Monday, May 5, 2008

Charles Mingus - The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady (1963)

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Just bought it. Possibly one of the most phenomenal albums I have ever heard. An incredible 40 minute-long piece composed by Sir Charles Mingus (written as a ballet), performed by an eleven-piece jazz band, this epic suite-like composition is split up into 4 tracks, and I can hardly put this music into words aside from "mind-blowing." Described by All Music Guide as "one of the greatest achievements by any composer in jazz history," this album truly demonstrates the genius of Mingus as a composer, orchestrator, and technician. Just listen and be amazed.

Genres: Jazz, avant-garde jazz, ethnic folk-dance music (as described by Mingus himself), big band jazz

1. "Track A - Solo Dancer" - 6:39
             "Stop! Look! and Listen, Sinner Jim Whitney!"
2. "Track B - Duet Solo Dancers" - 6:45
            "Hearts' Beat and Shades In Physical Embraces"
3. "Track C - Group Dancers" - 7:22
            "(Soul Fusion) Freewoman and Oh, This Freedom's Slave 
               Cries"
4. - 18:39
     "Mode D - Trio and Group Dancers"
                "Stop! Look! and Sing Songs of Revolutions!"
      "Mode E - Single Solos and Group Dance"
             "Saint and Sinner Join in Merriment on Battle Front"
    "Mode F - Group and Solo Dance"
             "Of Love, Pain, and Passioned Revolt, then Farewell, My 
                  Beloved, 'til It's Freedom Day"

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