Ayler, Albert / Slugs' Saloon, May 1, 1966
Album: Slugs' Saloon, May 1, 1966   Collection:Jazz
Artist:Ayler, Albert   Added:Feb 2006
Label:Esp  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2006-04-16 Pull Date: 2006-06-18 Charts: Jazz
Week Ending: Jun 11 Jun 4 May 21 May 7 Apr 23
Airplays: 1 1 1 1 2

Recent Airplay
1. Jun 09, 2006: Memory Select
Truth Is Marching In
4. May 05, 2006: Memory Select
Ghosts
2. May 30, 2006: Umami Jazz Program
Truth Is Marching In
5. Apr 21, 2006: Memory Select
Ghosts
3. May 18, 2006: Baptism of Solitude
Ghosts
6. Apr 18, 2006: Umami Jazz Program
Truth Is Marching In

Album Review
Craig Matsumoto
Reviewed 2006-04-14
Reissue; a live session from 1966, with middling sound fidelity. Quintet that includes a violin (often drowned out), trumpet, and of course Ayler on sax. Ayler was a free jazz pioneer whose songs start with brash marching-band themes before getting into crazy energy-based solos. The rough, raw sound here adds to the freedom/ecstasy of the session; solos bustle with urgency. Nice.

Track titles are a bit suspicious. The names are recognizable Ayler favorites, but "Bells" and "Ghosts" here sound like reprises of "Truth Is Marching In." Whatever; think of it more like a general jam session. Mid/fast throughout.

DISK ONE
1- Marching intro into swirly craziness with distinct solos. Applause is CUT OFF at the end -- beware
2- Gets into a few vicious free blowouts.
3- Feels more organized than 1 or 2; gets into a free frenzy about 10 minutes in, then some quieter stretches. Amusing to hear one guy yelling "Yeah!" from the crowd.

DISK TWO
4- Quick fade-in, into an immediate tumult before getting into new themes. Includes a vicious trumpet solo and a number of frenzied bursts.
5- Opens quietly, with a violin solo. After 4 minutes, just explodes. Last 9 minutes or so are calm, even elegant.

Track Listing
1. Truth Is Marching In   3. Bells
2. Our Prayer   4. Ghosts
  5. Initiation