We Free Kings

Artist: Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Label: Polygram Records
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 042282645524
EAN: 0042282645524
ASIN: B0000046XT

Release Date: 1990-10-25

Related Categories:

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| Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Listmania:

The Greatest LPs Of All Time (part 7 of 13)
My favourite Jazz albums in no particular order
Essentials for the Art School-going Musician
Beyond Critic's Jazz Top Ten
Albums from artists Ken Burns didn't have time for
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Must Have Jazz Albums
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Tracks:

Three For The Festival
Moon Song
A Sack Full Of Soul
The Haunted Melody
Blues For Alice (Alt. Take)
Blues For Alice (Master Take)
We Free Kings
You Did It, You Did It
Some Kind Of Love
My Delight

Similar Items:

Rip, Rig & Panic/Now Please Don't You Cry, Beautiful Edith
Domino
I Talk With the Spirits
Brotherman in the Fatherland
Kirk's Work

Customer Reviews:

another great one from Rahsaan.......2006-06-25

this CD is one of Rahsaan's earlier recordings, from the early-mid 60's, before he added "Rahsaan" to his name. I had the benefit of hearing Rahsaan before I ever knew about him playing multiple instruments simultaneously, so I was only introduced to his music by the quality of his playing and melody, which is always superb. Later on, when I found out about him and the things he did that no-one else could do (playing multiple instruments, his method of circular breathing to sustain a note, etc), it only added to my amazement of how talented this man was. Fortunately, I had the opportunity of seeing him perform live a couple of times before he died, and I can honestly say there will never be anyone quite like him again. this CD showcases his talent and you will not be disappointed

What was he doing??.......2005-04-09

Roland Kirk was a genius - that's the only title appropriate for him. On this and most everything he did he casts a spell so dense that you will get completely sucked in and never be able to get out. Or ever want to.

Emphasis on music.......2000-11-07

It is certainly true that Roland Kirk (later to become Rahsaan Roland Kirk, of course) was unfairly dismissed for the showmanship that included simultaneously playing multiple horns, producing odd and disconcerting sounds on nose flute, and employing strange instruments (black mystery pipes, for example). The showmanship overshadowed the undeniable musicianship and love of music he possessed. Still, Kirk sometimes contributed to the criticism with albums that included much commentary by him and less than stellar selection of material.

On this early effort (1961), Kirk turns in one of his best musical performances on record. (He was always best absorbed in person.) From the opening notes of "Three for the Festival," which became a mainstay in his repertoire, he is in firm, swinging, soulful control. As usual, we have the wonderful illusion of at least three Kirks swinging away, as on the bright "A Sack Full of Soul." We have the breathy, funky flute he mastered, in "You Did it, You Did It." And on the aptly named "The Haunted Melody." we have the surprisingly poigant lyricism of which he was often capable.

What we also have, though, is a top-notch group behind him, a situation in which he did not always find himself on his later Atlantic albums. Richard Wyands, an underrated talent who seemed to vanish after the '60s, is alert and responsive on piano, and of course there's no drop-off when the always-in-touch Hank Jones takes over; the great Art Davis contributes his always sensitive accompaniment on bass; and Charlie Persip hangs with every angular change Kirk offers, as on the great version of Charlie Parker's "Blues for Alice." Persip's snare work, in particular, shines throughout.

"We Free Kings" ranks with the great "Rip, Rig, and Panic," among Kirk's Verve releases (originally released on Mercury). Despite what the title cut might suggest, this is not an exercise in free jazz; rather, it is tightly and deeply in the pocket. It is a first-rate release that allows the true talent of this great musician shine through.

One of the top two Roland Kirk albums.......2000-07-09

As the other reviewers have pointed out, this is a great album. If you like this one, also check out his other great album, Domino (currently only available in an import version but well worth the extra money). It's the closest in terms of both quality and style.

Superb!.......2000-06-15

It is sometimes forgotten that Roland Kirk was a jazz musician in the first place and not an entertainer who'd amuse the masses with playing, say, three saxophones at the same time. This album is a good reminder of what a fanatastic musician Roland Kirk really was. I personally think it is *MUCH* better than any of the stuff he released in the Seventies. But maybe I am a little bit too conservative - who knows? The album is a classic jazz album which features plenty of good compositions by Roland Kirk ("Three For The Festival" is amongst them) plus a cover of a song by Charlie Parker. He uses the different types of saxophones for different songs, and it is very nice to hear the differences between their sounds. Any fan of jazz from the early Sixties will love this album.

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