Friday, July 29, 2011

Sun Ra - What's New? A Cobbled but Complete Copy (1975)

Though still extremely difficult to find, most copies of What's New? are a hybrid that contain the A Side of The Invisible Shield as the B side. Even more rare is to find a copy of the original B Side, "We Roam The Cosmos." I understand why Ra might have decided to change the B side - The Invisible Shield tracks are a better match with Side A and make for a more consistent listening experience. I'm a sucker for a good cosmo-drama, so the chance to include the ultra-rare We Roam The Cosmos is something I couldn't pass up. With the help of some thoughtful and generous blog readers, I can offer you a 'cobbled but complete' version that includes the entire What's New? album with both the original Side B and the Invisible Shield tracks.

Many thanks to Marc E of Philadelphia and to I-) for making this possible.

95. [82] Sun Ra

What's New?

Sun Ra (p.); Al Evans (flg); Danny Davis (as); Marshall Allen (fl, picc); John Gilmore (ts); Calvin Newborn (eg); Ronnie Boykins (b); Tommy Hunter (d).

Choreographers Workshop,
NYC, late 1962

What's New? (Burke-Haggart)
Wanderlust (Calvin Newborn)
Jukin' (Al Evans)

96. [83] Sun Ra (p.); John Gilmore (ts); Ronnie Boykins (b); poss. Tommy Hunter (d).

Choreographers Workshop,
NYC, late 1962

Autumn in New York (Duke)

These tracks were issued in 1975 on Side A of Saturn LP 539, What's New? The matrix number for this side is SRA 52375A. On Urs Berger's original version, this side is labeled Saturn 539. On Alden Kimbrough's original copy, this side bears an orange label. Mark Webber points out that all subsequent pressings have Side A of The Invisible Shield (matrix 144000A for a B-side. Date from ct; composer credits indicate the presence of Calvin Newborn and Al Evans; other personnel identified by rlc.

226. [195] Sun Ra Arkestra

What's New?

Sun Ra (declamation); June Tyson (space ethnic voice); Akh Tal Ebah (space ethnic voice); poss. Eddie Thomas [Thomas Thaddeus] (space ethnic voice); poss. Cheryl Banks (space ethnic voice); poss. Judith Holton (space ethnic voice); unidentified (b); poss. Atakatune (c/a).

Live, poss. May 23, 1975

Space Is the Place (Ra) /
We Roam the Cosmos (Ra)

First released in 1975 as Side B of Saturn LP 539/752, What's New? Side B bears the matrix number 52375B and the number 752 on the label (on Alden Kimbrough's copy, the Side B label is black and does not match the orange Side A label). The only title on Side B is "Sub Underground Series" (Kimbrough's copy of the album is titled Sub Underground #1). The 10:30 track begins with the conclusion of a live performance of "Space Is the Place" and launches without pause into a lengthy "cosmo-drama," here titled with the first line of Ra's declamation. Personnel identified by rlc. Almost all copies of What's New? replace the original B side with Side A of The Invisible Shield. Thanks to Urs Berger for information and a tape of the very rare original version.

from The Earthly Recordings 2nd ed.

Original, non-hybridized (mega-rare !!!) El Saturn LP ES752-A / ES752-B (matrix # SRA 53275 A / B) called «What's New ?» - contrary to most copies of this album, this copy is the original version that has the «We Roam The Cosmos» B-side, not the (usual) side A of «The Invisible Shield».

None of the Sun Ra discographies previous to Robert L. Campbell's 1st edition (1994) mentioned this version of the «What's New ?» album. Even the listing in Mr. Campbell's preliminary (to the 1st edition) discography (on which the discography on the Saturn home-page is based) still notes : «seems to exist only in hybridized versions» - see : http://www.dpo.uab.edu/~moudry/disc_a.htm#20. Mr. Campbell's 1st edition finally mentions one (!!!) known copy with one label orange, the other black. Since then, a few copies have been discovered, including this one. It is reasonable to assume that the copy here is the 1st original version, since both its labels are black «El Saturn» with the Chicago address and the same «752» catalogue number and both sides have the «SRA 53275» matrix number. The labels give no track listing, only «Sub Underground Series … volume____». Side A has four tracks (What's New?, Wanderlust, Jukin' and Autumn In New York, recorded in New York in 1962), while the Side B has one single track, the cosmo-drama «We Roam The Cosmos» (named after the first exclamation following the fade-in of the end of Space Is The Place), recorded live in 1975. This track is unlike anything else in Sun Ra's discography : the band members are truly in trance and the energy unbelieveable … the vocals are occasionally overmiked / in the red … only possibly parts of the side 2 of «Out Beyond The Kingdom Of» have some similarity to this recording.

