William's Song a Day Blog - est. September 2007

From: The Charles Mingus Quintet + Max Roach ; Year: 1964 (1955); Genre: Freeform/Hard Bop/Jazz/classical It seems me that I haven't been picking any of the more avant-garde examples of jazz for a bit now; figured I would go ahead and do so. In this one you get to hear two masters on the bass and drums really put on a clinic. Wot's interesting is that they keep it very listenable even to the casual listener. Hear Drums on YouTube. My song pick 1 year ago today: Neil Young - Sugar Mountain My song pick 2 years ago today: Return to Forever - Duel of the Jester and the Tyrant (Parts 1+2) My song pick 3 years ago today: Ozric Tentacles - Plant Music My song pick 4 years ago today: Luther Vandross - Never Too Much My song pick 5 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Living in the Past My song pick 6 years ago today: Hawkwind - It Is the Business of the Future to Be Dangerous My song pick 7 years ago today: Earth, Wind & Fire - Fantasy My song pick 8 years ago t...

This album was the last project that Charles Mingus was part of before succumbing to Lou Gehrig's Disease; the album was titled Mingus as a tribute to him. The song is actually a cover/re-recording of the song from his album Mingus Ah Um except with lyrics written by Joni Mitchell. On this album Joni Mitchell borrowed members from Weather Report to be her backing band. Jaco Pastorius actually played the bass parts on this album; one legendary bassist playing the parts of another legendary bassist. Hear a live recording of the song on YouTube. Watch the Shadows and Light live performance on YouTube. Hear Charlie Mingus' original on YouTube. +

I have been in a Jazz mood the last little bit and finally decided to add some Mingus to my list today. This song probably would not be for the casual listener and/or someone who is not acquainted with various forms of Jazz; it is quite eclectic in the way it was arranged. I get the feel from this song of what a three ring circus might be if it was sound instead of visual. Whatever the case, the song is incredible all across the board. Here is a fan video with the song on YouTube. +