scoos_those_ blues Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 It strikes me that a lot of the most famous free jazz is rather frenetic, discordant and jarring to listen to. This is not a comment on the artistic merit of those recordings. Just an objective observation. Can anyone recommend some free jazz that is serene or peaceful? Examples might include the Jimmy Giuffre 3 recordings which are obviously not "free jazz," or jazz of the sixties, but which are a step in the direction I am thinking of. All suggestions are very welcome! Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 Art Ensemble of Chicago - People In Sorrow. Quote
Joe Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 Marion Brown, AFTERNOON OF A GEORGIA FAUN Muhal Richard Abrams, YOUNG AT HEART / WISE IN TIME Quote
clifford_thornton Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 Bobby Naughton's music of the 1970s; Leo Smith - Kabell, Nessa, and ECM recordings; Marc Levin "The Dragon Suite" on Savoy; Masahiko Togashi "Spiritual Nature" & "Guild for Human Music" (it's been a while since I gave the latter a spin, but I remember it being very spare); Joe Giardullo's ensemble work, to name a few. Of course, just because something is spare or quiet doesn't mean it's not intense, powerful, and emotionally deep. Quote
paul secor Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 (edited) Starting very peacefully and moving forward: Paul Bley: Open to Love Ran Blake: Short Life of Barbara Monk Leo Smith: Spirit Catcher Archie Shepp: On This Night Albert Ayler: Live in Greenwich Village I find the last two peaceful. Others may not. Edited November 21, 2012 by paul secor Quote
JETman Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 It strikes me that a lot of the most famous free jazz is rather frenetic, discordant and jarring to listen to. This is not a comment on the artistic merit of those recordings. Just an objective observation. Can anyone recommend some free jazz that is serene or peaceful? Examples might include the Jimmy Giuffre 3 recordings which are obviously not "free jazz," or jazz of the sixties, but which are a step in the direction I am thinking of. All suggestions are very welcome! The Giuffre 3 with Hall may not be free jazz, but the one with Bley and Swallow is another story. Quote
paul secor Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 It strikes me that a lot of the most famous free jazz is rather frenetic, discordant and jarring to listen to. This is not a comment on the artistic merit of those recordings. Just an objective observation. Your observation strikes me as very subjective. Quote
colinmce Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 Anthony Braxton & Taylor Ho Bynym - Duets (Wesleyan) 2002 Ernst Reijseger - Tell Me Everything Steve Lacy - Actuality Joe McPhee/Paul Plimley/Lisle Ellis - Sweet Freedom, Now What? Bill Dixon - Collection Spontaneous Music Ensemble - Summer 1967 Amalgam - Prayer For Peace Howard Riley - Short Stories Julius Hemphill - Flat Out Jump Suite Oliver Lake & Donal Fox - Boston Duets Ran Blake - Vertigo Quote
.:.impossible Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 Walt Dickerson/Richard Davis | Divine Gemini Bill Dixon | Odyssey Charles Mingus | Mingus Plays Piano John Coltrane/Rashied Ali | Interstellar Space Jeanne Lee/Ran Blake | The Newest Sound Around (free?) Quote
JSngry Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 It strikes me that a lot of the most famous free jazz is rather frenetic, discordant and jarring to listen to. This is not a comment on the artistic merit of those recordings. Just an objective observation. Your observation strikes me as very subjective. I was going to say something about thinking immediately after being struck might not be the best time to think clearly, but I'm still trying to figure out what constitutes a vulgar Latin rhythm section... As for the Giuffre/Bley/Swallow trio, yes to the first go-round, and yes to the later conjoinment: Quote
jeffcrom Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 It strikes me that a lot of the most famous free jazz is rather frenetic, discordant and jarring to listen to. This is not a comment on the artistic merit of those recordings. Just an objective observation. Can anyone recommend some free jazz that is serene or peaceful? Examples might include the Jimmy Giuffre 3 recordings which are obviously not "free jazz," or jazz of the sixties, but which are a step in the direction I am thinking of. All suggestions are very welcome! Art Ensemble of Chicago - People In Sorrow. I'll try to be helpful, although (like several others here) I think your premise is flawed. The Art Ensemble of Chicago's People in Sorrow is one of the most moving and beautiful pieces of music you will ever hear. This album - Radiance by the Susie Ibarra Trio, is just lovely. I was lucky enough to be in a record store in Athens, Georgia when they played this on the sound system. I bought it immediately. Quote
