Review by Ken Dryden
Clifford Jordan's two volumes of sessions under the title Glass Bead Games have long been heralded as some of the most important work of his career. These once rare recordings, previously issued as individual albums and as a two-LP set by Strata East, feature the late tenor saxophonist leading two separate quartets. The first, with pianist Stanley Cowell, bassist Bill Lee and drummer Billy Higgins, consists of seven powerful originals by the band. The portraits include Jordan's well-named "Powerful Paul Robeson" and Cowell's driving post-bop tribute "Cal Massey." But it is Lee's moving "John Coltrane" which opens with a solo chorus by its composer and includes a vocal chant by Jordan, Higgins and Lee, that leaves the most lasting impression, with influences from throughout several of Coltrane's landmark recordings made during the '60s. Lee's "Biskit," which follows his piece "Eddie Harris," sounds as if Harris himself could have written it. The second quartet has Cedar Walton taking over on piano and Sam Jones on bass. This session is not quite as adventurous but is every bit as enjoyable, with stimulating compositions by Walton, Cowell, Higgins and Jones. Jordan devours his drummer's "Alias Buster Henry" whole with his far-reaching solo. Jones' blues "One for Amos" was the only established piece recorded for the album, having received wide exposure during the previous decade; this updated arrangement ranks among its finest interpretations. Long out of print and fetching high prices at auctions, this Harvest Song reissue, which combines all issued tracks on one disc, returns a legendary release to print at a much more affordable price. Highly recommended!
https://www.allmusic.com/album/glass-bead-games-mw0001160179
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Reseña de Ken Dryden
Los dos volúmenes de sesiones de Clifford Jordan bajo el título Glass Bead Games han sido anunciados durante mucho tiempo como algunos de los trabajos más importantes de su carrera. Estas grabaciones, una vez raras, publicadas anteriormente como álbumes individuales y como un conjunto de dos LP por Strata East, presentan al saxofonista tenor tardío liderando dos cuartetos separados. El primero, con el pianista Stanley Cowell, el bajista Bill Lee y el baterista Billy Higgins, consta de siete poderosos originales de la banda. Los retratos incluyen al bien llamado "Poderoso Paul Robeson" de Jordan y el tributo post-bop de Cowell "Cal Massey."Pero es la conmovedora" John Coltrane " de Lee, que comienza con un coro solista de su compositor e incluye un canto vocal de Jordan, Higgins y Lee, lo que deja la impresión más duradera, con influencias de varias de las grabaciones históricas de Coltrane realizadas durante los años 60. "Biskit" de Lee, que sigue a su pieza "Eddie Harris", suena como si el propio Harris pudiera haberlo escrito. El segundo cuarteto cuenta con Cedar Walton al piano y Sam Jones al bajo. Esta sesión no es tan aventurera, pero es igual de agradable, con composiciones estimulantes de Walton, Cowell, Higgins y Jones. Jordan devora el" Alias Buster Henry " de su baterista con su solo de gran alcance. El blues de Jones "One for Amos" fue la única pieza establecida grabada para el álbum, habiendo recibido una amplia exposición durante la década anterior; este arreglo actualizado se encuentra entre sus mejores interpretaciones. Agotada durante mucho tiempo y con altos precios en las subastas, esta reedición de Harvest Song, que combina todas las pistas emitidas en un solo disco, devuelve un lanzamiento legendario para imprimir a un precio mucho más asequible. Muy recomendable!
https://www.allmusic.com/album/glass-bead-games-mw0001160179
1 - Powerful Paul Robeson - 5:42
2 - The Glass Bead Games - 4:31
3 - Prayer To The People - 4:09
4 - Cal Massey - 2:38
5 - John Coltrane - 6:48
6 - Eddie Harris - 4:17
7 - Biskit - 5:35
8 - Shoulders - 5:17
9 - Bridgework - 4:44
10 - Maimoun - 5:39
11 - Alias Buster Henry - 8:18
12 - One For Amos - 6:52
Credits:
Design – Sandra Williams
Drums, Percussion – Billy Higgins
Engineer [Recording] – Ron Carran
Mastered By – Dave Crawford
Photography By – Martin Bough
Piano – Cedar Walton (tracks: 2, 3, 8, 9, 12), Stanley Cowell (tracks: 1, 4 to 7, 10, 11)
Producer – Clifford Jordan Jr.
Tenor Saxophone, Photography By – Clifford Jordan
Violin [Bass] – Bill Lee (2) (tracks: 1, 4 to 7, 10, 11), Sam Jones (tracks: 2, 3, 8, 9, 12)
Quartet I: C.Jordan, S.Cowell, B.Higgins, B.Lee
Quartet II: C.Jordan, S.Jones, C.Walton, B.Higgins
Recorded on Stormy Monday, October 29, 1973
Recorded at Minot Sound Studio, White Plains, NY
Label: Strata-East – SES-19737, Strata-East – SES-19738
Series: Dolphy Series – 5
Country: US
Released: 1974
Genre: Jazz
Style: Post Bop, Modal
https://www.discogs.com/release/488867-Clifford-Jordan-Quartet-Glass-Bead-Games
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