ARCHIE SHEPP — On This Night (review)

ARCHIE SHEPP — On This Night album cover Album · 1965 · Avant-Garde Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
snobb
Archie Shepp's fourth studio album (and third on Impulse!) is a mixed bag. It contains outtakes from the 1965 spring-summer recording sessions and stylistically illustrates Shepp's transition from hard bop to avant-garde jazz. Some songs are great, (Shepp's version of "In A Sentimental Mood"), others sound quite strange (the title piece with classical soprano vocalist Christine Spencer), the entire collection is really eclectic and quite bulky. Fortunately Archie is in great form throughout, which helps give a positive impression of the album in whole.

Another and even bigger problem is the CD reissue. Not only is the track order absolutely different, but most of the added bonuses (placed here and there between original songs) only bring an additional chaotic feeling, making the album even more extremely eclectic. On top of that - the CD re-release (containing 5 bonus tracks) excludes one song from the original vinyl album - the ten minute long composition "Gingerbread, Gingerbread Boy"! The formal reason for such a strange decision is this song originally comes from a live recording in Newport, so it was separated from the rest of the material which was completed in full studio sessions from March and August 1965. Even if such concept could have made some sense, the result is really sad - the original studio album is destroyed and instead you get something that could be better called "Complete 1965 Studio Session, etc". It's a pity - so if possible, it might be better to go for the original vinyl.

Even if this is not Shepp's best work, this album contains some nice songs, some great soloing and nice work from vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson on some songs too.
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