ELVIN JONES LIVE - THE TOWN HALL.Nadja PA-7111(Japanese LP), also PM records PMR004(American), and released on CD as THE JOHN COLTRANE MEMORIAL CONCERT, Jazz Door CD
9/71, with Joe Farrell, Frank Foster, Gene Perla, Chick Corea.
Live concert; the CD bogusly claims it's a Polish radio broadcast, probably in order to avoid litigation. However, it is produced by Gene Perla who also (presumably) engineered it. There are two tracks; 'Shinjitu', and Foster's 'Simone'. The music is glorious.
SKYSCRAPERS, volumes 1-4. Honeydew HD6602-5(LPs).
?1970, with George Coleman, Wilbur Little, and (Vol 4) Marvin 'Hannibal' Petersen.
Trio live, from an uncertain date - probably taped while Elvin was under contract to Blue Note. From an evening (or more) at the Village Vanguard, and intense, even heavy going; volume one has more drum solo than band playing. There is tremendous power here, though. No messing.
LIVE AT THE VILLAGE VANGUARD. Enja 2036(LP/CD).
?1970, with George Coleman, Wilbur Little, and Marvin 'Hannibal' Petersen.
More of the above. The tunes aren't cooked, simply eaten raw and alive.
MR THUNDER. EastWest EWR7501(LP).
9/74, with Steve Grossman, Roland Prince, Milton Suggs, Luis Agudo, Sjunne Ferger.
Tremendous live set. I love this record. You've never seen a jazz guitarist dance if you haven't seen Roland Prince.
ELVIN JONES IS ON THE MOUNTAIN. PM records PMR005(LP)/One Way OW30328(CD).
1975, with Jan Hammer and Gene Perla.
The opening 'Thorn of a White Rose' is fearsome jazz-rock, written by Hammer who also engineered this recording. The beautiful and reflective second track was written by Perla, who produced it; stunning. Highly recommended.
NEW AGENDA. Vanguard VSD 79362(LP).
1975, with Steve Grossman, Roland Prince, David Williams, Joe Farrell, Frank Foster, Azar Lawrence, Kenny Barron, Gene Perla, Candido Camero, Frank Ippolito, Guillermo Franco.
If Jones ever played fusion, it was on the Vanguard albums. This is extremely friendly and contains an excellent version of 'Naima', and more. Both Farrell and Candido Camero help to reprise 'Agenda'.
THE MAIN FORCE. Vanguard VSD 79372(LP).
1975, with Pat LaBarbera, Ryo Kawasaki, David Williams, David Liebman, Steve Grossman, Frank Foster, Albert Dailey, Angel Allende, Dave Johnson.
More of the same, and even nearer to rock. Kawasaki really overdoes the wacka-wacka unison bends...bloody guitarists.
OREGON/ELVIN JONES TOGETHER. Vanguard VSD 79377(LP).
?1976, with Ralph Towner, Collin Walcott, Glen Moore, Paul Mcandless.
I have to be honest; I used to have this record, and sold it. Oregon were also on Vanguard at the time - I still have 'Distant Hills' and 'Winter Light' - and the label was at least trying hard. This has a duet ('Driven Omens') for Elvin and Collin Walcott. I don't wish to judge this album without hearing it again.
SUMMIT MEETING. Vanguard VSD 79390(LP).
?1976, With Clark Terry, Bunky Green, James Moody, Roland Prince, Albert Dailey, Angel Allende,
This is actually very good indeed, though somewhat mainstream compared to the previous projects. Vanguard decided to put several of its artists together, and couldn't fail with this lineup. A good-humoured, happy session that swings like the proverbial clappers.
TIME CAPSULE. Vanguard VSD 23031(LP).
1977, with Bunky Green, George Coleman, Frank Foster, Frank Wess, Ryo Kawasaki, Kenny Barron, Milt Hinton, Jooney Booth, Angel Allende.
Yet more fusion. Badly mastered, but Green's alto solo on the second track is absolutely seizing. Jones' live band in 1977 featured Pat LaBarbera, Chico Freeman and Ryo Kawasaki, and the gig I caught was one of the best jazz concerts I have ever seen in my entire life.
REMEMBRANCE. MPS15523(LP).
2/78, with Pat LaBarbera, Michael Stuart, Roland Prince, Andy Mcloud.
The return of Roland Prince. High quality, excellently recorded, and the material is very good indeed. Worth tracking down.
JAZZ MACHINE LIVE IN JAPAN 1978. Trio PAP9111(LP)/Storyville STCD4153(CD)/Konnex KCD5041(CD).
4/78, with Frank Foster, Pat LaBarbera, Roland Prince, Andy Mcloud.
The Konnex CD is the best choice. Steaming live gig, if a bit rough, tuning-wise. Includes 'A Love Supreme', and the Konnex issue has 'Antigua' and 'Bessie's Blues', too.
VERY R.A.R.E. Trio PAP9173(45rpmLP)/Konnex5036(CD, a two-for-one with 'Reunited' - see below).
6/79, with Art Pepper, Richard Davis, Roland Hanna.
Japanese mini-album. There's another Jones/Davis duet, which may be good or not, depending on your point of view. Note - the latest edition of 'Very R.A.R.E' has extra tracks from the preceding 'Live in Japan' CD instead of 'Reunited'. Some of this is beautiful, but the really good stuff with Art Pepper is his 'Live at the Village Vanguard' set, which I think now runs to 9 CDs, and documents about 4 nights with Elvin, George Cables and George Mraz. ('Very R.A.R.E' is available from Amazon.com)
E-mail; JDGM@jdgm.freeserve.co.uk