Tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp's third release for the Impulse label collects valuable loose ends recorded between March and August 1965. Among the highlights are a passionate reading of Duke Ellington's "In a Sentimental Mood" and the title piece, a moving tribute to W.E.B. DuBois, featuring the haunting soprano vocalist Christine Spencer employing a distinct 20th century classical influence, with Shepp on piano. Shepp is the solo horn on these dates, playing at peak form with contributions from vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson early in his career, David Izenzon or Henry Grimes on bass, and four rotating drummers, including Rashied Ali, J.C. Moses, Joe Chambers, and Ed Blackwell, playing a variety of percussion. Al Campbell
Tracklist :
1 On This Night (If That Great Day Would Come) 10'00
Bass – Henry Grimes
Drums – Rashied Ali
Tenor Saxophone, Piano – Archie Shepp
Timpani – Joe Chambers
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Bobby Hutcherson
Vocals [Soprano Voice] – Chirstine Spencer
2 The Mac Man 7'27
Bass – Henry Grimes
Drums – Rashied Ali
Percussion [Rhythm Logs] – Ed Blackwell
Tenor Saxophone – Archie Shepp
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Bobby Hutcherson
3 The Mac Man (Alternate Take) 9'27
Bass – Henry Grimes
Drums – Rashied Ali
Percussion [Rhythm Logs] – Ed Blackwell
Tenor Saxophone – Archie Shepp
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Bobby Hutcherson
4 The Original Mr. Sonny Boy Williamson 5'58
Bass – Henry Grimes
Drums – J.C. Moses
Percussion [Rhythm Logs] – Ed Blackwell
Tenor Saxophone – Archie Shepp
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Bobby Hutcherson
5 In A Sentimental Mood 3'18
Bass – Henry Grimes
Drums – Joe Chambers
Tenor Saxophone – Archie Shepp
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Bobby Hutcherson
Written-By – Duke Ellington
6 The Chased (Take 1) 11'42
Bass – David Izenzon
Drums – J.C. Moses
Tenor Saxophone – Archie Shepp
7 The Chased (Take 2) 6'10
Bass – David Izenzon
Drums – J.C. Moses
Tenor Saxophone – Archie Shepp
8 The Chased (Take 3) 5'11
Bass – David Izenzon
Drums – J.C. Moses
Tenor Saxophone – Archie Shepp
9 The Pickaninny (Picked Clean -- No More -- Or Can You Back Back Doodlebug) 7'22
Bass – David Izenzon
Drums – J.C. Moses
Tenor Saxophone – Archie Shepp
10 Malcolm, Malcolm, Malcolm, Semper Malcolm 4'50
Bass – David Izenzon
Drums – J.C. Moses
Tenor Saxophone, Voice [Recitation] – Archie Shepp
Note:
Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on August 12, 1965 (#1-5) and March 9, 1965 (#6-10)
Tracks 3, 6 to 8, 10: Bonus cuts, not included on the original album [tray insert]
"Gingerbread, Gingerbread Boy" which appeared on the original LP of On This Night, was recorded live at Newport and now appears on the CD of New Thing At Newport by Shepp and John Coltrane.
"Malcolm" originally appeared on Fire Music (AS-86). The Third Take of "The Chase" originally appeared on The Definitive Jazz Scene - Volume Three (AS 9101). The first two takes of "The Chase" and the alternate take of "The Mac Man" first appeared on Further Fire Music (IA-9357). The output of these August and March, 1965 sessions is presented completely on this CD.
[booklet]
No, this isn't a long-lost ESP session despite the label. It's a tape from Rashied Ali's club made in 1974 celebrating both a visit by Frank Wright from his base in Paris, and a dedication to the memory of Albert Ayler. Backing Wright was James Blood Ulmer on guitar, Benny Wilson on bass, and Rashied Ali on drums and they were assembled just for the occasion. It's a blowing session for sure, with everyone getting plenty of solo space, but it's not an all-out firestorm. There's a theme that they return to throughout and Wright comes from a jump blues background and even his outside playing is informed by that. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this recording is hearing how advanced Ulmer's harmolodic playing is at this stage, well before he recorded with Ornette Coleman. He even takes a very unorthodox wah-wah solo at one point. It's certainly a long way from his work with Big John Patton for Blue Note just a few years prior. This is a great, historic session captured in surprisingly excellent sound that we're lucky to have. Sean Westergaard
