Bells (album)
Bells is a live album by American free jazz saxophonist Albert Ayler recorded at The Town Hall in New York City in 1965 and first released as a single sided LP on the ESP-Disk label.[1][2] The album was released in many variations including clear and coloured vinyl and with a variety of colored covers and most recently on CD combined with Prophecy.[3][4]
Bells | ||||
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Live album by | ||||
Released | 1965 | |||
Recorded | May 1, 1965 at The Town Hall, NYC | |||
Genre | Free jazz | |||
Length | 20:03 | |||
Label | ESP-Disk 1010 | |||
Producer | Richard L. Alderson | |||
Albert Ayler chronology | ||||
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Reception
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide |
The Allmusic review by Michael G. Nastos states: "As Albert Ayler recorded several definitive recordings before or after this one, and due to the very short length of Bells, it cannot be considered a magnum opus. But it does contain music played by his most powerful unit, a small window into the mind and heart of the most iconic maverick in the free jazz movement, and a magnet for discussion that lingers on well past his death".[5]
All About Jazz commented: "Part of the lasting brilliance of Bells is that the group is much more roughshod at this early stage, the ensemble not yet formed into a cohesive, balanced whole but a rickety patchwork, its seams (and therefore process) showing proudly through".[7]
Track listing
All compositions by Albert Ayler
- "Bells" - 20:03
Personnel
- Albert Ayler - tenor saxophone
- Donald Ayler - trumpet
- Charles Tyler - alto saxophone
- Lewis Worrell - bass
- Sonny Murray - drums
References
- Albert Ayler discography accessed October 29, 2014
- Albert Ayler sessionography, accessed October 29, 2014
- ESP-Disk catalog, accessed October 29, 2014
- Ayler.com album entry, accessed October 29, 2014
- Nastos, M. G., Allmusic Review accessed October 28, 2014
- Swenson, J., ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. p. 15. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.
- Allen, C., Albert Ayler: Prophecy/Bells Review, July 14, 2005