Charles Mingus with Eric Dolply

[kh1958]

The Impro Jazz label has released two DVDs which feature performances by Charles Mingus. Perhaps hoping to escape the ire of Sue Mingus (or is Eric Dolphy now more marketable than Mingus?), these DVDs have been released under the name of Eric Dolphy.

One has been out awhile--Eric Dolphy in Europe, 1961-64. Half of this disc (about 50 minutes) is the Mingus Sextet performing in Oslo, Norway on April 12, 1964. This performance was available in the U.S. previously on VHS, but I don't think it was out on DVD.

The recent release is Eric Dolphy, Stockholm 1964, Antibes 1960. The Stockholm performance is a 30 minute rehearsal session that appears to have been filmed for a TV special. No audience is present. This one starts with the 78 version of So Long Eric--about 2 and a half minutes long (it isn't incomplete, just accelerated). Then a wonderful 17 minute version of Meditations is performed. The show closes with another version of So Long Eric, for about 8 minutes or so. This is a very excellent performance (I don't think I've heard this before), and the video, if not Jazz Icons quality, is at least decent.

Next, and even more surprisingly, the DVD features a single song from the great Mingus at Antibes performance--I'll Remember April, the track where Bud Powell sits in. Again, the video is decent--in addition to Powell, this performance features a remarkable sequence of trading fours by Dolphy and Booker Ervin. I've never seen Booker on film before, but he looks so nonchalant as he breathes fire.

Edited February 24, 2007 by kh1958

[jazzbo]

Yes, Da Bastads at Dusty have been selling that second one. . . I grabbed it a few weeks ago. Nice! I'd never heard that Stockholm before I don't think. Some interesting moments (like Eric picking Danny's cymbal back up and putting it in place backwards, Danny ending the whole thing all of a sudden for what reason? I can't tell).

[Scott Dolan]

Guess I know where I need to visit today. Thanks for the heads up, kh. I didn't realize these were on the market!!

Though, I wish they would have included Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting from Antibes....

[Claude]

They have probably included all the Antibes footage that is publicly available, i.e which has been released previously on VHS or aired on TV.

This DVD label works like the spanish CD labels, they don't have access to archives but take the material from public sources. Check if there is a masked TV station logo in the picture

[kh1958]

dustygroove has the best price for these jazz impro releases ($13.99), but they seem to only get a few in at a time.

jazzloft has a much better selection, but is more expensive ($18.99).

[tatifan]

Netflix has Eric Dolphy in Europe, 1961-64, btw. Most of this label, in fact. Why they don't carry Jazz Icons is a bit more of a mystery.

Edited March 24, 2007 by tatifan

[JPF]

Netflix has Eric Dolphy in Europe, 1961-64, btw. Most of this label, in fact. Why they don't carry Jazz Icons is a bit more of a mystery.

I've written to Netflix about carrying the Jazz Icons series and gotten no response at all. Maybe if a few more people wrote, they'd start listening................?

[Cliff Englewood]

I have both of these, and watched them both last night, they're well worth getting even if one of them is a bit short, around 40 mins, I think it's the one with the Antibes footage.

[JPF]

Netflix has Eric Dolphy in Europe, 1961-64, btw. Most of this label, in fact. Why they don't carry Jazz Icons is a bit more of a mystery.

I've written to Netflix about carrying the Jazz Icons series and gotten no response at all. Maybe if a few more people wrote, they'd start listening................?

I'm pleased to pass on the information that Netflix is now carrying the whole Jazz Icons series.

[Ken Dryden]

I have both these DVDs and have enjoyed them.

Has there been a discussion of the upcoming Mingus Sextet 2 CD set at Cornell 1964, to be issued by

Blue Note in July? I already have an advance and it is a good performance, even if it seems to be in mono.

[kh1958]

I have both these DVDs and have enjoyed them.

Has there been a discussion of the upcoming Mingus Sextet 2 CD set at Cornell 1964, to be issued by

Blue Note in July? I already have an advance and it is a good performance, even if it seems to be in mono.

Yes.

http://www.organissimo.org/forum/index.php...mp;#entry647871

Most, if not all of the recordings of this group are mono.