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| This album is a record of the oratorio George Gruntz wrote using Allen Ginsberg's poetry as the libretto. Here's some back-story: once Ginsberg agreed, Gruntz immediately flew to New York to meet with him. Ginsberg was happy to be part of the project but instead of wanting to write all new material, he showed Gruntz to a room full of boxes of unpublished work and encouraged Gruntz to take whatever he might be able to use. The conversation, on Ginsberg's part, was something like, "I'm old, and lazy--don't make me write too much." Of course, Gruntz was thrilled to have a couple of hours to rummage around. The result is an amazing collection of poems, playful and apocalyptic, with an amazing range of tones and feelings to the musical settings, and powerhouse acting and singing from all the participants--my favorites include "Bop Lyrics," sung by Michael Murphy; "Happening Now," an apocalyptic vision set to a colossal epiphany of sound and solos which sound like the world is, indeed, coming to an end. Then there's the charming poem, set to an African mood, about the tree that complained of having a white car under it because it "smells of smoke." Great jazz marimba solo. Gruntz's oeuvre is well worth collecting for the range and originality of his music and the fury of his soloists. Highly recommended. |
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ARTISTS
WDR Big Band conducted by George Gruntz with Renee Manning, Sheila Jordan, Mark Murphy (vocals); Don Cherry (trumpet, percussion); Ray Anderson (trombone, vocals); Howard Johnson (tuba, baritone sax, vocal); Freddie Santiago (percussion); Danny Gottlieb (drums); Mike Richmond (bass); George Gruntz (piano) |
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