Eric Dolphy
Posted by: Peter Stockwell on 27 February 2002
Ok jazz fans more help please! I have 'Last Date' from 1964 which has some interesting music on it, I bought this on vinyl 20 years ago while trying to get jazz, I've played it maybe 6 times. Anyway, the cuts where Eric plays bass clarinet and alto saxophone I enjoy very much, but I have to confess there are certain instruments that I don't get, and near the top is the flute. On this recording there's a couple of cuts with the flute. I've seen it written that an essential album from Eric Dolphy is 'Out to Lunch'. Any views on this ?
Further, can anybody suggest an 'essential' John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy collaboration.
Thanks.
Peter
Posted on: 27 February 2002 by David Hobbs-Mallyon
Peter,
Out to Lunch is OK, but IMHO I'd start with some of the Dolphy/Coltrane collaborations. Both The Complete Africa Brass Sessions (2CDs) and the Complete Live at the Village Vanguard (4CDs) are excellent. The former is more accesible, so probably the best place to start.
David
Posted on: 27 February 2002 by Peter Stockwell
quote:
Originally posted by David Hobbs-Mallyon:
Peter,Out to Lunch is OK, but IMHO I'd start with some of the Dolphy/Coltrane collaborations. The Complete Africa Brass Sessions (2CDs) .... accesible, so probably the best place to start.
David
I was thinking you might say that, I spent much of this afternoon working, errr, looking for this on the internet. In France it's a german import and costs €40 ... didn't fancy that kind of price, but I'll look again.
Peter
meanwhile, a few minutes later ... I found it at €26, it's ordered.
[This message was edited by Peter Stockwell on WEDNESDAY 27 February 2002 at 16:01.]
Posted on: 27 February 2002 by John C
Eric Dolphy is my favourite jazz musician. Out to Lunch is a masterpiece and in my top ten all time favourite albums.
I have almost all of his recordings. My favourite Dolphy led dates are
Out to Lunch
Live at the Five spot Vol 1, 2 and Memorial (with Booker Little)(Prestige)
Illinois Concert (Bluenote)
Far Cry (OJC)
As a side man
Oliver Nelson - Blues and Abstract Truth
Free Jazz with Ornette
Mingus Live at Antibes (great bass clarinet)
Point of Departure (Andrew Hill)- a great underated Bluenote classic
You cant go wrong with Eric. What a tragic loss, both he and Booker little died from natural causes uraemia and untreated diabetes (an unusual feature of jazz players of that era).
John.t
Posted on: 27 February 2002 by Sigmund
You can't go wrong with Far Cry or the sessions with Booker Little. I wholeheartedly concur that Blues and the Abstract Truth is one of the all time best records. His stuff with Coltrane at the Village Vanguard is muscular as well as being musical. It's a big taste though.
Posted on: 27 February 2002 by ken c
totally off-topic, but this is not worth a thread, can some one tell me if dewey redman is related to joshua redman. someone just asked me this evening and (shame on me !!) i didnt know...
enjoy
ken
Posted on: 27 February 2002 by Peter Litwack
"Out There" - you can't hear any better Dolphy than what he plays on the cut
"Feathers".
I once saw a video at a friend's house of Eric Dolphy playing with the John Coltrane Quartet. It looked like a studio date - perhaps some of the sessions that resulted in "Impressions", and other releases from that time. Anyone know if this video is available?
What a beautiful cat! He looked very deep, with a saint-like countenance. What a wonderful gift he was.
Posted on: 27 February 2002 by Peter Stockwell
Thank you all very much for pointing me to the essential Eric Dolphy, I doff my hat to you all.
I've been on music binge recently, and have almost stopped thinking of upgrading (are you kidding!!! 
), and having bought 3 LPs last week and 2 CDs I'm now waiting for a further 2 LPs and 4 Cds. So I'll have to assimilate all these before striking out again.
I have limited space so I have to sell off some old stuff too.
Thanks again.
Peter
Posted on: 28 February 2002 by David Hobbs-Mallyon
It's a shame Dolphy never got to take part in John Coltrane's Ascension.
The above is very highly recommended to anyone that is looking for something totally unique. Not in the easy listening section though.
David
Posted on: 23 April 2002 by Peter Stockwell
I've been following some of the recommendations to ease my way into Eric Dolphy's music. The recommendation for 'Africa/Brass' was right on the money, what a powerful recording, yes I know it's Coltrane, but it is a disc that I feel expands my brain and relaxes me at the same time.
The other that I have been able to try, it arrived yesterday, is 'live in Antibes 1960' from Charles Mingus. I've only been able to peripherally listen to this once. but with an appearance by Bud Powell and some great alto playing from Dolphy, it promises to be a favourite. It contains live versions of Mingus standards.
Peter
[This message was edited by Peter Stockwell on WEDNESDAY 24 April 2002 at 07:49.]
Posted on: 23 April 2002 by Peter Stockwell
quote:
Originally posted by hockman:
Pete:
I forgot to mention another Trane/Dolphy album on Atlantic called Ole Coltrane where Dolphy is listed as "George Lane". His sound is unmistakeable.
<snip>
Your post has now reminded me to go back and listen thru' all my Dolphy albums. I have a lot, but I've not listened to most of them for a long, long time. Like that Mingus live album. BTW look out for his other performances with Mingus.
Rgds
Hock
I have Olé, CD & LP, I'll dig it out tonight I can play as much of that stuff as I like without bothering Evelyne, but she balked at King Crimson!
Peter
Posted on: 24 April 2002 by John C
"The other that I have been able to try, it arrived yesterday, is 'live in Antibes 1960' from Charles Mingus. "
Sometimes I listen to this record and can feel the sea breeze, the hot evening sun and imagine palm trees swaying, hypnotized by Dolphy and the brilliant Booker Ervin. I really, really love this record.
John.
I also recommend Nine Immortal Non-Evergreens for Eric Dolphy by the Vienna Art Orchestra, a brilliant exploration of the Dolphy oeuvre.
p
[This message was edited by John C on WEDNESDAY 24 April 2002 at 10:55.]
