Sun Ra: Seeking Enlightenment
Charles Epstein
On a friend's recommendation I just picked up Sun Ra's Atlantis. The
wonders of the much heralded 20+ minute title track have thus far eluded
me...as has much of the rest of the CD in question. I like to think of myself
as a pretty forward thinking jazz guy with an ocasionally adventurous
ear...But the alleged virtues of Atlantis are beyond me, and I've given the
thing multiple spins. Could it be that Atlantis is simply not a good place to
develop an appreciation for the Sun Ra sound (such as it is)? Is there a more
representative CD I'd be recommended to check out before drawing conclusions?
Please enlighten.
Thanks.
Charles Epstein
ENIGVAR6
I have not heard Atlantis but have also been somewhat mystified about several
of Sun Ra's records. I picked up Jazz in Silhouette because it was so highly
recommended in the Penguin guide, and they were right! It is a superb album
that I would recommend to anyone. Hobart Dotson's playing on this is
particularly great. One of those things which are hard not to like. Catchy,
swinging compositions with a slight weirdness which adds an element of mystery
and ambiguity. You'll find youself humming some of this stuff. Do check it
out. On the strength of that I have bought Sound of Joy, Supersonic Jazz,
Monorails and Satellites, and We Travel the Spaceways. Of these, Sound of Joy
seemed the best to me, though not at all in the same league as Jazz in
Silhouette. The others are often puzzling and hard to get into. I too would
like to hear more from a Sun Ra guru.
Michael Fitzgerald
On Fri, 26 Dec 1997 03:32:51 GMT, Charles Epstein <c...@ix.netcom.com>
wrote:
>I like to think of myself
>as a pretty forward thinking jazz guy with an ocasionally adventurous
>ear...But the alleged virtues of Atlantis are beyond me, and I've given the
>thing multiple spins. Could it be that Atlantis is simply not a good place to
>develop an appreciation for the Sun Ra sound (such as it is)? Is there a more
>representative CD I'd be recommended to check out before drawing conclusions?
>
>Please enlighten.
I think if you really do seek "Enlightenment" you'll be very happy.
It's a tune by Hobart Dotson that appears on "Jazz In Silhouette"
(1958) by Sun Ra, reissued on Evidence.
Sun Ra went through many phases (beginning in the mid-1950's and
ending in the early 1990's). If you don't get the 1967 period (the
1960's were perhaps Ra's most radically experimental), I'd suggest
earlier things - like the 1950's Chicago material. I might also
suggest trying later (late 1970's on) stuff - when Sun Ra reached back
and did things like standards, Fletcher Henderson and Duke Ellington
in his own way. "Sunrise In Different Dimensions" would be good if
HatHut still has it in print.
I love everything Sun Ra did but can understand how Atlantis might be
a tough place to start.
Visit here and you should be able to see what fits into which
categories:
http://www-hrm1.vpad.uab.edu/saturn/discintr.htm
Lastly, I strongly recommend seeing the band if you get the chance.
There is an energy that will help to explain what may seem elusive in
your living room.
Mike
Ed Rhodes, Jr.
Charles Epstein <c...@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
>On a friend's recommendation I just picked up Sun Ra's Atlantis. The
>wonders of the much heralded 20+ minute title track have thus far eluded
>me...as has much of the rest of the CD in question. I like to think of myself
>as a pretty forward thinking jazz guy with an ocasionally adventurous
>ear...But the alleged virtues of Atlantis are beyond me, and I've given the
>thing multiple spins. Could it be that Atlantis is simply not a good place to
>develop an appreciation for the Sun Ra sound (such as it is)? Is there a more
>representative CD I'd be recommended to check out before drawing conclusions?
I have a modest collection of Sun Ra recordings which includes
Atlantis. I bought it on the strength of other recordings I had. I
don't care much for it.
Sun Ra is about the worst candidate for capsule summaries. He had a
very long career and recordings from the his various "periods" can be
strikingly different.
The earliest reocordings that are generally available are from the
period 1956-1960 when he was based in Chicago. These are essentially
bop bands but, even there, you will run into wrinkles that may
challenge the "ocasionally adventurous
ear". I'd recommend "Jazz In Silhouette" (1958), "Supersonic Jazz"
(1956) and "Interstellar Low Ways" (1960), all on Evidence, and the
two Transition dates, "Sun Song" and "El Is A Sound of Joy" (both
1956), now availabe on Delmark.
The 1960's were, in some respects, Sun Ra's most unremittinglly
radical period and most of the recordings from that decade are firmly
in the "free jazz" camp. Recommendations: "Magic City" (1965),
"Other Planes of There" (1964), on evidence and the two volumes of
"Heliocentric Worlds" (1965), available on imported ESP reissues.
There's quite a bit more on cd. I'll let someone else tackle the 70's
onward.
Sun Ra can be very difficult to collect...and very rewarding. He was
a genius.
Ed Rhodes
Fathom
In article <19971226041...@ladder01.news.aol.com>,
enig...@aol.com (ENIGVAR6) wrote:
> I have not heard Atlantis but have also been somewhat mystified about several
> of Sun Ra's records. [snip]
> The others are often puzzling and hard to get into. I too would
> like to hear more from a Sun Ra guru.
I am not a Sun Ra guru, in fact I own *none* of his recorded music (I'll
explain why in a moment), but I feel I understand him a bit from having
seen him live three times, in the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
For the 60s-70s performances, imagine a tiny club, say 50 tables and a
small stage, then put a 17-piece band all in wild glitzy costumes on the
stage, then send about seven dancers through the audience, with a light
show--the excitement is incredible.
yes the music is very interesting on its own, but it was only a fragment
of the experience.
I was so thrilled by the "peak experience" quality of those moments of the
live performance, that i've chosen not to substitute a mre audio recording
for the amazing (if vague) memory.
I can well understand that the music by iteself could be
incomprehensible, or at least not as convincing. Try to feel it as part of
a theatrical moment, and let me know if that helps.
--
To reply by e-mail, please address to fat...@sonic.net
8 8 8 8 8 8 8
These opinions are not my own--I am channeling them from the Higher Realms.
Disagree at your peril.
OLDSCHREC
I would recommend the Futuristic Sounds Of Sun Ra on Savoy, which is available
on CD. I heard this long after the more out ESP stuff and was eventually won
over by the man from Saturn's work.
Pete Gianakopoulos
olds...@aol.com (Pete Gianakopoulos/Old School Records)
Now available on Old School Records "Resurrection Of The Warlock"-A tribute to
Marc Bolan & T.Rex: $12 CD (US) $13 (overseas) Old School Records, 179
Prospect Ave Wood Dale, IL 60191-2727 USA
neill lochridge
a good starting point for the sun ra novice i feel is the recently
released SUN RA CAME DOWN TO THE EARTH kicj315 this is a japanese import
licensed by evidence music usa the cd features 17 tracks of all saturn
material and is a nice introduction for someone just starting as it
contains a variety of material from the years 1956 to 1973.
neill