Spirits Rejoice

Spirits Rejoice

ASIN: B00004U8T2

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Reissue of the legendary free jazz saxophonist's final albumfor the ESP label, originally released in 1965 & featuring his brother Donald, plus Charles Tyler, Henry Grimes, Gary Peacock, Sunny Murray & Cal Cobbs. Five tracks. Each of the 1,000 numbered copies pressed up for this limited edition release comes in a miniaturized LP sleeve with the original cover art intact. 1998 Get Back Records release. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Spirits Rejoice,Albert Ayler,Esp-Disk / Caliber,Jazz,Pop

Average customer rating:

A powerful recording.

Spirits Rejoice
Albert Ayler
Manufacturer: Esp Disk Ltd.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Spiritual Unity

ASIN: B000CNF4FQ
Release Date: 2006-02-28

Tracks:

Spirits Rejoice
Holy Family
D. C.
Angels
Prophet

Album Description

"Spirits Rejoice is proof that there was an underlying logic even to Ayler's most extreme moments, and that's why it remains a tremendously inspiring recording." - ALL MUSIC GUIDE

Judson Hall (now Cami Hall), on West 57th Street in New York, was chosen by engineer David Hancock for its acoustics. On the afternoon of September 23, 1965, this private session was recorded at 30 IPS, rather than the customary 15 IPS, to achieve the highest possible fidelity.

Customer Reviews:

A powerful recording........2006-04-20

Albert Ayler's "Spirits Rejoice" represents the first real codification of the sound which he would work in for the next several years-- while "Bells", recorded three months prior began introducing this sound, "Spirits Rejoice", from September of 1965 fully embraces it. Relying on multiple horns and march-like (or gospel-like) melodies, the music is deceptively simple, serving as a launching point for improvisation. The thing that's intriguing is that for pieces that are by-and-large considered difficult, Ayler's melodies are catchy and get stuck in your head, and by and large this is the pinnacle of the direction his career has been heading.

Performing exclusively on tenor sax, Ayler is joined by two other horns-- his brother Don on trumpet and alto saxophonist Charles Tyler. Don provides an interesting foil for Albert-- whereas Cherry provided a foil in delicacy to Ayler's aggressiveness and Cherry's predecessor Norman Howard adopted Ayler's wide vibrato, Don pursues an aggressive mode that avoids emulating his brother's vibrato. Tyler, for his part, seems to stick a bit closer to Ayler, providing an additional horn voice, particularly when Ayler cuts loose, holding down the melody. The remainder of the band is bassists Henry Grimes and Gary Peacock (the latter recording with Ayler for the last time) and drummer Sunny Murray. The bassists maintain a dialog with each other, providing a foundation, a countermelody, and almost a pillow to work on-- this role had previously been filled by Murray, who seems now concerned largely will accent and space and almost a direct beat statement rather than pure implication.

The pieces are by and large ecstatic-- generally avoiding the lyricism found on earlier records for excited call and response pieces ("Spirits Rejoice", which is almost a carefully constructed variant on "Bells" and the gospel-like theme "Holy Family") or aggressive explosivenes ("D.C" and "Prophet"). On the latter two, Don Ayler in particular solos powerfully and aggressively, managing to step out of the shadow of his brother, even if only briefly. The only cut that breaks this sound is titled on here "Angels" (although previously referred to as "Prophecy"). Featuring Call Cobbs on poorly recorded harpsichord (and with Don Ayler and Charles Tyler laying out), Albert digs in deep in a ballad form and expresses himself in a lyrical manner that belies the usual suspicions that he's incapable of straight playing as he stays pretty far inside on his beautiful soloing.

This reissue is newly remastered from the original tapes courtesy of the newly reborn ESP-Disk record label. The new transfer brings out subtlety and detail, particularly in the three part horn harmonies-- on previous issues, Tyler was hard to distinguish in the mix, being able to better hear and understand his role is enormously valuable.

