Search - Sun Ra :: We Travel the Spaceways / Bad & Beautiful

One of the best Evidence reissues!

06/25/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Normally I hate when critics say "it's worth the price for "[fill in the song title]" alone. Rarely does one song justify a purchase. "Search Light Blues," though, is such a song. The rest of the album is outstanding as well!"

Weakest of the two-fers

Scott McFarland | Manassas, VA United States | 10/23/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Of the "two-fers" Evidence has put out, this is far from the strongest - I wouldn't start here. But as an archeological collection, this is not without interest."We Travel the Spaceways" - the tracks here were nearly all recorded on other (available) recordings - and generally the versions on other albums are preferable. Hence, this becomes the equivalent of listening to an early rehearsal tape, and in places the sound is so low-fi that it bolsters this effect. But - "Tapestry From An Asteriod" - amazing. The variations on the other tracks are interesting to hear, also, it should be said."Bad and Beautiful" is pretty abstract - I can't get into much of it. I just don't hear a lot in it. My favorite track on there is probably "Exotic Two" where the chattering percussion anticipates the "world music" trend and approaches some kind of aggressive trance - but it's far from Ra's best music."

A long time favorite

07/06/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been listening to Bad and Beautiful for 30 years.

The title track is the theme song from the movie, and it features a wonderful arrangement by Sun in which the tenor and flute share the melody. It has a very optimistic and careful pace with an ending that leaves you hanging.Ankh is the ROOTS! Sun recorded it earlier on Delmark, here it is a bit darker and has an otherworld vibe. Just In Time, a nice standard with tenor blowing by John Gilmore. Gilmore was a wonderful tenor who hopefully will not be forgotten. Search Light Blues is another title; it evokes a dark, stormy mood. This music represents a battle of the elements, a lonely voice in the distance in danger of being washed away by the waves. Sun really knew how how to use those diminished chords.The music world can only thank Sun Ra for all of the beautiful music he made. Those who hear him will remember him. Will you?"