Customer Reviews

Weary Blues

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

 

 

This is one of those rare recordings with a wonderful blend of poetry and jazz. There are so few examples of this blend represented in jazz recording history, although I am sure it has been more prevalent in performance. I looked for this for a long time on LP after hearing it on WPFW and never saw it until it came out on CD and I called up the DJ for the info. This is one you should definitely buy as it is bound to go out of print again... also look into the James Baldwin, which may also currently be out of print on CD temporarily as I have had people ask me for it.

Sure woulda liked it if the CD was split up into tracks, instead of one long track. Sure is annoying to have to listen to the whole thing in one sitting or not at all. Also, Leonard Feather has always been a bit square- and he does half the music. The MINGUS half is MINGalicious! Otherwise- please refer to the other more helpful reviewers re:actual content of CD.

It's just one big track and on the back of the packaging, it clearly lists multiple tracks.

The audio quality is not bad, as expected, but come on. Everytime I want to listen to any part of it, it's back to the beginning! Luckily, I just got the cd after losing my original 7 years ago and so it's all pretty exciting.

However, I have a feeling like this is going to get more and more annoying as time goes on.

No need to really review the album's artistic merit. If you're interested in it, you've already got a good idea of what you're getting in for.

I am grateful that I had the opportunity to listen to this CD of poetry by Mr Langston Hughes. First, the things I do not like about this CD are that Mr Hughes is a bit too melliferous at times bordering on laconic. I never hear the strength of conviction which matches his powerful words. Still, there is plenty that I do like about this CD. The legendary Mr Charles Mingus arranges, conducts and performs for the second half (i.e. second side of the vinyl album as it was originally released) and Mr Leonard Feather arranges and conducts the first half as well as writes the notes. Mr Feather writes that "The Weary Blues, the title poem of this album, won first prize in a contest held in 1925 by a magazine call 'Opportunity'." The words include, "Democracy will not come this day, this year or ever, through compromise and fear. / I have as much right as the other fellow has to stand on my two feet and own the land / I tire so of hearing people say let things take their course, tomorrow is another day / I do not need my freedom when I am dead / I cannot live on tomorrow's bread / Freedom is a strong seed, planted in a great need / I live here, too; I want freedom just as you." Twenty-three years after these words were penned, Mr Hughes read his works in a New York studio to create this album. Mr Feather wrote, "the Civil Rights revolution has drastically altered the state of our society." It is voices such as Mr Langston Hughes' that bring about such change. If you are interested in jazz poetry, this CD will interest you.

Langston Hughes&Charles Mingus are Two Great Minds.Hughes Wrote What Being A NEGRO Was About in America In A Time With Little Hope but Vision&Drive Were A Must to Have TO Survive.Mingus is One Of Jazz&Music In General's Greatest Teachers.In Fact The Same Goes For MR.Hughes He is One Of The Greatest Minds The World Has Ever Known.This is a Must.Get It Before It Goes Away.this is very Essential.