🎵 AotW AOTW: Sun Ra - Blue Delight (CD-5260)

[Captain Bacardi]

AOTW: Sun Ra
BLUE DELIGHT
A&M CD-5260

Released 1989

Format: CD/Vinyl/Cassette

Produced by John Snyder
Executive Producer: Steve Ralbovsky

Songs:

• 1. Blue Delight (Sun Ra) 11:10
  2. Out Of Nowhere (Johnny Green/Edward Heyman) 5:26
  3. Sunrise (Sun Ra) 11:48
  4. They Dwell On Other Planes (Sun Ra) 14:41
  5. Gone With The Wind(Herbert Magidson/Allie Wrubel) 5:51
  6. Your Guest Is As Good As Mine (Sun Ra) 5:53
  7. Nashira (Julian Priester) 4:09
  8. Days Of Wine And Roses (Henry Mancini) 6:58

Musicians:

• Sun Ra (Le Sony'r Ra) - Piano, Synthesizer
  James Jackson - Bassoon, Flute Percussion
  Elo Omoe - Bass Clarinet, Alto Sax, Contra-Alto Clarinet, Percussion
  John Gilmore - Tenor Sax, Clarinet, Percussion
  Marshall Allen - Alto Sax, Flute, Oboe, A-Flat Clarinet
  Noel Scott - Alto Sax, Percussion
  Danny Ray Thompson - Baritone Sax, Flute, Bongos
  Fred Adams - Trumpet
  Tommy Turrentine - Trumpet
  Akmed Abdullah - Trumpet
  Al Evans - Flugelhorn, French Horn
  Tyrone Hill - Trombone
  Julian Priester - Trombone
  Bruce Edwards - Guitar
  Carl LeBlanc - Guitar (Solos)
  Billy Higgins - Drums (on right)
  Earl "Buster" Smith - Drums (on left)
  John Ore - Bass
  Elson Nascimento - Percussion

Recorded (Multi-Track Analog) on December 5, 1988 at Variety Recording Studios, New York City.
Engineered by David Lescoe, assisted by Joe Cyr, Alejandro Colinas and Carlos Cervantes.
Mixed (Two-Track Digital) on December 15, 1988 at Variety Recording Studios, NYC.
Engineered by David Lescoe.
Digitally Mastered on January 23, 1989 at RCA Recording Studios, New York City.
Engineered by Joe Lopes.

Art Direction: Chuck Beeson with Ph.D
Desing: Ph.D
Photography: Carol Friedman (cover) and Judy Sneed.

Liner notes by Jim Macnie
Poetry by Sun Ra


Capt. Bacardi

 

[LPJim]

This one leans more toward traditional jazz and less toward the otherworldly experimentation of most of Ra's other work -- including the follow-up PURPLE NIGHT (A&M CD 5324).

I particularly enjoy the uptempo treatment on "Days of Wine & Roses."
Although Ra left the planet 12 years ago the Arkestra continues to perform under the leadership of Marshall Allen (sax). I took in a small club show by them a couple of years back.
JB

Visit the Arkestra's website and click on the Sun Ra biography link, the text of which is from an A&M Records press kit:

www.elrarecords.com

 

[Captain Bacardi]

This is quite some album, especially if you've heard some of Sun Ra's past "cosmic" albums. I was never a big fan of Sun Ra's and picked up this CD just because it was on A&M. I'm glad I did get it. It is far more straight-ahead than I anticipated, although Ra does get out there a bit on tunes as "They Dwell On Other Planes". The title track has a bit of a "Route 66" feel to it. Trombonist Julian Priester gets some major blowing time on both "Gone With The Wind" and "Your Guest Is As Good As Mine". It's interesting that there are two drummers playing simultaneously, but it works quite well. This is a very solid album Four stars from me.


Capt. Bacardi