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Showing posts from June, 2021

Albert Ayler in Greenwich Village

 Albert Ayler's first record for Impulse was a live recording. Taped at the Village Vanguard in December 1966 and the Village Theater in February 1967 it became the last record of his most critically acclaimed musical period (albeit much of this acclaim came after his death), and before he changed direction. A wonderful record, it's really interesting to have two contemporary reviews. One is from Elisabeth van der Mei, a definite "New Thing" believer (see her separate Pharoah Sanders interview). The other from the un-believer (or not convinced) side, but shows how you could be swept away by an Ayler live concert.  Unfortunately I don't have the review sources, which come from a bound folder of Ayler interviews, magazine articles, album and live reviews I recently acquired. The Village Theater review ties in well, the Village Vanguard review looks to be several months prior, but still contemporary. Albert Ayler Village Theater, New York City Personnel: Donald Ayler