Live in San Francisco (Marilyn Crispell album) explained

Live in San Francisco
Type:live
Artist:Marilyn Crispell
Border:yes
Released:1990
Recorded:October 20, 1989
Venue:New Langton Arts, San Francisco, California
Genre:Free Jazz
Label:Music & Arts
CD-633
Producer:Maggi Payne

Live in San Francisco is a live solo piano album by Marilyn Crispell. It was recorded at New Langton Arts in San Francisco, California in October 1989, and was released in 1990 by Music & Arts.[1]

A pair of tracks labeled "samples of two other Music & Arts CDs in which Marilyn Crispell appears as a performer" follow the solo piano recordings on the disc. Anthony Braxton's "Composition 136" previously appeared on the album Duets Vancouver 1989, and was recorded on June 30, 1989, at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. "Wha's Nine?", by Reggie Workman, previously appeared on the album Images: The Reggie Workman Ensemble, and was recorded on July 8, 1989, at The Knitting Factory in New York City.

Reception

In a review for AllMusic, Scott Yanow wrote: "This is the Marilyn Crispell CD to start out with. The avant-garde pianist... explores eight selections during a dynamic live set. In addition to five originals, Crispell plays very fresh (and unpredictable) versions of 'When I Fall in Love,' Thelonious Monk's 'Ruby, My Dear,' and John Coltrane's spiritual 'Dear Lord'... Invigorating music.".

The authors of the Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings stated: "Recorded shortly after the Californian earthquake of 1989, it alternates the subdued aftershocks and beatific restorations of her own 'Tromo' and Coltrane's 'Dear Lord' with some unexpectedly light and romantic touches. 'When I Fall in Love' has a hesitant shyness that makes the theme statement all the more moving; the same applies to the humour of Monk's 'Ruby, My Dear', which underlines Crispell's impressive rhythmic awareness."

Track listing

Solo piano

  1. "Penumbra" (Crispell) – 12:02
  2. "Zipporah" (Crispell) – 5:52
  3. "When I Fall in Love" (Victor Young) – 6:41
  4. "Ruby, My Dear" (Thelonious Monk) – 6:39
  5. "Misconception" (Crispell) – 8:28
  6. "Tromos" (Crispell) – 5:43
  7. "Dear Lord" (John Coltrane) – 6:19
  8. "Encore" (Crispell) – 1:30

Personnel for tracks 1–8

Samples of two other Music & Arts CDs in which Marilyn Crispell appears as a performer

  1. "Composition 136" (Anthony Braxton) – 10:10
  2. "Wha's Nine?" (Reggie Workman) – 5:30

Personnel for tracks 9–10

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Marilyn Crispell: Live in San Francisco . Jazz Music Archives . March 5, 2022.