The Album Club: "Let My Children Hear Music" by Charles Mingus
 

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Jazz time, people! Discuss, rate, review and debate here.

Charles Mingus- Let My Children Hear Music (1972)


Best Tracks: The Shoes of the Fisherman’s Wife Are Some Jiveass Slippers, Hobo Ho

Weakest Tracks: The Chill of Death


As you know, Occult, I’m going through a lot of jazz albums right now and, of course, Charles Mingus is among the artists I’m listening to. I might mention that his Blues and Roots turned out to be my favorite album of 1960. I’ve also heard the Black Saint and the Sinner Lady, probably his most acclaimed album.

So it is no surprise that, compared to those two albums, this one is a little bit of a letdown. Not that I don’t like it; in fact, I like this album quite a bit. It just doesn’t scream classic to me.

The album opens great with The Shoes of the Fisherman’s Wife Are Some Jiveass Slippers. That track rates right up there with the other Mingus classics as does Hobo Ho.

Most of the other tracks are pretty decent, but I thought The Chill of Death was kind of meh. Mingus doing spoken word just didn’t do it for me.

One thing I do like about Mingus that separates him from most other jazz greats is his use of strings, such as in Adagio Ma Non Troppo.

So basically when all is said and done, it’s not a classic, but it is a good album and I can give it a solid seven.







7/10 (the Word has spoken :D)

Few records are able to sew together classical and jazz so seamlessly. One of the more simple ways that groups accomplish this is by using jazz instruments within an orchestral context without changing much of the classical style, other times it's done by stacking strings on top of a jazz record (*cough* Kamasi Washington *cough*). While some may not agree, this album stands apart from those two styles by taking thoughtful and gorgeous orchestral suites and imbuing them with adrenaline and response-fueled freedom of jazz. The record has that atmosphere that only Mingus could have in how it waggles its fingers in the face of free jazz standards while redefining and embracing them, but it's also filtered through Mingus's maturation as a composer and bandleader. Mingus reaches higher points on records like Black Saint & the Sinner Lady or The Clown, but as far as creative landmarks go, this record really stands out in his discography. 5/5

You’re well on point that Mingus makes the orchestration swing, Frown.

Even though the ensembles are totally different I think this album was influenced by Dizzy Gillespie and the Double Six of Paris (1963).

There are different approaches to this kind of project and if it’s good it’s good.


Charlie Parker with Strings (1950), also an easy five star masterpiece, is very different in that the strings aren’t so much a part of the jazz but lay down a beautiful lush orchestration behind it. Not better or worse just a different approach.

On Bill Evans Trio with Symphony Orchestra (1966), Evans showcases his classical skills to great effect.

A very interesting one is Ornette’s Skies of America which was released in 1972, the same year as this. On that recording, a favorite of mine, Ornette uses the London Symphony Orchestra as part of the experimentation.

Of course, there are many third stream records that could be called upon for comparison. This is one where Mingus brings it in and does his thing with it.

5/5 stars of course.

I've heard this Mingus guy's name many times, but I can't say I know anything about him, beyond assuming he probably plays a trumpet.

I have yet to warm to any jazz from this particular era, honestly, so this particular album had an uphill battle in front of it.

This album makes me feel torn. When it leans more decisively towards jazz, I like it less. When it relies more on classical stylings, I like it more. There would be some supercut of this album that I would rate highly, but overall, it's landing itself in "meh" territory for me.
I even thought the bit between the 18 and 19 minute mark was kind of crap.

Honestly, the album is all over the place in terms of both style and quality. Some parts are memorable and send chills down my spine, while other parts remind me why jazz perhaps deserved to fade into obscurity.

I voted "meh". But like I said, some isolated parts of this album were downright great.

Yeah, that Mingus plays trumpet album is crap.

The Shoes of the Fisherman's Wife Are Some Jiveass Slippers - in the first few minutes I don't know if I am listening to Jazz album or a soundtrack to a B&W movie staring Jack Lemmon. Adagio ma non troppo - sounds like he is channeling Tchaikovsky, elevator music, then free Jazz and lounge music/ The Chill of Deathreminds me a little of Departure or some other thing else the Moody Blues did where they talk over music.

Like almost every album I think 'this should be a good album." But then it doesn't end up that way. Not terribly wrong to hate it, but then not enough to love it. I don't know if I shall return to the album for another listen or stick to my own Jazz musicians.

3/5

It's pretty much just boring and nobody cares but hardcore jazz fans. Whatever, it's fine, but nothing great at all. A couple solid tracks a couple I couldn't care less for.
6/10