MARION BROWN — La Placita - Live in Willisau (review)

MARION BROWN — La Placita - Live in Willisau album cover Live album · 1977 · Avant-Garde Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
snobb
Altoist Marion Brown, renown by his collaboration with Coltrane on 1965's "Ascension", released a series of strong solo albums in the late 60s. On this obscure 1977 Dutch release, "La Placita", Brown, very unusually, plays two standards, and three free-bop low-tempo originals (plus guitarist Brandon Ross' "I'm Sorry").

Recorded live during a jazz festival of the same year in Willisau, Switzerland, this album's music is only of average sound quality and not the best edited. The entire set sounds quite melancholically and by its spirit, belongs more in the late 60s.

The opener, "La Placita"(a Brown original) is quite catchy, and recalls a lot of Eric Dolphy's music from early 60s. The rest of the compositions are predominantly hard-bop rooted ballads with soulful, but not much inspired soloing from Brown. Drummer Steve McCraven will participate on a series of similar ballad albums while recording with Archie Shepp. Brandon Ross' guitar adds some special feel to the album's music though.

By far not the best Brown release, studio or live, still it is quite listenable, especially for fans of Brown's more straight and lyrical side.
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