Ghosts (Albert Ayler album) explained

Ghosts
Type:Album
Artist:Albert Ayler Quartet
Cover:Ghosts (Albert Ayler album).jpg
Released:1965
Recorded:September 14, 1964 in Copenhagen, Denmark
Genre:Free jazz
Length:37:35
Label:Debut (Denmark) DEB 144
Freedom AL 1000
Producer:Ole Vestegaard Jensen
Chronology:Albert Ayler
Prev Title:New York Eye and Ear Control
Prev Year:1964
Next Title:The Hilversum Session
Next Year:1965

Ghosts is the second album release by American free jazz saxophonist Albert Ayler's quartet featuring Don Cherry, Gary Peacock and Sonny Murray recorded in Copenhagen in 1964 and first released on the Dutch Debut label then later released on the Freedom label as Vibrations.[1] [2]

Reception

The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 3 stars stating: "It helps greatly to have open ears to appreciate this music, although Ayler's jams would become a bit more accessible the following year. Recommended".[3] Michael Toland wrote: "Vibrations is practically a primer on sixties free jazz... Both horn blowers are in top form here, with Cherry blazing on the second version of 'Ghosts' like a man possessed and Ayler powering through the title track as in pursuit of the demons that did it. Vibrations is a fine introduction to the style for free jazz neophytes."[4] Ethan Iverson wrote that Vibrations is "well-recorded and has marvelous playing by all members of the quartet. Don Cherry's casual, unfettered melodies offset Ayler's fulminations perfectly; Gary Peacock's initial virtuosic salvo with Ayler remains one of the glories of his extensive discography."[5]

Track listing

All compositions by Albert Ayler.

  1. "Ghosts (short version)" - 2:08
  2. "Children" - 6:53
  3. "Holy Spirit" - 8:30
  4. "Ghosts (extended version)" - 7:58
  5. "Vibrations" - 5:00
  6. "Mothers" - 7:06

Personnel

Notes and References

  1. http://www.jazzdisco.org/albert-ayler/catalog/#debut-deb-144 Albert Ayler discography
  2. http://www.discogs.com/Albert-Ayler-Quartet-Featuring-Don-Cherry-Gary-Peacock-And-Sonny-Murray-Ghosts/master/458297 Discogs album entry
  3. Yanow, S., Allmusic Review accessed October 28, 2014
  4. Web site: Albert Ayler & Don Cherry - Vibrations/Cecil Taylor - Silent Tongues/Art Ensemble of Chicago - Tutankhamun (ORG Music) . Toland . Michael . May 10, 2019 . bigtakeover.com . August 16, 2020.
  5. Web site: Albert Ayler at 80 . Iverson . Ethan . July 13, 2016 . ethaniverson.com . August 16, 2020.