CHARLES MINGUS SEXTET WITH ERIC DOLPHY

CHARLES MINGUS SEXTET

WITH ERIC DOLPHY
CORNELL 1964 (2007)
320 KBPS

This is a brilliant, magnificent, previously unreleased and recently discovered recording of Charles Mingus's greatest band - or at least one of them - playing live at Cornell University, shortly before the European tour, in March 1964. The music is scorchingly good, endlessly inventive, full of surprises and played with a fire that only rarely makes it onto record. Pianist Jaki Byard, alto saxophonist/flutist/bass clarinetist Eric Dolphy, tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan, trumpeter Johnny Coles, and longtime drummer Dannie Richmond came together for the Mingus tour knowing that Dolphy would be staying in Europe after their gigs—he died tragically just 12 weeks after this gig. For a newcomer to Mingus' music, Cornell 1964 is a perfect start: three major Mingus compositions ("Fables," "Orange," "Meditations"), some blues, some strong evidence of Mingus' reverence for his musical ancestors, and a charming novelty, all played by what many listeners regard as Mingus' greatest band.

CD 1
1. Opening
2. Atfw You
3. Sophisticated Lady
4. Fables Of Faubus
5. Orange Was The Colour Of Her Dress, Then Blue Silk
6. Take The 'A' Train

CD 2
1. Meditations
2. So Long Eric
3. When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
4. Jitterbug Waltz