The cover is one with the eagle motif on the front and the Acropolis on the rear, the paper lightly textured. This is certainly the original cover of this particular edition, as I know a second copy exactly like this one.

Even the hybridized version of this album is rarely seen and a copy has recently reached $230 here on eBay. The reserve for this copy is set at $325.

via

Sun Ra Arkestra - What's New? (Cobbled but Complete)

1. What's New   6:55
2. Wanderlust   5:53
3. Jukin'   2:26
4. Autumn in New York   6:59

5. State Street   3:45
6. Sometimes I'm Happy   6:42
7. Time after Time 1   2:18
8. Time after Time 2   3:30
9. Easy to Love   3:27
10. Sunnyside Up   3:36

11. We Roam The Cosmos 10:30

FLAC

320

If you missed it, here is The Invisible Shield

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Sun Ra - The Invisible Shield (1974)

Most of The Invisible Shield was reissued on the 1201Music label and divided between the CDs Janus and Standards. Two tracks, however, "State Street" and "Time After Time 1" were not reissued and are only found on this 1974 LP.

Saturn LP 529, The Invisible Shield, was first issued in 1974. At various times, it has also been titled A Tonal View of Times Tomorrow volume 2, Janus, and Satellites are Outerspace... (the last is a Saturn re-pressing from Blast First, available in 1989 and 1990). The band was identified as "Sun Ra and his Intergalactic Research Arkestra." There are many hybrid pressings in which this Side A replaces the original Side B of Saturn 539, What's New?

97. [84] Sun Ra and his Intergalactic Research Arkestra

The Invisible Shield

Sun Ra (p.); Walter Miller (tp); Al Evans (flg); Ali Hassan (tb); Marshall Allen (as, fl); John Gilmore (ts); Pat Patrick (bars); Michael White (vln); Ronnie Boykins (b); Clifford Jarvis (d).

Choreographers Workshop,
NYC, late 1962

State Street (Ra)

This track appeared on Side A (matrix 144000A, 14400A on some labels) which has also appeared as side B on most copies of What's New? The violinist has been mistakenly identified as Stuff Smith; Richard Wilkinson says Michael White. Al Evans identified on then label as soloist; Boykins, Miller, and Jarvis also mentioned on the label. Date given by Saturn merely as "'60s."

102. [89] Sun Ra and his Myth Science Arkestra

The Invisible Shield

Sun Ra (p.); Walter Miller (tp); John Gilmore (ts); Ronnie Boykins (b); Clifford Jarvis (d).

Time after Time 1 (Cahn-Styne)
Time after Time 2 (cahn-Styne) [no ts]
Easy to Love (Porter)
Sunnyside Up (DeSylva-Brown)

According to [Julian] Vein, a batch of tracks including "Sometimes I'm Happy" (from another session) and "Time after Time" through "But Not for Me" were sold to Black Lion in 1971 but not issued at that time.

102a. Sun Ra and his Myth Science Arkestra

Sun Ra (p.); John Gilmore (ts); Ronnie Boykins (b); Lex Humphries (d).

Choreographers Workshop, NYC,
late 1962 or early 1963

Sometimes I'm Happy (Caesar-Youmans)

Careful listening to this track indicates that the drummer is not Clifford Jarvis as previously thought (Jarvis had a heavy and characteristic emphasis on the bass drum at this point in his career, and it is absent on this track). The drummer appears to be Lex Humphries…

165. [147] Sun Ra and his Intergalactic Research Arkestra

The Invisible Shield

Sun Ra (p.); Marshall Allen (fl); Danny Davis (acl); prob. Ronnie Boykins (b); John Gilmore (perc); poss. Pat Patrick (perc).

