clifford_thornton Posted June 13, 2005 Report Posted June 13, 2005 TED CURSON - TEARS FOR DOLPHY (Fontana 1964 / Arista-Freedom 1970s) This week's Album of the Week is a rather auspicious set recorded by the 1964 quartet of trumpeter Ted Curson, "Tears for Dolphy." Recorded in Copenhagen during a well-received European tour, the album features tenorman/clarinetist Bill Barron (pianist Kenny's brother and a regular foil for Curson during this period), as well as bassist Herb Bushler and drummer Dick Berk for a romp through odd meters ("7/4 Funny Time" being the most obvious), Berk keeping a strong forward accent, and dissonant head arrangements that seem to mark a turning point in Curson's music. The group met with extraordinary popularity, overstaying a gig at Paris' Blue Note club from two months to six before the musicians' union essentially kicked them out of the country, the Curson-Barron quartet did meet with some hostility for, ironically, the use of a white rhythm section. This was especially true in Holland, where, according to Curson, the German drummer and Jewish bassist were routinely booed and catcalled. Echoes of Curson's previous employers Mingus and Cecil Taylor are here, not to mention the freebop aesthetic that would inform his work with the New York Contemporary Five (replacing for a time Don Cherry) and Archie Shepp. Curson is somewhat of a missing link between the ephemeral quality held by Miles and the stabbing brilliance of Booker Little, a rare example of brassy bravura in an age marked more by the saxophone's sway. I will be posting some excerpts from an interview I did with Ted that will elucidate both what this record signifies, and Ted's experiences in the '60s. In the meantime, please post your comments on this somewhat underrated session here. Quote
Michael Fitzgerald Posted June 13, 2005 Report Posted June 13, 2005 A Black Lion CD of Tears For Dolphy from 1993 added three additional pieces from this session (previously found on a separate Arista/Freedom LP). Details in the Bill Barron discography on my website. Mike Quote
ralphie_boy Posted June 13, 2005 Report Posted June 13, 2005 I really like this one! Haven't listened to it in lately though. This is the only session that I've ever heard Bill Barrron on and he really shines. There is a great synergy between him and Curson. Quote
clifford_thornton Posted June 13, 2005 Author Report Posted June 13, 2005 A Black Lion CD of Tears For Dolphy from 1993 added three additional pieces from this session (previously found on a separate Arista/Freedom LP). Details in the Bill Barron discography on my website. Mike ← Oh yeah, forgot about the 'other' medium. Good extras, yes! Quote
clifford_thornton Posted June 13, 2005 Author Report Posted June 13, 2005 Bill Barron has a few dates as leader for Savoy that, I think, have been reissued on CD in Japan. The original titles were "The Tenor Stylings of Bill Barron," "The Hot Line" (w/ Booker Ervin) and "Modern Windows." A good further entree into Barron's playing, which was apparently (along with Gilmore and, later, Ayler) a major influence on Coltrane. Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted June 15, 2005 Report Posted June 15, 2005 Will have to listen again before posting anything more extensive on this, but I remember enjoying the compositions a lot here. Clearly more than blowing vehicles. Quote
clifford_thornton Posted June 15, 2005 Author Report Posted June 15, 2005 I don't think I've heard much of Curson that really is a 'blowing vehicle,' which puts him in a different league than some of his contemporaries (i.e., free-leaning hardbop trumpeters). The opener, "Kassim," slayed me on first hearing, that tidal wave of rhythm from Berk, with extraordinary weight placed on the 'one,' just surges in ways one rarely hears - plus, that slinky tango-like theme dancing atop makes it unforgettable. Following it, then, is a down-and-dirty blues, "East 6th Street," which makes for a perfect about-face. It's funny, "Tears For Dolphy" isn't really a lament (as Jackie Mc's "Poor Eric"), but a joyous celebration of improvisational art at a fulcrum of one of the music's most vibrant decades. Quote
clifford_thornton Posted June 15, 2005 Author Report Posted June 15, 2005 I'd add that Fontana issued another Curson, "Urge," which is unfortunately not on CD. Similar thematic concepts, but more 'out.' If you've ever wanted to hear Booker Ervin play Aylerisms till the co(u)ws come home, this is the record. Quote
Michael Fitzgerald Posted June 15, 2005 Report Posted June 15, 2005 I think that Urge is on CD - Fontana PHCE 1008 (1990). If someone could supply composer credits for that stuff for the Edgar Bateman discography on my website, I'd be grateful. Mike Quote
clifford_thornton Posted June 15, 2005 Author Report Posted June 15, 2005 Ah, the Japanese CD market - forgot that they've done everything imaginable (save the Watts on Savoy). When I get home I can PM you that info; pretty sure the LP has it. Cheers, CT Quote
