Review of Mingus Big Band: Tonight At Noon
Scotsman, 2002-05-13
- Kenny Mathieson, Kenneth Walton, Michael Church

 

Record Review: When Elvis met Mingus

Kenny Mathieson, Kenneth Walton, Michael Church

JAZZ

Mingus Big Band: Tonight At Noon
Dreyfus Jazz, £13.99 *****

THIS excellent disc is devoted mainly to Mingus’s less familiar ballads, featuring both the magnificent Mingus Big Band and the Charles Mingus Orchestra, an 11-piece off-shoot making its debut on record. The smaller group features French horn, bassoon and bass clarinet, and has a very distinct feel. Elvis Costello provides both lyric and vocal on Invisible Lady, performed by the Orchestra. Other major highlights include a sizzling Tonight At Noon and a version of Black Saint & Sinner Lady, but it’s really all highlights. Mingus never had a regular band this good in his lifetime, but they are doing him proud now.

©2002 scotsman.com