Variety Recording Studio, NYC,
1968-1970

Island in the Sun (Ra)

The date for this session is not firm. The Saturn jacket merely says "1970s" and gives Philadelphia as the location. The instrumentation is also compatible with a 1968-1969 date. This composition is also known as "Islands in Space," and has been recorded under that name by Michael Ray and the Cosmic Krewe.

166. [148] Sun Ra (org, Mini-Moog, syn); Marshall Allen (as); poss. Danny Davis (as); Danny Ray Thompson (libf); prob. Clifford Jarvis (d).
Live recording, 1970

The Invisible Shield (Ra)

This one can be more confidently dated because of the synthesizer.

167. [149] Sun Ra (Clavinet or gong -- intro only; dir); John Gilmore (ts, bells); Danny Davis (as, perc); Marshall Allen (picc, perc); poss. Robert Cummings (bcl, perc); Ronnie Boykins (b); Art Jenkins (voc, space voice); Tommy Hunter (perc, reverb); prob. Pat Patrick (bgo, perc).

Choreographers Workshop, NYC, 1963/
Sun Studios, NYC, 1967-1968

Janus (Ra)

1970 was given as the date for all three tracks by Tilman Stahl (and it is listed on the labels of some copies of The Invisible Shield. We have recently obtained indisputable evidence that "Janus" was done earlier.

In fact, careful listening to the CD remastering of "Janus" indicates two recordings from different dates that were spliced together by Ra later on. The 35 seconds of loud low banging sounds that open the piece were produced by Ra on his Hohner Clavinet or perhaps on a gong (with deliberately distorted recording); the recording location was the Sun Studios, New York City, and the probable date 1967-1968. The main body of "Janus" (over 6 minutes of music) were recorded in Sunny's psychedelic year, 1963.

"Island in the Sun," "The Invisible Shield," and "Janus" were sold to Alan Bates of Black Lion in December 1971, along with two tracks, "Velvet" and "Joy," which stem from an early 1968 concert. Black Lion never released them (Julian Vein). They were first issued (without "Velvet" and "Joy") as Side B of the LP The Invisible Shield, Saturn LP 529 or 144000/144000B, which was initially released in 1974 (some labels misrender the matrix number as 14400. Urs Berger's copy has yellow Philadelphia labels on both sides (with a 1973 date) and was sold in white porthole sleeves, but many other varieties exist.

These tracks also appear on a hybrid Invisible Shield on which Side A is replaced by 14200B from Space Probe.

Still another hybrid Invisible Shield carries 144000B as Side A and 143000B (from Outer Spaceways Incorporated) as Side B. Urs Berger's copy has bluish labels from Philadelphia (with a 1973 release date) on both sides and was sold in a plain white porthole sleeve. This hybrid was sold at concerts in Britain in 1990 and 1991; copies had a blue-purple Chicago-style El Saturn label and a plain white sleeve.

The complete package that was sold to Alan Bates was finally brought together in October 1999 as Janus, 1201 Music CD 90122.
from The Earthly Recordings 2nd ed.

Remarks that Art Jenkins made when "Janus" was played over radio station WKCR-FM, New York City, on April 17, 1987 - Sun Ra had challenged Jenkins to "sing about Africa." Among other things Jenkins said, "So after several rehearsals, we were ready... This time, my spirit took me back to Africa. And it was like in a dreamworld sense, but I was back in an African village, with African musicians, singers, and dancers. It was like, 'It's your time to sing.' One singer moves to the next singer, and so forth, just like the (universal) voice moves."

The Invisible Shield

1. State Street   3:45
2. Sometimes I'm Happy   6:42
3. Time after Time 1   2:18
4. Time after Time 2   3:30
5. Easy to Love   3:27
6. Sunnyside Up   3:36

7. Island in the Sun   5:41
8. The Invisible Shield   5:37
9. Janus   7:09

FLAC

320

Many Thanks to Marc E of Philly for his LP rip and to I-) for his patience & clean-up capabilities!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Shibusashirazu - Space Is The Place (2004) video

Space IS the Place!
Download m4v

If you missed the last post, Images.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Sun Ra - Chicago Jazz Festival Sept 2 1981

Long before music television filled the airwaves, the WTTW series Soundstage sparked the nation. In an impressive run from 1974-1985, this innovative and prestigious program achieved widespread critical acclaim and featured the artists that defined the era, including such luminaries as Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Bonnie Raitt, Al Green, the Doobie Brothers, Harry Chapin, Dionne Warwick, the Temptations and Kenny Loggins.

