Hanging around South Shields Market today - I'm an inveterate hanger around of markets - I came across a CD - Mingus Oh Yeah. I shrugged, I've had it on vinyl for years and wasn't really bothered about duplicating it on CD. However, when I noticed there was a previously unreleased 24 minute interview with Mingus by Atlantic guiro Nesumi Ertegun the three quid tag looked a bargain - and it was!
For those, unfamiliar with the disc Mingus Oh Yeah has the bass player on piano singing and playing some blues inspired originals. Booker Ervin, Roland Kirk, Jimmy Knepper and Danny Richmond are in there along with Doug Watkins who merely has to play bass in a Mingus led band - no pressure!
However, the interview is where my £3 went solid gold...
It's a fantastic insight into the mind of the man (and not an f word in sight) as he recalls his early days playing with Kid Ory, Louis, Hamp, T-Bone Walker and memories of others such as Blanton and Red Callender.
There are also some great Bebop Spoken There type quotes -
"If it can't be played by the composer he shouldn't give it to anyone else to play."
"If you make a mistake, remember it and next time make it part of the music."
A giant in every sense of the word.
Lance.
PS: Upon reflection I think this was possibly the first "Free" music I ever heard - I liked it. However, in retrospect, I realise it wasn't really free it just pushed the boundaries a little bit further.
PS: Upon reflection I think this was possibly the first "Free" music I ever heard - I liked it. However, in retrospect, I realise it wasn't really free it just pushed the boundaries a little bit further.
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