You could describe him as an enigma. A genius. A prophet. No matter how you describe him, Charles Mingus has left a large shadow over jazz during his time and since his passing 30 years ago. This week I wanted to discuss the some my favorite works by the great Charles Mingus.
Charles Mingus was not only a magnificent bass player but an incredible forward thinking composer. Many talk of what Goodman, Ellington, Gillespie and Basie have done as composers but not enough has been said about Mingus. Some may find it still hard to dive into his music because there is so much of it. I suggest Mingus Ah Um (Columbia Records) which is still widely available and celebrated its 50 anniversary this past May, as the best place to start.
If you don't own this recording you should; it truly highlights the genius of Mingus as bass player and phenomenal composer. This was a very large ensemble that originally gathered for a loose jam session that instead turned into a well-structured jazz session on the level of a classical performance.
If you would like to learn more about Mingus, I would highly recommend you take the time to read Beneath The Underdog. Beneath The Underdog is the autobiography of Charles Mingus and is a great page-turner. It will take you inside the crazy messed up mind that is Mingus. This is not just about the music. It is about his life. You will quickly learn how childhood shaped his attitude and how it affected many of his relationships (personally and professionally) and how it was brought out in his compositions.
Beneath The Underdog is a great collection of experiences written in every direction. It's not the typical autobiography but it does flow as if you were sitting in the room with him (and he wasn't looking at you while he was telling the story and cooking breakfast). Enjoy.
Below is a video of one of the most famous tracks from Mingus Ah Um "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" from 1975.
Great jazz drummers are hard to come by these days. You have to say one the most famous left us not too long ago in the shape of Elvin Jones. Roy Haynes, Paul Motian and Jimmy Cobb to name a few, are still alive and kickin' it with a lot of verve. So who among the new breed should you follow? Well, let me suggest Jeff "Tain" Watts. If you listened to any Branford Marsalis album you will have heard Jeff "Tain" Watts on drums.
Jeff "Tain" Watts is a formidable yet playful drummer. His song structure and delivery have become better and more exciting with each album. On his latest, simply titled, Watts (Dark Key Music), he has gathered some usual suspects (Branford Marsalis: saxophones; Terence Blanchard: trumpet; Christian McBride: acoustic bass; Lawrence Fields: piano) but as a unit they put in a superb performance over the course of Watts.
Jeff has a number of albums which have gone in and out of print so I would suggest if you see them used definitely pick one up. Most of his albums are available for download though. Watts is definitely the best I have heard him in a very long time.
If you can't find any of the others this is a good place to start.
Discography Megawatts (Sunnyside; 1991) Citzen Tain (Columbia; 1998) Bar Talk (Columbia; 2000) Detained-Live At The Blue Note (Half Note; 2004) Folk Songs (Dark Key Music; 2007) Watts (Dark Key Music; 2009)
John Taylor has been the consummate session musician even with a decent amount of albums as leader. He had an ongoing group with trumpeter, Kenny Wheller and vocalist, Norma Winstone as Azimuth (not the Brazilian group if you've heard of them) and worked on countless other albums. But it is Rosslyn (ECM) that I find one his finest. It is a beautiful, quiet, walking masterpiece in the Bill Evans or Keith Jarrett tradition.
Rosslyn is a true trio album (Marc Johnson, bass; Joey Baron, drums) meaning it doesn't feel like there is a leader. This is a team effort that blends wonderfully from piece to piece. It's hard to believe all this happening when John Taylor was 61 at the time. This is the perfect album to end your day with no matter how good or bad it was. A thoughtful and effortless work that I find something special in with every spin.
Not sure if this is an actual video or something someone put together but it works well with the title track. This album is probably the only one you will find at an actual record store so I highly recommend you buy it. Most of his other albums including Rosslyn are available online and for download.
Terry Callier is a living legend. Some people could compare him to Richie Havens but I would highly disagree. Where Havens pourd his heart into the politics of the day, Terry Callier shined with the sorrow of the moment. Born in Chicago, his lyrics reflect the deep spiritual nature and urban struggles of his upbringing.
Terry Callier had recorded one studio album for Prestige records and two live albums before his critically acclaimed Occasional Rain (Universal) released in 1972. Occasional Rain is a wonderful slice of sixties folk mixed with seventies soul wrapped with the undertones of bop. Pure lyrical poetry in my opinion.
Callier retired during the '80s and learned computer programming. He worked at the University of Chicago until a few DJs/Producers from the highly influential label Acid Jazz label came calling. Callier made a resurgence (mainly in the UK and Europe) in the late '90s with an album entitled Timepeace (Verve, 1998).
He has since recorded 4 more albums including the most recent Hidden Conversations (Mr. Bongo, 2009). He has collaborated with a wide range of artists including Beth Orton, Massive Attack, Urban Species, 4hero and Paul Weller. He is still somewhat under-rated in America but I hope more people get to experience his music because I believe it will transform the way you view music again.
There are 11 studio albums and 5 live albums and if you are truly interested there is a great import compilation called Life Lessons: The Best Of Terry Callier (Music Club Deluxe) which covers everything up to 2006 - Highly recommended.
Here are my top five to purchase:
1) What Colour Is Your Love (Universal) 2) Timepeace (Verve) 3) Look Out (Mr. Bongo) 4) The New Folk Sound (Fantasy) 5) Live At Mother Blues (Premonition)
If you are in the UK you should check him out on his upcoming tour. For the rest of us, check out his classic "Ordinary Joe" from Occasional Rain on the official site Terry Callier.
Charles Mingus