Ayler's music is exciting and this is really quite a good example of it, it's not quite the masterpiece some of his earlier work (free jazz summit "Vibrations") is, or quite as good or essential an example as "Live in Greenwich Village", but its really quite a good record. Recommended.

Average customer rating:

A powerful recording

Spirits Rejoice
Albert Ayler
Manufacturer: Get Back
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000695M6
Release Date: 1999-08-11

Tracks:

Spirits Rejoice
Holy Family
D. C.
Angels
Prophet

Album Description

Italian edition of 1965 album for one of the giants of free jazz. Recorded live at New York's Judson Hall in 1965. The ensemble features Ayler's brother Donald on trumpet, alto saxophonist Charles Tyler, Cal Cobbs on harpsichord, Gary Peacock and Henry Grimes on duel basses and Sunny Murray ondrums.

Customer Reviews:

A powerful recording.......2005-09-15

Albert Ayler's "Spirits Rejoice" represents the first real codification of the sound which he would work in for the next several years-- while "Bells", recorded three months prior began introducing this sound, "Spirits Rejoice", from September of 1965 fully embraces it. Relying on multiple horns and march-like (or gospel-like) melodies, the music is deceptively simple, serving as a launching point for improvisation. The thing that's intriguing is that for pieces that are by-and-large considered difficult, Ayler's melodies are catchy and get stuck in your head, and by and large this is the pinnacle of the direction his career has been heading.

Performing exclusively on tenor sax, Ayler is joined by two other horns-- his brother Don on trumpet and alto saxophonist Charles Tyler. Don provides an interesting foil for Albert-- whereas Cherry provided a foil in delicacy to Ayler's aggressiveness and Cherry's predecessor Norman Howard adopted Ayler's wide vibrato, Don pursues an aggressive mode that avoids emulating his brother's vibrato. Unfortunately the third horn in Charles Tyler is virtually inaudible. The remainder of the band is bassists Henry Grimes and Gary Peacock (the latter recording with Ayler for the last time) and drummer Sunny Murray. The bassists maintain a dialog with each other, providing a foundation, a countermelody, and almost a pillow to work on-- this role had previously been filled by Murray, who seems now concerned largely will accent and space and almost a direct beat statement rather than pure implication.

The pieces are by and large ecstatic-- generally avoiding the lyricism found on earlier records for excited call and response pieces ("Spirits Rejoice", which is almost a carefully constructed variant on "Bells" and the gospel-like theme "Holy Family") or aggressive explosivenes ("D.C" and "Prophet"). On the latter two, Don Ayler in particular solos powerfully and aggressively, managing to step out of the shadow of his brother, even if only briefly. The only cut that breaks this sound is titled on here "Angels" (although previously referred to as "Prophecy"). Featuring Call Cobbs on poorly recorded harpsichord (and with Don Ayler and Charles Tyler laying out), Albert digs in deep in a ballad form and expresses himself in a lyrical manner that belies the usual suspicions that he's incapable of straight playing as he stays pretty far inside on his beautiful soloing.

Edit: An important note-- vastly improved sound quality is available on the 2006 remaster of this recording from the recent-resurrected ESP-Disk record label, that's the one you want.

Ayler's music is exciting and this is really quite a good example of it, it's not quite the masterpiece some of his earlier work (free jazz summit "Vibrations") is, or quite as good or essential an example as "Live in Greenwich Village", but its really quite a good record. Recommended.

Average customer rating:

A powerful recording.
A bit of a transistion, maybe
Essential Avant-Garde Purchase
Essential Avant-Garde Purchase

Spirits Rejoice
Albert Ayler
Manufacturer: Esp Records Denmark
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000005TCI
Release Date: 1993-01-04

Album Description

Reissue of the legendary free jazz saxophonist's final albumfor the ESP label, originally released in 1965 & featuring his brother Donald, plus Charles Tyler, Henry Grimes, Gary Peacock, Sunny Murray & Cal Cobbs. Five tracks. Each of the 1,000 numbered copies pressed up for this limited edition release comes in a miniaturized LP sleeve with the original cover art intact. 1998 Get Back Records release.

