[2016-01-08] Albert Ayler "Bells/Prophecy (Expanded Edition)" 2CD set (ESP-Disk)

Charlie · **Joined:** 23 Dec 2014 **Posts:** 14199

Description
This combined release features two live sets of early Albert Ayler material. 1964's Prophecy, Ayler's earliest recording date for ESP, features the trio that later recorded Spiritual Unity. On this date, the group is in spectacular form. 1965's Bells, finds Ayler in quintet form, backed by his brother Donald, Charles Tyler, Lewis Worrell, and the familiar Sunny Murray. Short and sweet, Bells is a 20-minute powerful, ferocious romp containing excellent group improvisation and Ayler's signature military-themed melodies.

Albert Ayler's trio with Gary Peacock and Sonny Murray is best known for the July 10, 1964 recording of Spiritual Unity, the album that made both Albert and ESP-Disk' famous when it was released. A decade after that, ESP-Disk' also released, as Prophecy (ESP3030), the first documentation of the group, as recorded a month earlier by Canadian poet Paul Haines at a concert at a 91st Street club. These Cellar Café recordings are augmented here beyond the five cuts on the original Prophecy by including another six tracks from the same gig. (We use the more accurate titles found in their release in the Holy Ghost box set on Revenant rather than the fanciful titles on their first issue, as Albert Smiles with Sunny on the German label In Respect. Note also that "Wizard" on CD 1 and "The Wizard" on CD 2 are different compositions.)

1965 yielded Ayler treasures as his style shifted. The transitional Bells was just under 20 minutes, originally released in 1965 as one side of a clear vinyl LP, with the other side empty of music. It was recorded at a May 1, 1965, Town Hall concert of ESP artists, displaying Ayler's new group. Murray remained, Albert's brother Donald joined on trumpet, and Lewis Worrell held down the bass slot. The denser sound of "Bells" shows Ayler moving toward the bigger sonic statement made on Spirits Rejoice (ESPDISK 1020CD/LP, 1965), his September 23, 1965, Judson Hall session. By the way, "Bells" as heard here is not, in fact, a single composition; rather, it is a medley moving from "Holy Ghost" to an unnamed theme and then into "Bells" proper. ESP-Disk' founder Bernard Stollman was so excited by "Bells" that he released it on one side of an LP without delaying to record additional music to fill the other side. "Bells" also happens to be the recorded debut of saxophonist Charles Tyler, who would go on to record for ESP as a leader (Charles Tyler Ensemble (ESPDISK 1029CD, 1966), and Eastern Man Alone (ESPDISK 1059CD, 1967)).

Tracklist
[CD1]
1. Bells
2. Spirits
3. Wizard
4. Ghosts, First Variation
5. Prophecy
6. Ghosts, Second Variation

[CD2]
1. Spirits
2. Saints
3. Ghosts
4. The Wizard
5. Children
6. Spirits (theme)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B017DD2J6O/?tag=imwan-20

[2016-01-08] Albert Ayler "Bells/Prophecy (Expanded Edition)" 2CD set (ESP-Disk)

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