Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Charles Mingus: The Very Best Of Charles Mingus

Charles Mingus: The Very Best Of Charles Mingus

By Mike Perciaccante
June 7, 2002
Sign in to view read count

Mingus was a genius. The music on this CD is incredible. Anything that Mingus recorded was incredible. This being the Very Best Of, what does one expect, but fantastic performances. The only real complaint her is why one CD an not two. Mingus released enough "must have" classic compositions, that two CDs would be the most logical configuration for a Very Best Of.

The CD includes eleven tracks. They are, in order: "Pithecanthropus Erectus," "Profile Of Jackie," "Tonight At Noon," "Haitian Fight Song," "Reincarnation Of A Lovebird," "Moanin'," "Cryin' Blues," "Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting," "Ecclusiastics," "Passions Of A Man" and lastly "Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am." They are all essential Mingus. However, Passions of a Man: The Complete Atlantic Recordings (1956-1961) includes every one of these tracks (and more). Passions is truly Rhino's Very Best Of Mingus compilation.

This CD is an excellent primer for those who are just discovering the late jazzman's music. Every track of the eleven on this compilation is a winner. Neophytes should buy this CD and then dive headfirst into the catalog of this bop innovator.

Track Listing

1. Pithecanthropus Erectus (Mingus) - 10:36 2. Profile of Jackie (Mingus) - 3:11 3. Tonight at Noon (Mingus) - 6:01 4. Haitian Fight Song (Mingus) - 12:02 5. Reincarnation of a Lovebird (Mingus) - 8:35 6. Moanin' (Mingus) - 8:02 7. Cryin' Blues (Mingus) - 5:03 8. Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting (Mingus) - 5:43 9. Ecclusiastics (Mingus) - 6:59 10. Passions of a Man (Mingus) - 4:57 11. Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am (Mingus) - 4:42

Personnel

Charles Mingus

bass, acoustic

Pepper Adams - Sax (Baritone) Booker Ervin - Sax (Tenor) Rahsaan Roland Kirk - Flute, Sax (Tenor), Stritch, Manzello, Siren Jimmy Knepper - Trombone Charles Mingus - Bass, Vocals Horace Parlan - Piano Dannie Richmond - Drums Mal Waldron - Piano Doug Watkins - Bass Willie Dennis - Trombone Wade Legge - Piano Willie Jones - Drums Jackie McLean - Sax (Alto)

Album information

Title: The Very Best Of Charles Mingus | Year Released: 2002 | Record Label: Atlantic Jazz

About Charles Mingus Follow

Instrument: Bass, acoustic

Related Articles | Albums | Photos | Similar To

Tags

For the Love of Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help

To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.