Jazz at Massey Hall

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• Charlie Parker Quintet - Jazz At Massey Hall

Music reviews of Jazz at Massey Hall

Music Review: 4 1/2* Summit's Great; Summit's Just Very Good
Rating: 4 Stars

However, while the meeting is stratospheric, the results are mixed. Of course, each plays superbly, but the ensemble playing--the empathic groove between the musicians-- is sometimes uneven. This is not to take away any superlatives from individual performances or those cuts where the band is tight and simpatico, but, in reviewing the performance, one must (somehow) suspend knowledge of each performer's individual excellence.

The biggest culprit is the very uneven sound quality obtained from Mingus' backstage recorder (!). Mingus, in fact, had to dub in most of his performance later because he was recorded so poorly. Unfortunately, no one else redubbed their parts, and this, at times, dampens the performances of Powell, Parker, and Roach. The second overall problem is the apparent lack of direction in some of the music. Finally, the band's ensemble playing seldom wanders far from the familiar bebop grooves. (When it does extend itself, however, the band's creative impulse will jolt you.) Here, then, are the cuts:

"Perdido" (7:53): Dizzy Gillespie provides the only fireworks here. His dramatic dynamics (volume changes) are well-recorded, his rapport with Roach is unusually good, and he throws in a trademark whimsical musical "quotation." Powell has a long searching solo that features an excellent fluid-yet-choppy solo. Parker is somewhat less well recorded, and Mingus is limited to keeping the beat with a walking bass. Parker has some good riffs, but, overall, the song lacks direction.

The group hits its stride with "Salt Peanuts"(7:30), the best song on the album (along with track 4, "Wee"). Parker is really kicking here, with Diz yelling encouragement in the background, and the rhythm section has an electric, punching pulse. Dizzy's plays at a blistering pace: His bravado and virtuosity evident with every note. The great Bud Powell is not well recorded, but there's a prototypical powerhouse solo by Roach.

"All the Things You Are" (7:55): Perhaps the least appealing cut. Dizzy opens nicely, but the rhythm section doesn't mesh--there's almost a feeling that they're "reading" different arrangements, trying to find their way back to each other. The sound doesn't help either--Roach drops out about midway through the song, and Powell and Gillespie are either not miked well or are just strangely absent. Bird plays well, but without the necessary support it lacks emotional impact. Dizzy finally enters with a wonderful (if slightly over long) muted trumpet solo, simultaneous daring and melodic. Mingus, and then the rest of the band, deliver a solid conclusion, but it's too little, too late.

I think the other standout here is "Wee" (6:45), an up tempo blues with some of Parker's best work on the album, backed with flair and empathy by the rhythm section. Bird and Diz have ample room to paint expressively across the vast bebop canvas. Powell is better recorded here, and gives perhaps his best performance here. Roach is an acrobat, deftly tossing fireworks with controlled abandon.

On "Hot House" (9:18) the bass recording overpowers Parker's nuanced, brilliantly colored performance. At one point, Powell seems to step closer to the mike, and the sound is that much more compelling. The drumming sounds muffled, and, overall there is a curious lack of energy (though Powell wraps up with an outstanding bop solo). Mingus' solo, though initially barely audible, picks up for some of his most creative work on the album.

The famous Gillespie/Paparelli tune "A Night in Tunisia" (7:33) opens with a beautiful muted trumpet against an insistent, economical bass line. Excellent balance among the players, whether playing together, or trading solo adventures. I'm a huge Mingus fan, but, for some reason, he adheres fairly closely to a walking bass (although the range of notes is awesome); a more angular approach might have lent more interest. The group brings the song to an exciting conclusion.

I recommend this in the same way I might recommend watching an NBA all-star game. The players have not had enough time to play as a team, although individual performances can be awesome. At times, though, there is inspiring, flowing team work. By the way, for such an auspicious occasion, it is surprising that there are no liner notes. Brian Priestley's "Mingus, A Critical Biography" (available at ...) devotes two pages to the concert. Obviously, there are some flaws here, but I still recommend it highly.

Description of Jazz at Massey Hall

Jazz CDs

• Music > Styles
• Pop