Lyrad's Random 10

The style of free jazz that John Coltrane popularized in the mid-60s started a string of artists whose improvisations became progressively more frenzied and spaced-out. Pharoah Sanders is the most popular outside of Coltrane, but Albert Ayler was one of the best and one of the most forgotten, especially given his extreme saxophone prowess. Challenging and often brutal to listen to, given time his music takes on a spiritual and meditative tone, even if it's sometimes hard to understand. The song below is from the masterful concert series that Impulse released as "The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings," and is one of the finest jazz albums that I own. Ayler is a time commitment but one that can prove very rewarding. Unforunately, Aylers life was cut far too short by his suicide at the age of 34 after jumping off the Statue of Liberty ferry. His body was found three weeks later. Ayler's star burned short but burned very bright.

1. Albert Ayler--Spirits Rejoice
2. Max Reger--Sonata in B-flat for Viola & Piano; 2.Vivace. Allegro (Josef Klussen, Va; Sachiko Kayahara, Pn)
3. Jim & Jesse w/Carl Story--Cripple Creek
4. Nigogos--Hicaz Sarki
5. Tom Waits--Whistle Down the Wind
6. Morton Feldman--Crippled Symmetry for Flute, Bass Flute, Piano, Celesta, Glockenspiel & Vibraphone; Region 1 (California EAR Unit)
7. Red Norvo--Hallelujah
8. Magic Slim and the Teardrops--I Got Money
9. Guns 'n Roses--Night Train
10. Digital Underground--The Way We Swing