Carla Bley: Joyful Noise

     Back in March 1984, keyboardist/composer/arranger/bandleader Carla Bley took her 10-piece orchestra into NDR’s Studio 10 in Hamburg for a concert. The two CD set released as Joyful Noise marks the first time this music has been available. Bley comes on stage to enthusiastic applause and tells the audience that she asked around about “what kind of music would appeal to the people in Hamburg, and this is what is they told me.” She’s already getting laughs before anyone in the audience could know what was coming next, but Bley’s deadpan announcement no doubt has some seasoned fans with minds racing to guess what the song might be. Complete with a “ha ha fooled you” opening, it turns into a totally danceable version of La Paloma, a popular song from around 1860 (!). Aside from an elaborate arrangement of Thelonious Monk’s Misterioso, the balance of the program is stocked with original Bley compositions. Bley, who recorded mostly at the piano, plays organ and glockenspiel here, with the little-known Ted Saunders on piano. The rhythm section is completed by two masters of the art, Steve Swallow on electric bass and Victor Lewis on drums. The brass section consists of Michael Mantler on trumpet, Gary Valente on trombone, the inimitable Bob Stewart on tuba, and Vincent Chancey on French horn. The two-man reed section is Steve Slagle on alto & soprano saxes and flute, with Tony Dagradi on tenor sax and clarinet. Bley as arranger mastered the knack of making the ensemble sound bigger than it really is. Having an array of expert musicians to execute her charts certainly didn’t hurt. The band is impeccable as Bley’s compositions make the most of their talents. Since many of these musicians were in her bands over a period of years, Bley likely composed much of her work with these individuals in mind. It’s the factor that provides that extra kick of individuality to the collective endeavor. While it truly is a fool’s game to pick favorites from a Carla Bley performance, since every track has so much to say and so much to recommend it, I’ll go out on a limb and single out the slow drag The Lord is Listenin’ To Ya, Hallelujah! This gospel-oriented piece features a long and testifying solo from trombonist Valente, who returns for a big crowd-pleasing finish after a short organ interlude. From Bley’s comments, this has clearly been released in the original performance sequence. With several Bley pieces that were not recorded elsewhere, Joyful Noise is a valuable addition to the discography of one of the most consistently intriguing composers and arrangers of her era. Happily recommended. 

MIG M1230; Michael Mantler (tpt) Gary Valente (tbn) Vincent Chancey (Fr hn) Bob Stewart (tba) Steve Slagle (as, ss, fl) Tony Dagradi (ts, cl) Carla Bley (org, glockenspiel) Ted Saunders (p) Steve Swallow (electric bass) Victor Lewis (d); Hamburg, West Germany, March 14, 1984; Disc 1 (49:10): La Paloma/ Talking Hearts/ Joyful Noise/ The Lord is Listenin’ To Ya, Hallelujah!/ Light or Dark/ Misterioso. Disc 2 (67:28): Venus Fly Trap/ Nu Derection/ Ending It/ Starting Again; Ups and Downs/ Battleship/ Copyright Royalties. www.mig-music.de/en/mig-music