Customer Reviews:

A powerful recording........2005-09-15

Albert Ayler's "Spirits Rejoice" represents the first real codification of the sound which he would work in for the next several years-- while "Bells", recorded three months prior began introducing this sound, "Spirits Rejoice", from September of 1965 fully embraces it. Relying on multiple horns and march-like (or gospel-like) melodies, the music is deceptively simple, serving as a launching point for improvisation. The thing that's intriguing is that for pieces that are by-and-large considered difficult, Ayler's melodies are catchy and get stuck in your head, and by and large this is the pinnacle of the direction his career has been heading.

Performing exclusively on tenor sax, Ayler is joined by two other horns-- his brother Don on trumpet and alto saxophonist Charles Tyler. Don provides an interesting foil for Albert-- whereas Cherry provided a foil in delicacy to Ayler's aggressiveness and Cherry's predecessor Norman Howard adopted Ayler's wide vibrato, Don pursues an aggressive mode that avoids emulating his brother's vibrato. Unfortunately the third horn in Charles Tyler is virtually inaudible. The remainder of the band is bassists Henry Grimes and Gary Peacock (the latter recording with Ayler for the last time) and drummer Sunny Murray. The bassists maintain a dialog with each other, providing a foundation, a countermelody, and almost a pillow to work on-- this role had previously been filled by Murray, who seems now concerned largely will accent and space and almost a direct beat statement rather than pure implication.

The pieces are by and large ecstatic-- generally avoiding the lyricism found on earlier records for excited call and response pieces ("Spirits Rejoice", which is almost a carefully constructed variant on "Bells" and the gospel-like theme "Holy Family") or aggressive explosivenes ("D.C" and "Prophet"). On the latter two, Don Ayler in particular solos powerfully and aggressively, managing to step out of the shadow of his brother, even if only briefly. The only cut that breaks this sound is titled on here "Angels" (although previously referred to as "Prophecy"). Featuring Call Cobbs on poorly recorded harpsichord (and with Don Ayler and Charles Tyler laying out), Albert digs in deep in a ballad form and expresses himself in a lyrical manner that belies the usual suspicions that he's incapable of straight playing as he stays pretty far inside on his beautiful soloing.

Edit: An important note-- vastly improved sound quality is available on the 2006 remaster of this recording from the recent-resurrected ESP-Disk record label, that's the one you want.

Ayler's music is exciting and this is really quite a good example of it, it's not quite the masterpiece some of his earlier work (free jazz summit "Vibrations") is, or quite as good or essential an example as "Live in Greenwich Village", but its really quite a good record. Recommended.

A bit of a transistion, maybe.......2000-10-27

Ayler was fleshing out his group at this point from a trio to the larger ensembles utilized on the impulse! recordings. Like most ESPs this is a very short set, not that that should matter when the music is so strong.

I give this recording 4 stars in relation to other Ayler releases. Personally, I think The three essential Aylers are Spiritual Unity, Greenwich and Love Cry. Those new to ayler should start with one of those and after you've discovered the beauty of his work, dive into the rest of his ESP discs.

Essential Avant-Garde Purchase.......2000-10-18

It's wonderful that with the ESP label's demise, others are making available classic titles like Sun Ra's "Heliocentric Worlds," Ornette's "Town Hall Concert," and Ayler's "Spiritual Unity" and this title, "Spirits Rejoice." While "Spiritual Unity" explores Ayler's music in a trio setting, "Spirits Rejoice" uses additional horns, two basses and even harpsichord on one track (Scarlatti eat your heart out!). The result is a fuller sound more akin to Ayler's Impulse recordings "Greenwich Village" and "Love Cry," yet all its own. The band on the album's five songs ("Spirits Rejoice," "Holy Family," "D.C.," "Angels" and "Prophet") is brother Don on trumpet, Charles Tyler on alto (hopefully his great ESP album will be reissued too), Sunny Murray on drums, and both Henry Grimes and Gary Peacock on bass, with Cal Cobbs sitting it on "Angels." Those new to Ayler's music be ready for some of the most expressive, personal, searching avant-garde jazz ever, and it is completely distinct and original. Although this is an import, the price is much more reasonable than those Japanese Blue Notes. Since most domestic CDs cost this much anyway, there should be no hesitation with this purchase.