In 1981, the Chicago Jazz Festival opening festivities featuring the Sun Ra Arkestra were taped and later broadcast on Soundstage. This 30 minute broadcast may not be all that survives of the concert...

Download

351. [267] Sun Ra Arkestra

Sun Ra (org, syn, declamation); Ronnie Brown (tp); unidentified (tp); Tyrone Hill (tb); Vincent Chancey (Fr hn); Marshall Allen (as, fl, perc); Eloe Omoe (as, bcl, perc); John Gilmore (ts, timb); Danny Ray Thompson (bars, as, perc); James Jacson (bsn, fl, Inf-d); Carl LeBlac (eg); Hayes Burnett (b); Samarai Celestial [Eric Walker] (d); Craig Haynes (d); poss. Atakatune (cga); June Tyson (voc, dance); Carla Washington (dance); unidentified female (dance).

Chicago Jazz Festival, Grant Park,

Chicago, September 2, 1981

comments by announcer [Marty Robinson]

When There Is No Sun (Ra) [ens voc]

Along Came Ra (Ra) [JT, ens voc]

Discipline 27 (Ra)

Big John's Special (H. Henderson)

Happy as the Day Is Long (Koehler-Arlen)

Fate in a Pleasant Mood (Ra) [SR declamation; ens voc]

Space Is the Place (Ra) [JT, ens voc; inc]

This concert survives in the form of audio and videotapes derived from a 30-minute broadcast over WTTM. Terry Martin believes that the original unedited videotape may still survive. Tunes from Robert Iannapollo; personnel identified from the video. The second trumpet player is also on the Left Bank Jazz Society concert (probably summer 1978) that was filmed for A Joyful Noise. Carla Washington says she performed at this concert, and Craig Haynes has confirmed his presence.

from The Earthly Recordings 2nd ed.

Many Thanks to Marc E. of Philadelphia for use of his video tape!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Sun Ra - Some Very Early, Very Rare Recordings

In both anticipation and celebration of the forthcoming Transparency release, The Eternal Myth Revealed, please enjoy this homemade compilation of early, rare Sun Ra recordings.

This is another gift from our kind reader who prefers to remain anonymous.

Very Early, Very Rare Sun Ra Singles - A Homemade Compilation

1. possibly Clarence Williams: Chocolate Avenue

2. possibly Clarence Williams: Chocolate Avenue

3. The Dozier Boys and Eugene Wright: Big Time Baby

Gene Wright (b); Hobart Dotson (tp); John Avant (tb); Roy Grant or Frank Robinson (as); Yusef Lateef (ts); Sonny Blount (p); Robert Henderson (d) The Dozier Boys (voc)
Aristocrat 3002A, 78 RPM, United Broadcasting Studios, Chicago, 12/48

4. The Dozier Boys and Eugene Wright: Music Goes Round and Round

Gene Wright (b); Hobart Dotson (tp); John Avant (tb); Roy Grant or Frank Robinson (as); Yusef Lateef (ts); Sonny Blount (p); Robert Henderson (d) The Dozier Boys (voc)
Aristocrat 3002B, 78 RPM, United Broadcasting Studios, Chicago, 12/48

5. Eugene Wright and his Dukes of Swing: Pork 'n' Beans

Gene Wright (b); Hobart Dotson (tp); John Avant (tb); Roy Grant or Frank Robinson (as); Yusef Lateef (ts); Sonny Blount (p); Robert Henderson (d)
Aristocrat 11001A, 78 RPM 1948

6. Eugene Wright and his Dukes of Swing: Dawn Mist

Gene Wright (b); Hobart Dotson (tp); John Avant (tb); Roy Grant or Frank Robinson (as); Yusef Lateef (ts); Sonny Blount (p); Robert Henderson (d)
Aristocrat 11001A, 78 RPM 1948

