Loved the review. Well writen, as always, with really great observations. Though I just want to point out that overdubbing had been done before, even more extensively than Mingus would ever do. Lennie Tristano had begun doing this as early as 1951 - though it was still very much controversial, since it "sucked the soul out of jazz". Listen to his self-named 1955 album, and you'll hear a lot more studio techniques than on Black Saint.
Hey George, wonderful review as always (this album is one of my favorites). Your colorful writing, open-mindedness, and critical analysis skills have been a major inspiration to me, and this Important Album series is pretty much my favorite thing on the internet right now. Thanks for having such a fresh voice on such well-trodden ground.
A great masterwork in jazz, it is said that Charles Mingus himself considered The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady to be his finest achievement. No more, no less.
"today, there's a core consensus about it being Mingus' topmost achievement, one that took so much spirit and energy that he could never truly rise to the same heights of expression ever again."
Loved the review. Well writen, as always, with really great observations. Though I just want to point out that overdubbing had been done before, even more extensively than Mingus would ever do. Lennie Tristano had begun doing this as early as 1951 - though it was still very much controversial, since it "sucked the soul out of jazz". Listen to his self-named 1955 album, and you'll hear a lot more studio techniques than on Black Saint.
ReplyDeleteHey George, wonderful review as always (this album is one of my favorites). Your colorful writing, open-mindedness, and critical analysis skills have been a major inspiration to me, and this Important Album series is pretty much my favorite thing on the internet right now. Thanks for having such a fresh voice on such well-trodden ground.
ReplyDeleteA great masterwork in jazz, it is said that Charles Mingus himself considered The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady to be his finest achievement. No more, no less.
ReplyDelete"today, there's a core consensus about it being Mingus' topmost achievement, one that took so much spirit and energy that he could never truly rise to the same heights of expression ever again."
ReplyDelete'Let My Children Hear Music' begs to differ.