I only heard Roland Kirk live but once - at a college in Durham back in the 1960's. However, it was one of those "I was there moments". I floated home on a cloud (actually an Austin mini-van) oblivious to traffic, oblivious to the every-day world, my mind totally immersed in The Song of Roland. My wife thought I was drunk and I was, but not with mere alcohol but with an experience - a happening. I knew how Saul felt on the road to Damascus.
The band, on that occasion was, I think, all American although the only name I remember is Jimmy Hopps on drums. On this beautifully presented Gearbox piece of 200g, 12" vinyl, the band is all-British and they don't let the side down.
The recording is crisp and Kirk is heard to great advantage as is Stephenson - Tracey and Cecil less so. In a sense it's a bit like being in a club and sitting at a table next to the drummer. Stephenson is/was at the time arguably second only to Buddy Rich as the greatest big band drummer of all-time. However, this was a quartet, although with Kirk blowing three horns it could possibly be classed as a sextet, and Ronnie is somewhat overpowering. Then again, it added to the sense of being there and delivered a lasting memory of what it was like to hear jazz's greatest maverick in his prime and at his very best.
Like the Roy Hargrove/Mulgrew Miller album, In Harmony, this is also a July 17 Record Store Day limited edition drop (1000 copies) so start queuing now. Lance
PS: How I wish that Gearbox technology had been available all those years ago when I first started buying LPs!
Close Your Eyes; Days of Wine and Roses; Three For the Festival.
No comments :
Post a Comment