Essential Avant-Garde Purchase.......2000-09-11

It's wonderful that with the ESP label's demise, others are making available classic titles like Sun Ra's "Heliocentric Worlds," Ornette's "Town Hall Concert," and Ayler's "Spiritual Unity" and this title, "Spirits Rejoice." While "Spiritual Unity" explores Ayler's music in a trio setting, "Spirits Rejoice" uses additional horns, two basses and even harpsichord on one track (J.S. Bach eat your heart out!). The result is a fuller sound more akin to Ayler's Impulse recordings "Greenwich Village" and "Love Cry," yet all its own. The band on the album's five songs ("Spirits Rejoice," "Holy Family," "D.C.," "Angels" and "Prophet") is brother Don on trumpet, Charles Tyler on alto (hopefully his great ESP album will be reissued too), Sunny Murray on drums, and both Henry Grimes and Gary Peacock on bass, with Cal Cobbs sitting it on "Angels." Those new to Ayler's music be ready for some of the most expressive, personal, searching avant-garde jazz ever, and it is completely distinct and original. Although this is an import, the price is much more reasonable than those Japanese Blue Notes. Since most domestic CDs cost this much anyway, there should be no hesitation with this purchase.

Average customer rating:

A powerful recording.
A bit of a transistion, maybe
Essential Avant-Garde Purchase
Essential Avant-Garde Purchase

Spirits Rejoice
Albert Ayler
Manufacturer: Get Back Italy
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Avant-Garde | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000JNAI
Release Date: 1999-08-11

Tracks:

Spirits Rejoice
Holy Family
D. C.
Angels
Prophet

Album Description

Customer Reviews:

A powerful recording........2005-09-15

Albert Ayler's "Spirits Rejoice" represents the first real codification of the sound which he would work in for the next several years-- while "Bells", recorded three months prior began introducing this sound, "Spirits Rejoice", from September of 1965 fully embraces it. Relying on multiple horns and march-like (or gospel-like) melodies, the music is deceptively simple, serving as a launching point for improvisation. The thing that's intriguing is that for pieces that are by-and-large considered difficult, Ayler's melodies are catchy and get stuck in your head, and by and large this is the pinnacle of the direction his career has been heading.

Performing exclusively on tenor sax, Ayler is joined by two other horns-- his brother Don on trumpet and alto saxophonist Charles Tyler. Don provides an interesting foil for Albert-- whereas Cherry provided a foil in delicacy to Ayler's aggressiveness and Cherry's predecessor Norman Howard adopted Ayler's wide vibrato, Don pursues an aggressive mode that avoids emulating his brother's vibrato. Unfortunately the third horn in Charles Tyler is virtually inaudible. The remainder of the band is bassists Henry Grimes and Gary Peacock (the latter recording with Ayler for the last time) and drummer Sunny Murray. The bassists maintain a dialog with each other, providing a foundation, a countermelody, and almost a pillow to work on-- this role had previously been filled by Murray, who seems now concerned largely will accent and space and almost a direct beat statement rather than pure implication.

