Charles Mingus - Jazz in Detroit/Strata Concert Gallery/46 Selden

The other day, I watched this film of Mingus live in 1964. I was struck by how cheerful he was, contrary to everything I'd ever read about him being a grumpy bugger. Anyway, it made me resolve to sit down and listen to this five album box set, recorded in 1973.

I bought this when it was released in 2018, and I haven't played it much, because it's not something you can just dip into, and committing to five LPs is a bit much. Still, the clocks went back last night, so I've got an extra hour on my hands.

It's a very different Mingus quintet on this album, recorded live for the local radio station, and a very different Mingus, coming out of a six year hiatus, due to poor financial, mental and physical health.

I wonder with these recordings, how they just sit there for decades without being released, and how many more are tucked away, gathering dust, or being chucked into a skip when they clear a house after the owner dies.

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