Solemn Meditation Explained

Solemn Meditation
Type:	Studio
Artist:	Paul Bley Quartet
Cover:	Solemn Meditation.jpg
Released:	1958
Recorded:	August 21, 1957
Studio:	Audio Arts Studio, Hollywood, California
Genre:	Jazz
Length:	33:36
Label:	GNP Crescendo GNPS 31
Producer:	Gene Norman
Chronology:	Paul Bley
Prev Title:	Paul Bley
Prev Year:	1954
Next Title:	Live at the Hilcrest Club 1958
Next Year:	1958

Solemn Meditation is the third album led by jazz pianist Paul Bley featuring tracks recorded in 1957 and released on the GNP Crescendo label.^[1]

Reception

Allmusic awarded the album 3 stars stating "This early quartet date from pianist Paul Bley is somewhat historic because it was the recording debut of both bassist Charlie Haden and vibraphonist Dave Pike... Bley explores a lot of unlikely material in an early postbop manner".^[2]

Track listing

All compositions by Paul Bley except as indicated

1. "Birk's Works" (Dizzy Gillespie) - 6:05
2. "O Plus One" (Carla Borg) - 3:15
3. "Porgy" (Jimmy McHugh) - 3:40
4. "Solemn Meditation" (Sam Gill) - 3:33
5. "I Remember Harlem" (Roy Eldridge, Bob Astor, George Williams) - 3:41
6. "Drum Two" - 3:05
7. "Everywhere" (Bill Harris) - 4:03
8. "Beau Diddley" - 5:33
9. "Persian Village" (Dave Pike) 3:16

Personnel

• Paul Bley - piano
• Dave Pike - vibraphone
  • Charlie Haden - bass Lennie McBrowne - drums

Notes and References

1. http://www.jazzdisco.org/paul-bley/catalog/#gene-norman-presents-gnp-31 Paul Bley catalog
2. Yanow, S., Allmusic Review accessed June 18, 2014