Search - Charles Gayle :: Kingdom Come

The Anonymous Visionary

dork@sirius.com | 08/22/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A great deal of press has paid more attention than required to factors in Mr. Gayle's life that engage the "exoticism" of the musician rather than the music itself. Charles Gayle is the most definitive stylist on his instrument in the mislabeled idiom of "free jazz" and he is so not because of adverse conditions in his life, but in spite of those conditions. On this recording he is joined by musicians of equal stature, drummer Sunny Murray and bassist William Parker. Murray is a veteran and was one of the first percussionists to liberate the drums from their traditional role as a "time keeper." Parker is one of the most active and productive musicians in this music. His resume is impressive, playing under the leadership of Cecil Taylor, Bill Dixon, Roscoe Mitchell, etc. as well as heading his own formidable projects: In Order To Survive, The Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra, etc... all of which are very much worth checking out. On this recording the three musicians embark upon a completely spontaneous and volitile collaboration before a live audience at The Knitting Factory, of which I was fortunate enough to be a member. The assemblage that these three men were able to accumulate was and is astonishing. Gayle in particular demonstrates far more than technical proficiency as a result of dauntless perseverence and spiritual dedication to himself and his art. His improvisations are fierce, deliberate, comitted, intelligent, tender, genuine and true. Too often do we neglect to recognize greatness while it is in our midst. This recording gives us the oppertunity to do differently."

Beautiful noise

Matthew Rosecan | Washington DC | 01/14/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"a reviewer below describes this as "by definition-noise". Well, all music is noise. Without noise, there is no music. It may be more difficult to find form in this music than in many other kinds of music, but there is still a very strong and deep history to this music. Sunny Murray is a legendary free jazz drummer, one of the first to take the trap kit out of it's traditional role in the early sixties. Mr. Parker apprenticed with Jimmy Garrison, amongst many others, and is an incredibly respected bassist. Mr. Gayle did play in NYC for a very brief while in the late sixties, and as legend has it,blew everyone away and then disappeared. He "reappeared" in the late '80's and has since become a free jazz legend.

Track two on this disc is, to me, a high point in Gayle's incredible discography. I think it is a perfect example of Gayle's live music at this time. Very well recorded and clocking in at over 20 minutes, it shows Gayle and the group, especially Parker, in amazing form. Some of the tracks do exhibit Gayle's piano playing, which is good, but not nearly as strong as his saxophone and bass clarinet. I witnessed him play several times in the mid '90's at the knitting factory and the Cooler, and I don't remember him ever playing piano. His saxophone playing, however, has most definitely changed lives.



If you like music that does not adhere to typical convention and is exceptionally honest and strong, then listen to these musicians. If not, don't listen to it."