The Charles Mingus Jazz Workshop – The Clown (1957)

This is the second album in an Original Album Series box set which I bought many years ago, and have only just got round to listening, I'll admit that I felt I'd be just going through the motions with some 2 or 3 star generic jazz, which didn't really have much impact, but I was very wrong indeed. It's really rather good, and I doubt if my words can do it justice.

Haitian Fight Song starts with a bass solo (as is allowed when the band leader is a bassist), but it isn't really a soloing instrument, but gets lively as the trombone kicks in for a long, exciting jazz piece, followed by some cool piano and sax, before an overlong second bass solo leading to a swinging conclusion. Blue Cee is a gentler, smooth jazz piece, driven by that Mingus bass, just lovely. Reincarnation Of A Lovebird is a little more upbeat, manic and challenging, but still a good listen, but my favourite is title track, The Clown, a sad story narrated by radio satirist Jean Shepherd, with the band producing the most fantastic backing, based around a fairground theme.

This is a great jazz album, and I'd recommend it, even if you think you don't like jazz

Link to full album

4* - A fantastic slice of innovative 1950s jazz