The pieces are by and large ecstatic-- generally avoiding the lyricism found on earlier records for excited call and response pieces ("Spirits Rejoice", which is almost a carefully constructed variant on "Bells" and the gospel-like theme "Holy Family") or aggressive explosivenes ("D.C" and "Prophet"). On the latter two, Don Ayler in particular solos powerfully and aggressively, managing to step out of the shadow of his brother, even if only briefly. The only cut that breaks this sound is titled on here "Angels" (although previously referred to as "Prophecy"). Featuring Call Cobbs on poorly recorded harpsichord (and with Don Ayler and Charles Tyler laying out), Albert digs in deep in a ballad form and expresses himself in a lyrical manner that belies the usual suspicions that he's incapable of straight playing as he stays pretty far inside on his beautiful soloing.

Edit: An important note-- vastly improved sound quality is available on the 2006 remaster of this recording from the recent-resurrected ESP-Disk record label, that's the one you want.

Ayler's music is exciting and this is really quite a good example of it, it's not quite the masterpiece some of his earlier work (free jazz summit "Vibrations") is, or quite as good or essential an example as "Live in Greenwich Village", but its really quite a good record. Recommended.

A bit of a transistion, maybe.......2000-10-27

Essential Avant-Garde Purchase.......2000-10-18

Essential Avant-Garde Purchase.......2000-09-11

It's wonderful that with the ESP label's demise, others are making available classic titles like Sun Ra's "Heliocentric Worlds," Ornette's "Town Hall Concert," and Ayler's "Spiritual Unity" and this title, "Spirits Rejoice." While "Spiritual Unity" explores Ayler's music in a trio setting, "Spirits Rejoice" uses additional horns, two basses and even harpsichord on one track (J.S. Bach eat your heart out!). The result is a fuller sound more akin to Ayler's Impulse recordings "Greenwich Village" and "Love Cry," yet all its own. The band on the album's five songs ("Spirits Rejoice," "Holy Family," "D.C.," "Angels" and "Prophet") is brother Don on trumpet, Charles Tyler on alto (hopefully his great ESP album will be reissued too), Sunny Murray on drums, and both Henry Grimes and Gary Peacock on bass, with Cal Cobbs sitting it on "Angels." Those new to Ayler's music be ready for some of the most expressive, personal, searching avant-garde jazz ever, and it is completely distinct and original. Although this is an import, the price is much more reasonable than those Japanese Blue Notes. Since most domestic CDs cost this much anyway, there should be no hesitation with this purchase.

Average customer rating:

Spirits Rejoice
The Dedication Orchestra
Manufacturer: Ogun
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

South Africa | Africa | International | Styles | Music

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000283E2
Release Date: 1992-01-01

Tracks:

Traumatic Experience - The Dedication Orchestra
Ithi Gqi - Harry Beckett, Elton Dean, The Dedication Orchestra, Louis Moholo, Paul Rogers, Keith Tippett
B My Dear - The Dedication Orchestra, Ray Warleigh
Dancing Damon - The Dedication Orchestra, Malcolm Griffiths, Trombones
Hug Pine - The Dedication Orchestra, Kenny Wheeler
Andromeda - The Dedication Orchestra, Claude Deppa, Evan Parker, Alan Skidmore, Keith Tippett
Manje - Guy Barker, The Dedication Orchestra, Alan Skidmore
Sonia - Lol Coxhill, The Dedication Orchestra, Jim Dvorak, Neil Metcalfe
Introduction to You Ain't Gonna Know Me - The Dedication Orchestra, Phil Minton, Maggie Nicols, Julie Tippetts
You Ain't Gonna Know Me 'Cause You Think You Know Me - Django Bates, The Dedication Orchestra
Woza - The Dedication Orchestra, Claude Deppa, Phil Minton, Louis Moholo

Average customer rating:

Spirits Rejoice
Albert Ayler
Manufacturer: Esp-Disk/Koch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0002B5YIU
Release Date: 2002-07-30

Average customer rating:

Spirits Rejoice
Albert Ayler
Manufacturer: Calibre/Esp-Holland (cai)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0002B98PK
Release Date: 2000-10-16

Jazz Music:

Jazz Music

Jazz Music