard this. In this album we have new instruments (not used in jazz much), all kinds of timing variations and what I think is a great recording. You will not be sorry if you purchase this.

I wish I would have listened to the music samples of this CD
first. I agree these musicians on this CD are very good, but
I love big swinging jazz bands like Herman, Basie, Kenton, Fedchoke, etc. ect.ect. The Mingus Big Band sounded more classical to me. I believe when you play jazz music you should play strictly jazz music and not a classical sound in my humble opinion. If you want play classical music you should join a symphony orchestra and don't mix with jazz music.