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Last Call Review: Archie Shepp Attica Blues Orchestra/ I Hear the Sound / Archieball Records

A remarkable orchestral jazz work recorded in France in the last two years, I Hear The Sound is a live performance of material from saxophonist Archie Shepp, "Attica Blues". The big band effort brings to a new generation of listeners material first presented in 1972 on Impulse.

"Attica Blues" was written by Archie Shepp in response to a prison riot that took place in September, 1971 at Attica State Correctional Facility in New York. A large group of prisoners took control of part of the prison, where they held hostages, for five days. The prison was retaken by force on September 13, with the loss of twenty-nine prisoners and ten hostages.

Shepp's impeccable artistry, on tenor and soprano saxophone and vocals, is aided by very fine artists such as Amina Claudine Myers (piano, vocals) Famoudou Don Moye(drummer and percussionist),  Reggie Washington(bass) and vocalists Marion Rampal and Cecile McLorin Salvant, in addition to French horn and string sections. Jimmy Owens, who first worked with Shepp in the 1960s as a trumpeter, conducts the ensemble.

Besides the material from the original "Attica Blues" recording the live presentation includes "Mama Too Tight", from an 1967 Shepp release of the same name, as well a respectful and deeply felt rendition of Duke Ellington's "Come Sunday".   

I Hear The Sound is worth hearing.

Chris Cooke has been a voice on public radio in Omaha since 1989. Working at KVNO-FM during college, Cooke hosted a weekend progressive jazz show on the station in addition to working as an on-air announcer. In November 1992, Cooke signed on at KIOS-FM and has been there ever since. He has hosted the Tuesday and Thursday editions of Jazz in the Afternoon since 1996 and has hosted Last Call since that year. A long time fan of jazz music, Cooke enjoys talking with the musicians who make jazz music and presenting those conversations with listeners. When not hosting or listening to jazz, on record or in person, Cooke maintains a busy schedule as a self-employed web design consultant.
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