[1] Mayor Koch (G.Coleman) - 3:28
[2] New York Suite
A. I Love New York / Manhattan (S.Karmen/Rogers/Hart) - 5:27
B. How about you / Harlem Nocturne / Autumn in New York (B.Lane/R.Freed/E.Hagen/V.Duke) - 8:08
C. New York, New York (J.Kander/F.Ebb) - 5:31
[3] Subway Ride (G.Coleman) - 6:09
[4] El Barrio (G.Coleman) - 6:00
[5] New York Housing Blues (G.Coleman) - 9:36
[6] Ray of Light (L.Morehead) - 15:04
1992 CD Evidence ECD-22019
1992 CD Theresa THE 120
1992 CD Evidence ECD 22019-2
Recorded live at the Village Vanguard, New York except "Mayor Koch,"
which was recorded at Skyline Studios, New York. Includes liner notes
by Stanley Crouch. All songs written by George Coleman except "New York
Suite" (Steve Karmen/Rogers/Hart/Burton Lane/Ralph Freed/E.
Hagen/Vernon Duke/John Kander/Fred Ebb) and "Ray Of Light" (Consuela
Lee Morehead).
Da hat ein lange Zeit zu wenig beachteter Saxophonist wie George
Coleman endlich wieder ein gut eingespieltes Quartett zusammen, kriegt
einen Auf- tritt im legendären "Village Vanguard" und nutzt die
Gelegenheit zu einer ebenso furiosen wie ironischen
Liebeserklärung an seine Wahlheimat, die Stadt aller Städte:
New York. Eine Sternstunde - und was passiert? Der Tonmeister erwischt
einen schlechten Tag, die Aufnahme dröhnt erbärmlich, die
Ohren der Zuhörer desgleichen. Mußte das sein?
Why George Coleman is not immediately mentioned when the discussion
turns to great tenor sax veterans baffles me, because there are not
many better mainstream/blues stylists. Other than a good-natured but
ultimately empty vocal, Coleman was routinely brilliant on every number
during this live Village Vanguard set originally issued on Theresa
vinyl. Pianist Harold Mabern's bluesy, vibrant phrases and bassist Jami
Nasser's supple licks and accompaniment are ably punctuated by Idris
Muhammad's capable drumming. There is a no-nonsense (the opener aside),
no-frills attitude exemplifed by the quartet.
