Search - Joe McPhee :: Underground Railroad+Live At Holy Cross (1968/69)

But How Will It Play In Poughkeepsie??

Christopher Forbes | Brooklyn,, NY | 05/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Time was, back in the heady days of the early 70s, that almost every small city had its avant-garde jazz scene. Though not by any means a big draw anywhere, music of the avant-garde did seem to reflect both the unrest and the optimism of the times. Now that a real free scene, even in the free jazz "renaissance" of the 90s, is only something that can be said to exist in only a few cities in the country, one can only look back and marvel at the incredible set of musicians that Joe McPhee was able to assemble in, of all places, Poughkeepsie NY. This recording is a document of that rare time. It actually consists of two things, the reissue after almost 30 years, of McPhee's rare album Underground Railroad. This album was recorded at Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, New York. It consists of one long and furious title track, a shorter ballad that features drummer Ernest Bostic on vibes, and a final bluesy number. This music is marvelous. The quartet features wonderful and barely known musicians. In addition to Bostic, there is terrific bass work from Tyrone Crabbe and a wonderful horn foil in Reggie Marks. McPhee is terrific here, crafting a mix of funky blues, modally based improve and Ayler fireworks. McPhee spends much of his time on his first instrument, the trumpet, but also for the first time records on what would become his main ax, the tenor sax. This disc would be worth getting for these three cuts alone.But the second part of the disc is a considerable surprise in it's own right. It consists of a previously unreleased recorded concert at Holy Cross featuring McPhee's large group. The material is once again incendiary. A furious version of Evidence opens the concert, which continues with a funky blues based composition, a lament for the four girls killed in the Birmingham church blast, and some out and out free blowing. The quality of the live recording does leave something to be desired. Often the balance is skewed toward the drums, the poor horns can sound like they are in another room, and forget about ever hearing Crabbe's bass...but somehow, the power of the music still comes through. This is great free jazz, full of passion, anger and deep soulfulness. Thanks again to John Corbett and the good people at Atavistic for this wonderful series. Unheard music is resurrecting so many good recordings, and free jazz fans everywhere should snap them up, before they once again become unheard!"

Soulful free jazz of the highest quality

Peter E. Johansen | 03/18/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If one thinks of so-called avant-garde jazz as an intellectual exercise lacking real "soul", this CD might be grounds to reconsider your opinion. The whole band sounds like they are on fire, and Joe Mcphee plays free-jazz tenor in the gospel tradition. I can find nothing in Allmusic about the drummer - Ernest Bostic - but here he sounds like Rashied Ali hitting the drums harder than ANY heavy metal drummer. Their version of Monk's Evidence sounds especially inspired, and I'm still digesting all the passion unleashed in these two discs."