Albert Ayler – Live on the Riviera

One of Ayler’s final live appearences (his body was found the following November) finds him in a quartet featuring his wife/collaborator Mary Parks. Ayler is at a creative zenith here, he’s playing with more dynamic and thematic range while his intensely spiritual style remains undiminished. With that said, Parks is often at the fore reciting poetry or singing in a very dated 60s style. Her voice is actually pretty good, but sadly not always that musical, and on the whole it takes some getting used to. Start with the instrumentals!

*1. Amazing wild gospel sax separated by rather banal spoken word
**2. Folky Ayler melody leads to sax / vocals improv duel
**3. Fast high energy instrumental
*4. Good solos featuring Ayler’s favorite “La Marseillaise” quote. Vocals start around (-3:50), you might want to fade out around there.
*5. Caribbean melody with vocals deconstructed Ayler-style, an interesting glimpse of what might have happened had he stuck around
6. Strange pop/free jazz hybrid
**7. Awesome soulful rendition of his classic spiritual.

Ben B 4/19/05