Archie Shepp, Montreux One and Two

CraigP · May-26th-2009, 12:15 PM

Of all the "new thing" sax players to come out of the 60's, Archie Shepp is one I've probably spent the least time listening to. I have Fire Music, but it just doesn't catch fire for me; his playing seems adequate at best. But I absolutely love two records Shepp did for Arista/Freedom, Montreux One and Montreux Two. Recorded live at the Festival in 1975, One and Two feature Charles Majid Greenlee (whatever happened to him?) on trombone, Dave Burrell on piano, Cameron Brown on bass and Beaver Harris on drums.

The group sounds great, tight yet loose, and Burrell seems especially inspired, at times breaking into some stride piano during his solos. Shepp performs a wonderful solo intro to Lush Life, and the whole performance is a thing of beauty.

Anyone else heard these?

Pete C · May-26th-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraigP

Anyone else heard these?

No, but I think that's the same group as on A Sea of Faces, which has one GREAT long track, Grachan Moncur's Hipnosis, and it's filled out with forgettable shorter tracks.

I think the most intense live Shepp is "Life [sic] at the Donaueschingen Music Festival," which has Rudd & Moncur and Beaver and quite possibly the greatest Jimmy Garrison performance on record.

Uli · May-26th-2009, 12:32 PM

yes, i love them. will go on my to listening soon stack.

lonely-at-the-top · May-26th-2009, 01:35 PM

I find it hard to compare Montreux and Donaueschingen with the latter being so much of a freestyler or "most intense" as Pete puts it. I like Montreux better and find similar feelings on these, too:

Live at The Festival
with Bill Evans, Bobby Hutcherson, Karen Krog

The New York Contemporary Five
with Don Cherry, John Tchicai, Don Moore, J.C. Moses

but most of all

The Frankfurt/Paris Meetings with the Chet Baker Quintett of 1988

Pete C · May-26th-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonely-at-the-top

but most of all

The Frankfurt/Paris Meetings with the Chet Baker Quintett of 1988

Not familiar with those. Shepp's chops were still OK at that point?

lonely-at-the-top · May-26th-2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete C

Not familiar with those. Shepp's chops were still OK at that point?

yeah that was the time... however next to Baker with no teeth you really can't tell. But if you love Donaueschingen, you will probably find this one mediocre. I love it! (I am a Chet man, maybe that's why?)

Brian Olewnick · May-26th-2009, 04:16 PM

Agreed on the original post--the two Montreux albums are wonderful and usually overlooked. Great pieces, fine band.

Also worth seeking out is his duo with Abdullah Ibrahim on Denon.

CraigP · May-26th-2009, 11:25 PM

Is Mr. Shepp still alive? (too lazy to check wikipedia)

Uli · May-27th-2009, 12:55 AM

yes and still performing. He will be at the chicago fest iirc.

Alino · June-9th-2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uli

yes and still performing. He will be at the chicago fest iirc.

I saw him live last year.
I'd advice you all to save your money and time for a better live act, unless you appriciate lots of mediocre blues shouting as soon -and very soon it may happens- mr. sadly frozen music loses breath and stamina to blow the horn.