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Charles Mingus: The Very Best Of Charles Mingus

By Mike Perciaccante
June 7, 2002
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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

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