7. Jo Jo Adams: Call My Baby

Jo Jo Adams (voc) with Sonny Cohn (tp); Leon Washington (ts); McKinley Easton (bars); unidentified (eg); Earl Washington (p); prob. Jimmy Richardson (b); Red Saunders (d); Sun Ra (arr).
Parrot 788, Relic 7016, Probably Universal Recording, Chicago, 9/53

8. Jo Jo Adams: Rebecca

9. Billy Brooks/Red Saunders Band: This Is My Prayer

Robert "Billy" Brooks (voc); Red Saunders (d, dir); Sonny Cohn (tp); unidentified (tp); Riley Hampton (as, cl); Leon Washington (ts, cl); McKinley Easton (bars, bcl); Earl Washington (p); Ike Perkins (eg); Jimmy Richardson (b); prob. Sun Ra (arr)
Duke 149, Chicago, 2/18/55

10. Billy Brooks/Red Saunders Band: I Want Your Love Tonight

11. Billie Hawkins accompanied by Sun Ra and his Arkestra: I'm Coming Home
Heartbeat H-3-45, 45 RPM, RCA Studios, Chicago, 1/56

12. Billie Hawkins accompanied by Sun Ra and his Arkestra: Last Call For Love
Heartbeat H-4-45, 45 RPM, RCA Studios, Chicago, 1/56

13. Sun Ra and his Arkestra featuring Pat Patrick on the baritone: A Blue One

Pat Patrick(bars); Sun Ra(p); Ronnie Boykins(b);Tommy Hunter(dr); unidentified clapping
Saturn SRA-999, Early 1962

14. Sun Ra and his Arkestra featuring Pat Patrick on the baritone: Orbitration In Blue

Pat Patrick(bars); Sun Ra(p); Ronnie Boykins(b);Tommy Hunter(dr); unidentified clapping
Saturn SRA-999, Early 1962

15. Red Saunders and his Orchestra: Hambone

Red Saunders (d, ldr); Fip Ricard (tp); Sonny Cohn (tp); Harlan "Booby" Floyd (tb); John Avant (tb); Riley Hampton (as); Leon Washington (ts); McKinley Easton (bars); Earl Washington (p); unidentified (g -1) Jimmy Richardson (b); Dolores Hawkins (voc, whistling); The Hambone Kids: Delecta "Dee" Clark, Sammy McGrier, Ronny Strong (voc, hamboning); Sonny Blount (arr).
Okeh 6862, Columbia Studios, Chicago, 1/18/52

16. Red Saunders and his Orchestra: Hambone (alt.)

17. Red Saunders and his Orchestra: Mambo In Trumpet

Red Saunders (d, ldr); Fip Ricard (tp); Sonny Cohn (tp); Harlan "Booby" Floyd (tb); John Avant (tb); Riley Hampton (as); Leon Washington (ts); McKinley Easton (bars, as); Earl Washington (p); Jimmy Richardson (b); Jumpin' Joe Williams (voc); unidentified vocal group (backing voc); Sun Ra (arr).Sun Ra, arranger
Okeh 6953, Columbia Studios, Chicago, 1/21/53

18. Red Saunders and his Orchestra: Probably

19. Red Saunders and his Orchestra: Honky Tonk Train Blues

Red Saunders (d, ldr); Fip Ricard (tp); Sonny Cohn (tp); Harlan "Booby" Floyd (tb); John Avant (tb); Riley Hampton cl); Leon Washington (cl); McKinley Easton (cl); Earl Washington (p); Jimmy Richardson (b); Jumpin' Joe Williams (voc); unidentified vocal group (backing voc); Sun Ra (arr).
Columbia/Legacy 64988, Columbia Studios, Chicago, 1/21/53

20. Billy Brooks/Red Saunders Band: Mambo Is Everywhere

21. Billy Brooks/Red Saunders Band: Donna

Total time: 61:26

FLAC

320

New links in Comments

Robert L. Campbell, Chris Trent, and Robert Pruter have published a web page detailing (or at least mentioning) each of the recordings above and many others:

From Sonny Blount to Sun Ra:The Chicago Years