scoos_those_ blues Posted November 21, 2012 Author Report Posted November 21, 2012 Ok I concede that my observation was subjective. Excellent recommendations so far - just what I am after. Will check these out, and certainly pick some up. The Giuffre/Bley/Swallow trio sounds great. Quote
Brad Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 Well of course it's subjective. How we feel music is very subjective. Quote
JSngry Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 The Giuffre/Bley/Swallow trio sounds great. That was a very interesting band...they made a fair number of recordings, probably more in their "reunion" phase than they did back in the early 1960's, but some of it is getting hard to find. So if you find something that looks good to you, don't hesitate, if you know what I mean. You might come back and it's not there anymore. Been there, done that, trust me. Another yes to People In Sorrow, btw. If you don't live in the US, you can find clips on YouTube. Otherwise...just trust us! Quote
robertoart Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 For some singing, look up the David Murray album Interboogieology on Black Saint, with vocalist Marta Contreras on two tracks. Quote
The Magnificent Goldberg Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 I remember Ornette Coleman's 'The shape of jazz to come' as being rather serene. But I flogged it in 1968. Been thinking of getting it again, though. Fred Anderson is another whose music seems very serene to me, at least on the few I have of his, particularly 'Duets 2000', Will try that AEC that Chuck recommended. MG Quote
Simon8 Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 Interesting thread ( I too am looking for, uh, a somewhat more "welcoming" kind of free jazz). Is "melodic free jazz" an oxymoron ? Listening to "People in Sorrow" right now. Quote
paul secor Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 Interesting thread ( I too am looking for, uh, a somewhat more "welcoming" kind of free jazz). Is "melodic free jazz" an oxymoron ? . It depends on how you hear melody and what you consider melodic. Quote
WD45 Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 I've always considered Coltrane's "Stellar Regions" very serene. Many Paul Bley things come to mind, too. Quote
Head Man Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 (edited) ....... I'm still trying to figure out what constitutes a vulgar Latin rhythm section... Perhaps the trousers are too tight?.......the maraccas too big?......... Back to the original question: Anything by Billy Harper Edited November 21, 2012 by Head Man Quote
colinmce Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 I've always considered Coltrane's "Stellar Regions" very serene. Yes! When I first got it I was expecting white heat, but was pleasantly surprised. It's gorgeous. Quote
Simon8 Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 (edited) Interesting thread ( I too am looking for, uh, a somewhat more "welcoming" kind of free jazz). Is "melodic free jazz" an oxymoron ? . It depends on how you hear melody and what you consider melodic. Indeed. I don't know if the formal definition helps me identify it: "a linear succession of musical tones that the listener perceives as a single entity" (or "rhythmic succession of single tones organized as an aesthetic whole"). "Melodies often consist of one or more musical phrases or motifs, and are usually repeated throughout a song or piece in various forms" (I thought here of Don Cherry's "Complete Communion", where discernible melodies punctuate the compositions, as perhaps an example of "melodic free jazz". Plenty of Ornette also, of course.) For me it may come down to the root of the word: "from Greek meloidia, "singing, chanting". Edited November 21, 2012 by Simon8 Quote
NIS Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 Ok I concede that my observation was subjective. Excellent recommendations so far - just what I am after. Will check these out, and certainly pick some up. The Giuffre/Bley/Swallow trio sounds great. He has already been noted but if the above sounds good to you, go to Bobby Naughton's website and check out "The Haunt". Quote
colinmce Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 I would in fact recommend just about anything by Julius Hemphill: Raw Materials & Residuals, Dogon AD, Flat Out Jump Suite, Oakland Duets, Live, Blue Boye, Roi Boye & The New Gotham Minstrels, Buster Bee. Listening to Julius play is like being inside someone's head. A very introspective player. Quote
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