Ken Burns Jazz-Charles Mingus
In conjunction with the release of Ken Burns ten-part, 19-hour epic PBS documentary Jazz Columbia issued 22 single-disc compilations devoted to jazz's most significant artists, as well as a five-disc historical summary. Since the individual compilations attempt to present balanced overviews of each artist's career, tracks from multiple labels have thankfully been licensed where appropriate. Opening with the driving "Haitian Fight Song" (which some listeners may be surprised to recognize, thanks to its inclusion in a Volkswagen ad), this volume is spread reasonably well over Charles Mingus career, including at least one selection from nearly all of Mingus most classic albums. Given the constraints of a single disc, the compilation does a surprisingly good job of showcasing not only Mingus rich eclecticism (the flamenco-tinged "Ysabel's Table Dance," the gospel jubilation of "Better Git It in Your Soul," the elegiac Lester Young tribute "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat," a cover of Duke Ellington s "Mood Indigo" , but also his burning social conscience ("Fables of Faubus," which mocked the segregationist Arkansas governor's odd gait) and his absurdist sense of humor ("Eat That Chicken" and "The Shoes of the Fisherman's Wife Are Some Jive Ass Slippers" . Pretty much all of the albums from which these selections are taken should be heard in their entirety, but Ken Burns Jazz is an excellent introduction to some of Mingus signature pieces, and will almost certainly whet listeners' appetites for more. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
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Credits »
Bob Belden - Compilation Producer
Bob Belden - Discographical Information
Adam Block - Project Manager
Ken Burns - Executive Producer
Michael Cuscuna - Compilation Producer
Michael Cuscuna - Discographical Information
Didier C. Deutsch - Coordination
Didier C. Deutsch - Discographical Information
Jeff Jones - Executive Producer
Peter Keepnews - Editing
Mark Wilder - Mastering
Don Hunstein - Cover Photo
Seth Rothstein - Project Director
Howard Fritzson - Art Direction
Ron Goldstein - Executive Producer
Nate Herr - Project Manager
Hollis King - Art Direction
Ben Young - Discographical Information
Mike Charlasch - Project Director
Patti Matheny - Coordination
Carlos Kase - Discographical Information
Bryan Koniarz - Project Manager
Jeffrey Peisch - Project Director
Jeffrey Peisch - Photo Research
John Christiana - Packaging Manager
Lauren Atlas - Packaging Manager
Sarah Botstein - Project Director
Ken Druker - Project Manager
Victoria Gohl - Photo Research
Kristin Kozusko - Coordination
Adam Owett - Art Direction
Darren Salmieri - Coordination
Nathan Savage - Design
Clare Walker - Packaging Manager
Seth Foster - Mastering
Brian Priestley - Liner Notes
Charles Mingus - Main Performer
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