Sun Ra

That looks interesting Richard. I have a terrible time getting into the soundworld of jazz pre-In A Silent Way (and anything free-form!), but am always looking for the thin end of the wedge. There seems to be so much to enjoy if only I could find a way in!

I have heard Sun Ra on the Freakzone - but mostly it's left me hiding behind the sofa. Still, Nil Desperandum!

Some of it is a challenge for me too. He was different! Not to mention that a lot of  his mind boggling output had limited release or none at all, just sold at live concerts! It is good that his discography is getting cataloged and is more widely available for sampling. A nice overview compilation by Marshall Allen 'In the Orbit of Ra' was released  2014.

"Arkestra bandleader Marshall Allen cuts through the sea of Sun Ra reissues to bring you a brilliantly curated introduction to the cosmic jazz master, celebrating what would have been his 100th earth year. A sumptuous collection of classics, rarities and unreleased tracks and versions."

-available at Bandcamp, and an easy entry into Sun Ra's universe

I should mention a couple of my most played Sun Ra to date (out of tens of titles in my library):

Nothing Is (1966, 2005 ESP-Disk)

Aurora Borealis  (Solo p, 1981)

from Bandcamp notes:

"Before he became Sun Ra, young Herman Blount attended Alabama A&M University in Huntsville as a music education major. He received much classical training, with Chopin, Rachmaninoff, and Gershwin (show tunes and grand concert works) becoming favorites. In his 1950s Chicago years Sunny often warmed up with classical repertoire. On Aurora, Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C♯ Minor gets an aggressive Glenn Gould-meets-Conlon Nancarrow makeover, followed by the meditative "Quiet Ecstasy." The title track continues the reflective mood, punctuated by discordant thunder, which evolves into a hailstorm of notes and clusters on the LP's closer, "Omniscience." We round out this digital edition with an unreleased bonus track, Sun Ra's evergreen "Love in Outer Space," recorded during soundcheck before an August 1979 performance at NYC's Squat Theater. The backdrop of creaky piano bench, stage noise, and conversation are to be considered part of the work; think of it as John Cage's 4:33 with notes. "

Brilliant posted:

Some of it is a challenge for me too. He was different! Not to mention that a lot of  his mind boggling output had limited release or none at all, just sold at live concerts! It is good that his discography is getting cataloged and is more widely available for sampling. A nice overview compilation by Marshall Allen 'In the Orbit of Ra' was released  2014.

"Arkestra bandleader Marshall Allen cuts through the sea of Sun Ra reissues to bring you a brilliantly curated introduction to the cosmic jazz master, celebrating what would have been his 100th earth year. A sumptuous collection of classics, rarities and unreleased tracks and versions."

-available at Bandcamp, and an easy entry into Sun Ra's universe

Thanks for the tip. Have purchased.

Hi Richard - You are welcome.

I was encouraged to try more of his music by the fact that his impressive saxophonist John Gilmore (who even Trane was impressed by and allegedly took lessons from in the 50s), thought so highly of him!

Here is a paradoxical quote by his late long time trombone player (Tyrone Hill) :

" He really opened me up. He showed me that there's a lot of possibilities beyond what I was feeling. 'Tyrone, you playing what you know, play something you don't know.' Sun Ra always taught us to do the impossible. To do something you don't know"

I guess he really was exploring the 'universe' using the jazz vehicle. Whereas some of those pathways have beauty some indeed are frightening!

ATB!

B.

Well he has visited the planet Saturn.

His work is similar in its evolution to Miles Davis, there is the early 'traditional' jazz phase then in the 70's he starts to stretch out with electric instruments. Two classic albums from this period are:-

1973 - Space is the Place

1978 - Lanquidity

Great story in Viv Albertine's  (she of the slits) bio 'Clothes, Music, Boys' where she recounts a stop-off in Philadelphia and the decision to track down Sun Ra. So looking in the phone book (where else!) there is no Sun Ra, but listed under Ra, Sun is an address and number. So they head over to the house which turns out to be a modest terraced abode. Trying the bell, the next door neighbour asks if they are looking for Mr Ra whose not in at present as he's away on tour.

 I first heard 'Space is The Place' in the 80s and I struggled with it then. I should give it another visit!

Another from 1976 I would slot in there is: 'Live at Montreux', the US  or Japan issues.

AndyP19 posted:

Well he has visited the planet Saturn.

His work is similar in its evolution to Miles Davis, there is the early 'traditional' jazz phase then in the 70's he starts to stretch out with electric instruments. Two classic albums from this period are:-

1973 - Space is the Place

1978 - Lanquidity

Great story in Viv Albertine's  (she of the slits) bio 'Clothes, Music, Boys' where she recounts a stop-off in Philadelphia and the decision to track down Sun Ra. So looking in the phone book (where else!) there is no Sun Ra, but listed under Ra, Sun is an address and number. So they head over to the house which turns out to be a modest terraced abode. Trying the bell, the next door neighbour asks if they are looking for Mr Ra whose not in at present as he's away on tour.

Another story: Sun Ra walks into a club in Greenwich Village where Charles Mingus is playing.

'What are you doing here?', asks Mingus.

'I visit the Village all the time', says Ra.

'No, I mean here on Earth' replies Mingus.

Cool when he was streaming  Jupiter.