Newsgroups: rec.music.bluenote
Subject: Re: Albert Ayler
From: kenz@local.host
Date: 21 Jan 93 12:24:09 -0600
Reply-To: kenz@local.host
Organization: Organization, City, State, etc.

In article <1993Jan18.120731.2840@dct.ac.uk>, mctkew@dct.ac.uk writes:
>I recently found "Larroch/Paris 1966" by Albert Ayler in my local second hand
>record shop (also Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Elliot Sharp, Henry Threadgill and Robin
>Eubanks). I had never heard of this Ayler record (I now have three - My name is
>Albert Ayler and Spiritual Unity being the other two)
>
Larroch... is released by HatHut, Spirits... by ESP and My Name... by
>Fontana.....
>
>
>Could someone please give me a full discography of Ayler' records, detailing
>their availability.... particularly Spiritual Unity....
>
>or has everybody forgotten him !!!!
>
>
>Ken Whelan
>MCTKEW@UK.AC.DCT
>
>"My music is purely music of love" - Albert Ayler

 Mr. Whelan:

I've not forgotten Ayler, he is still one of my favorites.  I can give a
discography of the Ayler recordings I have, with additional information on
those I am aware of but not in my own collection.

   Albert Ayler.  The First Recordings.  GNP Crescendo GNP-9022 (As stated
later, this is also the DIW release, Volume 2)
         Ayler w/ Torbjorn Hultcrantz (b); Sune Spangberg (d) 10/25/62 (tho
there seems to be some disagreement over this date)

   Swing Low Sweet Spiritual.  Osmosis 4001.  
         w/ Call Cobbs (piano); Henry Grimes (b); Sunny Murray (d)  2/24/64.
This is kind of an interesting collection of spirituals, not alot of "out" sax,
yet I think it works well if you are in the mood.  I used cuts from this LP in
a post-1960 jazz class, and it seemed to help put Ayler's music into
perspective for those who were immediately put out by Ayler's extremes.

   Witches and Devils.  Arista/Freedom AL1018. 
         w/ Norman Howard (trumpet); Henry Grimes and/or Earle Henderson (b);
 Sunny Murray (d)  2/24/64.
This is starting to get into the "heart" of Ayler's style, Howard isn't a very
distinctive trumpeter (I haven't heard the LP he cut not so very long ago), but 
Sunny Murray certainly contributes to the freshness of the music.  Not this was
recorded on the same day as "Swing Low...".  Several of the pieces closely
associated with Ayler show up here, including Spirits and Saints.  Cadence
lists both this Freedom release and "Vibrations" on CD.

   Prophecy.  ESP 3030.  
         w/ Gary Peacock (b); Sunny Murray (d)  6/14/64.
Still one of my absolute favorites.  Two versions of Spirits (second version
listed as Ghosts, second variation) are particularly haunting.  While these
ESP's never had wonderful sound, and Murray's drums never seemed to be clearly
recorded, the music is very powerful.  One can understand why Ayler generated
such hostility from those preferring a more sedate style of jazz after
listening to this!

   Spiritual Unity.  ESP 1002.
         personnel as Prophecy.  7/10/64.
Another favorite.  The trio recordings are very open, and these three meshed
perfectly.  I think this would be an essential Ayler recording, as well as
Prophecy.

   New York Eye and Ear Control.  ESP 1016.
        w/ the trio augmented by Don Cherry (t); John Tchicai (as); Roswell
  Rudd (trombone).  7/17/64.
This seemed to get bad press, though in the book the Freedom Principle (John
Witweiler) it is mentioned as as important as Coleman's "Free Jazz" or
Coltrane's "Ascension." (I'm pretty sure that's where I read that.)  It is
pretty frantic, but exciting.  

   Vibrations.  Arista/Freedom  AL1000.
        w/ the trio and Don Cherry (t).  9/14/64.
Contains six pieces closely associated with Ayler, including Ghosts, Mothers,
and Holy Spirit.  Cherry, while not one of my favorites, seems to fit in rahter
well.  I enjoy his short, stacatto solos and accompaniment.  According to the
liner notes by Michael Cuscuna, Ayler's third LP was originally called
"Spirits" (on Debut) and later released as "Witches and Devils" on Freedom. 
His second LP was another Debut release from 1963 called "My Name is Albert
Ayler", which I think may be the DIW Volume 2.  Volume two is OK, but it does
have a short interview with Ayler recorded overseas.  It's the only time I have
heard him talk.

I have to get out to the reference desk!  So I will finish later.

Bill Kenz
Moorhead State University 
Library
Moorhead, MN  56563

internet  kenz@mhd1.moorhead.msus.edu

  

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