Search - Charles Mingus :: Changes Two

Mingus' second late-career milestone

finulanu | Here, there, and everywhere | 11/22/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"So yes, Changes Two is about as good as Changes One. Which means, "An excellent album, even if it's not in the top class of Mingus albums". There's not really a bad song on this album (though the vocal version of "Duke Ellington's Sound of Love" is nice but needless), but the only song saving it from 3.5 stars is "Orange Was the Color of Her Dress, Then Blue Silk", which messes with your head with an ever-shifting arrangement. I actually think this was the first studio version ever released of "Dress" - a live favorite dating back to the '60s - and it's really worth hearing. Most the rest is pretty good, like the swinging "Free Cell Block F, 'Tis Nazi U.S.A.", the lively bop song "Black Bats and Poles", and the eerie, lingering closer "For Harry Carney". However, none of these are must-haves, unlike the first two tracks of Changes One, though song-for-song this one has its predecessor beat. We'll call 'em even, then, since while Two is more consistent, One has overall better songs, though also the lone flop of the project. Both discs are close to essential for any self-respecting Mingus collection anyway. Might as well get them both together, you know? In fact, a double-album that contains the best moments of both discs (taking off "Sue's Changes" and the vocal version of "Duke Ellington's Sound of Love")"

Taking it to new levels

L. Alzamora II | 06/02/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Been a practicing bass player for just over 20 years. Spent a 2 and 1/2 year run in Seattle (before moving back home to NY/NJ area) taking lessons from a local musician, and learned everything from fundamentals like hand positioning, all the way up to even being able to play 12 bar Gospel on the piano (something I never even considered being able to do). Charles Mingus was one of the People/Things I learned about along the way, and that discovery changed everything I thought about or wanted to accomplish in regards to music. I did some research, and learned that Mingus did the CHANGES albums at a time when people were finally "figuring out" just how important he was to the whole thing when it came to modern American music overall, and Jazz in particular. I'm glad that he finally did get some recognition, because I may never have discovered this daring new/old influence otherwise. It really rocks. I encourage more of you to find out for yourselves."