paul secor Posted June 16, 2005 Report Posted June 16, 2005 I think that Urge is on CD - Fontana PHCE 1008 (1990). If someone could supply composer credits for that stuff for the Edgar Bateman discography on my website, I'd be grateful. Mike ← I don't have the Japanese CD, but have a Japanese LP. On that, all tunes ("Roy's Boys"; "Cinq Quatre"; "Musis Sacrum"; "The Leopard"; "Latino") are credited to Ted Curson, with the exception of "You Don't Know What Love Is" - D. Raye/De Paul. Quote
clifford_thornton Posted June 16, 2005 Author Report Posted June 16, 2005 Right-O. I was just going to go to the shelf and do that! Quote
JohnS Posted June 16, 2005 Report Posted June 16, 2005 We are getting ready to move house and this one was packed away. But I thought I'd dig it out and give it a play. I'm glad I did. This is a superb record, so good that I played it again straight off. Curson is on top form imo but the real pleasure for me is the large helping of Barron (also on great form) and the interplay and riffing from Curson. The bass and drums are not spectacular but they do everything necessarry to keep the music moving along. I was listening to the Black Lion version by the way. Thanks for suggesting this one Clifford Thornton, AOTW is alive and kickin'. Quote
paul secor Posted June 17, 2005 Report Posted June 17, 2005 Right-O. I was just going to go to the shelf and do that! ← Clifford - missed your post right after Mike's. If I'd read it, I'd have realized that you planned to post the information. Apolologies if I stepped on any toes. Quote
clifford_thornton Posted June 17, 2005 Author Report Posted June 17, 2005 Of course not, just wanted to be sure Fitz got what he needed. Was going to post some Ted Curson interviews but haven't had time this week so far; I'll try to do so over the weekend... Quote
mikeweil Posted June 17, 2005 Report Posted June 17, 2005 (edited) This must have been among my first 50 or so jazz LPs - once a week while my parents shopped groceries, I thumbed through the cutout bins of some record shop near by. I always wondered why Curson didn't make it a little bigger - isn't he in the same league as Johnny Coles or Richard Williams? I have four of his LPs from that time, and also remember his very good playing on Mingus Presents Mingus on Candid. Just on the edge between outside and inside playing. The title track is one of the most moving tributes to Dolphy ever done. Edited October 24, 2009 by mikeweil Quote
Michael Fitzgerald Posted June 17, 2005 Report Posted June 17, 2005 Thanks for the help - both of you! I always wondered why Curson didn't make it a little bigger - isn't he in the same league as Johnny Coles or Richard Williams? Gee - I think Curson *did* make it bigger than Johnny Coles and Richard Williams! And he's still around (folks love him in Finland, I'm told). Mike Quote
clifford_thornton Posted June 18, 2005 Author Report Posted June 18, 2005 True, he's been the emcee and, I think, main promoter-musician for the Pori Jazz Festival since the late '60s. Quote
mikeweil Posted June 20, 2005 Report Posted June 20, 2005 I was referring to the US scene - who remembers him there - besides experts on this board? Quote
king ubu Posted June 29, 2005 Report Posted June 29, 2005 I was referring to the US scene - who remembers him there - besides experts on this board? ← Well, stay assured the only swiss jazz fan remembers him and likes this album discussed here a lot! Other than that I have his Terrones/Marge/Blue Marge whatever label disc, "Cattin'" - not as fine, but good enough! Quote
clifford_thornton Posted June 29, 2005 Author Report Posted June 29, 2005 Yeah, that Marge is a great record. I really like altoist Chris Woods, too, though that is the only recording of him I have. Very Dolphy-esque in a lot of ways. I wonder if anyone on the board went to see him in duet with Henry Grimes earlier this month? Wasn't able to fly to NYC for the gig... Quote
king ubu Posted June 29, 2005 Report Posted June 29, 2005 Woods can be heard on this TCB release with Clark Terry: Horace Parlan is on piano, Victor Sproles is on bass, and Bobby Durham on drums. The disc/group is co-led by Terry & Woods. Serious fun! I see Counterpoint lists it for 16$. Quote
rockefeller center Posted October 21, 2009 Report Posted October 21, 2009 (edited) I was referring to the US scene - who remembers him there - besides experts on this board? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well, stay assured the only swiss jazz fan remembers him and likes this album discussed here a lot! Other than that I have his Terrones/Marge/Blue Marge whatever label disc, "Cattin'" - not as fine, but good enough! Spin TFD right now and it's being played in two Swiss locations at the same time. Edited October 21, 2009 by rockefeller center Quote
king ubu Posted October 22, 2009 Report Posted October 22, 2009 I was referring to the US scene - who remembers him there - besides experts on this board? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well, stay assured the only swiss jazz fan remembers him and likes this album discussed here a lot! Other than that I have his Terrones/Marge/Blue Marge whatever label disc, "Cattin'" - not as fine, but good enough! Spin TFD right now and it's being played in two Swiss locations at the same time. Sorry I missed this yesterday... was home completely exhausted from work, zapping around and watching boring football on TV Quote
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