Archie Shepp "Four for Trane" opinions?

[riverrat]

What can the experts, and/or anyone who has heard this session tell me about it? I'm not a huge fan of free and avante garde, but this seems early enough in Shepp's career that it might not be too wild...please advise!

[J Larsen]

It's not totally straight ahead, but it's not totally free and wild either. In a way it reminds me just a *bit* of Sun Ra in the backing horn arrangements - especially in the first track. (I suspect I'll get a few :confused:s for that.) Some of Shepp's solos do have a bit of an intentionally ragged sound to them. It's a good date, but I probably only reach for it once or twice a year. If you just want a bit of Shepp in your collection but you don't want anything too free, I'd say this is a good choice.

[Mnytime]

A classic that I would highly recommend to you!

P.S. Did you get my last email to you? I still haven't recieved a response.

[David Ayers]

One of Shepp's best, an awesome debut as leader, and with well selected support from Rudd and Tchicai, among others. Not to be missed, even if you only want to sample one disk by Shepp.

[riverrat]

Wow, that was fast. Just what I used to love about the BNBB, and now here. Thanks folks!

Mnytime, sent you a PM.

[AfricaBrass]

2 great albums with 2 great covers:

http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/dre900/e956/e95666f7ncd.jpg http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drd400/d434/d4344681m9l.jpg

[JSngry]

Get it.

Got it?

Good!

[riverrat]

Got it! Well, ordered it anyway, at the Tower sale. LOTS of excellent deals there, by the way. Several JRVG titles, and many other Japan imports for $15 or less. The Shepp is, I believe, one of the Japanese Impulses, which sound EXCELLENT.

If interested, go to Tower's website, click on the sale logo, then "music", then "jazz" then "imports", and about 12 pages of them come up. Free 2-day shipping on orders over $100, which is pretty easy to do...

Among others, I picked up a couple Phineas Newborn titles there. I can't believe I didn't have any of his music until now, but then you don't hear alot about him, or at least I hadn't.

[J Larsen]

Wow!! Is this sale going on in the brick and mortars too? I hear they often aren't able to fill online orders for imports, but my local Towers do have some nice ones in their racks.

[ralphie_boy]

I agree w/ J. Larsen. Not too out, but it definitely has it's moments. If you're a newbie to Shepp, this is a good starting point. I prefer some of his more avant work such as Fire Music, Live in SF and On This Night. It's all good! Check it out.

[Mnytime]

Marion Brown's Three for Shepp is a keeper as well!

[Adam]

Someone should do an album called "Two for Brown."

[SEK]

I probably play Archie Shepp's "Four for Trane" more than any of his other disks. I love the arranged ensemble playing among the horns, which is often available on his other Impulse recordings, but usually in smaller doses. BTW, my other favorite Archie Shepp Impulse recording is "Magic of Juju", which features Shepp's more extended and high-intensity blowing over a larger percussion ensemble.

[JSngry]

Originally posted by Adam
Someone should do an album called "Two for Brown."

And quit there. Pretty much EVERYBODY'S done "One For The Money"...

[David Ayers]

And Shepp has also done 'One for the Trane', as well as 'Three for a Quarter One for a Dime'.

[jazzypaul]

of course, Bing Crosby did "Brother Can You Spare a Dime"

and Henry Threadgill did "Too Much Sugar for a Dime."

And Stanley Turrentine did "Sugar"

[JSngry]

Hmmm, David and Paul done got me to thinkin'...

Maybe I'll do one called "A Dime Bag Of Sugar" and subtitle it "Too Much Time For Too Little Crime".

Obviously, a work in progress....

[riverrat]

I just learned that the Japanese Impulse version of the Shepp was the only CD that was not shipped, and cancelled from my Tower order. They told me it is no longer available.

Does anyone know if this is true? If so, how does the US version sound?

Thanks.

[Mnytime]

Originally posted by SEK
I probably play Archie Shepp's "Four for Trane" more than any of his other disks. I love the arranged ensemble playing among the horns, which is often available on his other Impulse recordings, but usually in smaller doses. BTW, my other favorite Archie Shepp Impulse recording is "Magic of Juju", which features Shepp's more extended and high-intensity blowing over a larger percussion ensemble.


I think it was a mistake to start the Magic of JuJu with the title track, which blows away everything that comes after it. Everything that comes after the title track is a major let down in comparision. Though the other tracks are damn good tracks. It's just the first track is one of Shepp's best and most smoking playing. IMHO



riverrat

The US remastered version of Four for Trane sounds fine to me, but I haven't heard the Japanese to compare the two. I don't have my copy in front of me but I believe it was one of those that was reissued by Michael Cuscuna. I think it was a 20 bit remastering as well.

[ralphie_boy]

I agree, the U.S. version of Four For Trane sounds fine.

Anyone hear Attica Blues yet? I understand it's a bit of a departure from his earlier Impulse work?

[JohnS]

One of my all time favourites. I heard it first when it was intially released, I was knocked out by it then and I've loved it ever since. It really changed my listening.

[SEK]

Originally posted by Mnytime



I think it was a mistake to start the Magic of JuJu with the title track, which blows away everything that comes after it. Everything that comes after the title track is a major let down in comparision. Though the other tracks are damn good tracks. It's just the first track is one of Shepp's best and most smoking playing. IMHO

I agree that "Magic of JuJu" is a standout track. As you know, it first came out on Lp. "Magic of JuJu" was side 1, the rest of the program was on side 2; back then, one had more than 5 seconds to let the Magic linger. In fact, I remember rarely turning the record over.

The CD has actually increased my appreciation for what used to be the flip side of the Lp, which contains what would be superior compositions in many contexts, and they serve to round out a satisfying program.

[Hackensack]

I'd say Attica Blues is a more than a bit of a departure. As pretty much a Shepp-head, I ordered this one when I saw how cheap it was at CDUniverse, based in part on a rave at AMG, which ends:

Attica Blues is one of Shepp's most successful large-group projects, because his skillful handling of so many different styles of black music produces such tremendously groovy results

If this is one of his most successful, I'll stick to the small group projects, thanks. The CD is very short: 37 min., includes a couple of spoken-word "invocations" and all of the cuts are vocals, on some of which Shepp only plays obbligatos. He has a nice soprano solo on Steam, Pt. 2 before Joe Lee Wilson's vocals, in that ripe tenor style begin. The funky title cut is very funky with wailing vocals, heavy electric bass grooves, and a cast of thousands. Blues for Brother George Jackson has nice solos by Roy Burrowes (t), Marion Brown, and Shepp. Ballad For a Child is a pleasant motown ballad, sparked by a nice Shepp minute. The longest track (6:12) is another ballad sung by Cal Massey's 6- or 7- year old son, in nothing remotely resembling the right key.

I suppose it's interesting as a relic of its era, but I'd put it at the bottom of--and well below--my other 16 Shepp titles. In fact, it can be yours for $1 below the CDU price, and I'll pay the postage!