Charlie Mingus"BLUES & ROOTS"LP Bullseye Label NM/VG++

$

63

* EXCUSE the photo. New Camera and I haven't a clue on how to get a good picture.

ATLANTIC 1305, 1959
Condition: Cover/ NM. Record/ VG++, couple of scuffs on side one.(Visual Grade)

Record cleaned on a VPI Record Cleaning machine.

AMG Review by Steve Huey

In response to critical carping that his ambitious, evocative music somehow didn't swing enough, Charles Mingus returned to the earthiest and earliest sources of black musical expression, namely the blues, gospel, and old-time New Orleans jazz. The resulting LP, Blues and Roots, isn't quite as wildly eclectic as usual, but it ranks as arguably Mingus' most joyously swinging outing. Working with simple forms, Mingus boosts the complexity of the music by assembling a nine-piece outfit and arranging multiple lines to be played simultaneously -- somewhat akin to the Dixieland ensembles of old, but with an acutely modern flavor. Anyone who had heard "Haitian Fight Song" shouldn't have been surprised that such an album was well within Mingus' range, but jazz's self-appointed guardians have long greeted innovation with reactionary distaste. After Blues and Roots, there could be no question of Mingus' firm grounding in the basics, nor of his deeply felt affinity with them. Whether the music is explicitly gospel-based -- like the groundbreaking classic "Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting" -- or not, the whole album is performed with a churchy fervor that rips through both the exuberant swingers and the aching, mournful slow blues. Still, it's the blues that most prominently inform the feeling of the album, aside from the aforementioned "Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting" and the Jelly Roll Morton tribute "My Jelly Roll Soul." The recording session was reportedly very disorganized, but perhaps that actually helped give the performances the proper feel, since they wound up so loose and free-swinging. With a lineup including John Handy and Jackie McLean on alto, Booker Ervin on tenor, frequent anchor Pepper Adams on baritone, and Jimmy Knepper and Willie Dennis on trombones, among others, Blues and Roots isn't hurting for fiery soloists, and they help make the album perhaps the most soulful in Mingus' discography.

1. Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting
2. Cryin' Blues
3. Moanin'

4. Tensions
5. My Jelly Roll Soul
6. E's Flat Ah's Flat Too

Pepper Adams Sax (Baritone)
Willie Dennis Trombone
Tom Dowd Engineer
Nesuhi Ertegun Producer
Booker Ervin Sax (Tenor)
Lee Friedlander Photography
John Handy Sax (Alto)
Jimmy Knepper Trombone
Jackie McLean Sax (Alto)
Charles Mingus Bass, Liner Notes
Horace Parlan Piano
Dannie Richmond Drums
Mal Waldron Piano

Insurance is extra.

Michigan residents must add 6.00% sales tax.

See our other EBAY auctions by using search by seller and using “recordcollectormichigan”

327 W. Nine Mile Rd.
Ferndale, Michigan 48220
Phone: 248-548-9888 Fax: 248-548-2180
Hours: Monday thru Saturday NOON to 9:00 PM (Eastern) Sunday: NOON to 6:00 PM.

GOLDMINE GRADING

MINT ---- It should appear to be perfect. No scuffs or scratches, blotches or stains, labels or writing, tears or splits. Mint means perfect.

NEAR MINT ---- Otherwise mint but has one or two tiny inconsequential flaws that do not affect play. Covers should be close to perfect with minor signs of wear or age just becoming evident: slight ring-wear, minor denting to a corner, or writing on the cover should all be noted properly.

VERY GOOD PLUS ---- The record has been handled and played infrequently or very carefully. Not too far from perfect. On a disc, there may be light paper scuffs from sliding in and out of a sleeve or the vinyl or some of the original luster may be lost. A slight scratch that did not affect play would be acceptably VG+ for most collectors.

VERY GOOD ---- Record displays visible signs of handling and playing, such as loss of vinyl luster, light surface scratches, groove wear and spindle trails. Some audible surface noise, but should not overwhelm the musical experience. Usually a cover is VG when one or two of these problems are evident: ring wear, seam splits, bent corners, loss of gloss, stains, etc.

GOOD ---- Well played with little luster and significant surface noise. Despite defects, record should still play all the way through without skipping. Several cover flaws will be apparent, but should not obliterate the artwork.

POOR ---- Any record or cover that does not qualify for the above "Good" grading should be seen as Poor. Several cover flaws.