Jazz Archives

A fascinating reissue that comfortably straddles the lines of jazz, folk, and world music, working up a storm by way of a jazz protest album that points toward the Spanish Civil War in particular and the Vietnam War in passing. Haden leads the charge and contributes material, but the real star here may in fact be Carla Bley, who arranged numbers, wrote several, and contributed typically brilliant piano work. Also of particular note in a particularly talented crew is guitarist Sam Brown, the standout of "El Quinto Regimiento/Los Cuatro Generales/Viva la Quince Brigada," a 21-minute marathon. Reissue producer Michael Cuscuna has done his best with the mastering here, but listeners will note a roughness to the sound -- one that is in keeping with the album's tone and attitude.

:::Review by Steven McDonald:::

Charlie Haden - Liberation Music Orchestra (1969)

1 . The Introduction 1:15
2. Song Of The United Front 1:52
3a. El Quinto Regimento (The Fifth Regiment) 20:58
3b. Los Cuatro Generales (The Four Generals)
3c. Viva La Quince Brigada (Long Live The Fifteenth Brigade)
4. The Ending To The First Side 2:07
5. Song For Chè 9:29
6. War Orphans 6:42
7. The Interlude (Drinking Music) 1:24
8. Circus '68 '69 6:10
9. We Shall Overcome 1:19

Credits
Bass, Producer - Charlie Haden
Clarinet - Perry Robinson
Cornet, Flute [Indian Wood Flute, Bamboo Flute] - Don Cherry (tracks: 3, 5)
French Horn, Percussion [Hand Wood Blocks, Bells], Performer [Crow Call], Whistle [Military Whistle] - Bob Northern
Guitar, Percussion [Thumb Piano] - Sam Brown (tracks: 1, 3 to 7)
Percussion - Andrew Cyrille (tracks: 8) , Paul Motian
Percussion [Tambourine], Arranged By - Carla Bley
Saxophone [Tenor], Clarinet - Gato Barbieri
Saxophone [Tenor], Saxophone [Alto] - Dewey Redman
Trombone - Roswell Rudd
Trumpet - Michael Mantler
Tuba - Howard Johnson