Entertainment For Lively Minds
Oh Massive, be forthcoming with your wisdom: Carla Bley? Que?
Posted by Vulpes Vulpes on 22 September 2011 - 7:35pm.
One of stimpy's threads has thrown up a Carla Bley tune that's got my fancy. Trouble is, I have nothing more of hers to explore further.
I don't do downloads, I buy CDs, so can you tell me please; given a budget of twenty five sovs to blow on Carla Bley titles, which ones do I go for?
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No expert...
...on her but I got a record some years ago - The Carla Bley Band, I think - with a wonderful track on, "The Lord is Listenin' to Ya, Hallelujah"
Hi! I'm the guilty party
who posted it on Stimpy's funeral music thread.
I first heard it, fairly recently, on an interesting Radio 4 series called The Music Group. Three guests each bring in a single track which is played then discussed by all.
I was completely blown away by this track - blues on a trombone? Who'da thunk it?
It's off an album called Carla Bley Live which I think was recorded in the 80's.
I researched Carla sufficiently to realise that this track is very much a one off. That's not meant to knock her other work - just don't expect a whole album like this.
I believe she's still going strong and still has that magnificent head of hair!
Amazon have the cd for about £34 and you can download just the track on itunes for 79p.
I believe the youtube video was recorded at London's Roundhouse. Wish I'd been there!
didn't she
colloborate extensively with nick mason on his solo album 'ficticious sports' - if memory serves it was actually more a carla bley album than a nick mason one if truth be told, but maybe his name was thought more likely to generate sales than hers!
it includes this floyd pastiche featuring her, and also robert wyatt and chris spedding.
I am very fond of..
her Duets album with Steve Swallow. I've just put a track from it on my Music without Words CD for tomorrow's NW Mingle
I used to have her album Sextet on vinyl and loved it. Top guitar playing by Hiram Bullock. I've never bought it on CD, cos I think it was only available in an expensive import format. However since starting to write this I've disvovered its on itunes for £4.74 - Result!
One to approach with caution
Escalator Over The Hill is widely regarded as her masterpiece; maybe I just wasn't receptive to it, but I found it bloody hard going. I used to have Dinner Music, which was pretty good. My favourite piece by her is Fleur Carnivore, which is wonderful.
Ah Carla Bley
I think I have all her records on vinyl but can't say I've listened to them in an age. Live & I Hate To Sing are her most aproachable.
Here's one I like :
Carla Bley With The Lost Chords find Paolo Fresu
I don't know much about her but this is a gorgeous record.
Seconded
Carla Bley With The Lost Chords find Paolo Fresu is a top album. And very accessible, too.
And I'm surprised it took the Lost Chords such a long time to find Paolo Fresu when he had these bright orange trousers on. You'd have thought he'd have been easy to spot:
I saw Carla Bley play a concert in Stockholm a couple of years ago. She's still an engaging live performer.