Shape of Jazz to Come

Amazon.com essential recording
On this highly influential 1959 album, Ornette Coleman's unique writing style and idiosyncratic solo language forever changed the jazz landscape. On classics such as "Lonely Woman," "Congeniality," and "Focus on Sanity," Coleman used the tunes' moods and melodic contours, rather than their chords, as a basis for his improvisations. In so doing, he opened up jazz soloing immensely and ushered in new freedoms--both individually and collectively. Lest these innovations sound too dry or abstract, it must be noted that both Coleman and trumpeter Don Cherry play with a deep-felt emotion and joy that is as infectious today as it was then. This is truly an essential jazz recording, marking the end of one era, providing the blueprint for the next. --Wally Shoup

Shape of Jazz to Come,Ornette Coleman,Atlantic / Wea,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop

Average customer rating: A defining moment Lonely Woman Plastic Axe Attacks Freedom! Jazz was resculpted with this chisel

The Shape of Jazz to Come Ornette Coleman Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music $7.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Jazz | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Out to Lunch Free Jazz (A Collective Improvisation) Mingus Ah Um Speak No Evil Change of the Century ASIN: B000002I4W Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Lonely Woman
2. Eventually
3. Peace
4. Focus On Sanity
5. Congeniality
6. Chronology

Amazon.com essential recording

On this highly influential 1959 album, Ornette Coleman's unique writing style and idiosyncratic solo language forever changed the jazz landscape. On classics such as "Lonely Woman," "Congeniality," and "Focus on Sanity," Coleman used the tunes' moods and melodic contours, rather than their chords, as a basis for his improvisations. In so doing, he opened up jazz soloing immensely and ushered in new freedoms--both individually and collectively. Lest these innovations sound too dry or abstract, it must be noted that both Coleman and trumpeter Don Cherry play with a deep-felt emotion and joy that is as infectious today as it was then. This is truly an essential jazz recording, marking the end of one era, providing the blueprint for the next. --Wally Shoup

Customer Reviews:

A defining moment.......2007-02-22

This album signified a defining moment in jazz music upon its release in 1959, the sound unpredictable and free to come and go as it pleases. What came to be commonly referred to as free jazz or avant-garde was viewed by some as an affront to the integrity of jazz music at large. For some critics, it was easier to dismiss Coleman as an unskilled technician rather than face the possibility that he just may be brilliant. Coleman became so influential in the scene and movement of his day that even John Coltrane was exploring freer compositions as a result.

The sound quality on this disc is superb. Coleman uses silence in a haunting way, shaping his music around its backdrop and occasionally using it as a centerpiece. This album is fresh and new every time you listen to it, the emotional effect being a soothing and calming one. Sure to become an instant favorite in anyone's collection, Ornette Coleman's "The Shape of Jazz to Come" will seldom find itself outside of your turntables.

Personnel: Ornette Coleman (alto saxophone), Don Cherry (cornet), Charlie Haden (bass) and Billy Higgins (drums).

Lonely Woman.......2006-05-20

If you're on the fence about Ornette Coleman, or think you just don't like "free jazz", or whatever, just try to put away preconceptions and listen to "Lonely Woman" with a relaxed mind and open ears. While doing so, think of Johnny Hodges, perhaps. Dawn, dusk and midnight are great times for this music. It's not "free jazz", and you might be surprised how beautiful it is.

Plastic Axe Attacks.......2006-04-18

Because it is populated by drug addicts, ne-er do wells, misogynists, slackers, and people who wear sunglasses after dark, the world of jazz is thought of as a "cool" place where anything goes. Surprisingly enough, there is stodginess, conservatism, and resistance to change in the world of jazz just as there is everywhere else. No one knows this better than Ornette Coleman.

In the late `50s, sporting a plastic alto sax and some wild new ideas, Coleman blew onto the scene and was quickly fed into the teeth of a whirring buzz saw. Jazz insiders disagreed about Ornette Coleman; some saw him as a deranged savage with no grounding in jazz traditions, others saw him as a grandstanding opportunist attempting to pass off bizarre behavior for avante garde music, and frightening the dogs in the process. Both groups agreed he should be burned at the stake. A smattering of advocates knew better than to speak up.

What's so funny is that 40 plus years later, everyone admits he's a giant of jazz and hugely influential, but nobody listens to him. (He's like PBS in this respect). Two things jump out. When he kicked the piano out of the ensemble, the chords, the musical foundation, went too. Heresy. Next, as good as Don Cherry is, Coleman put all the musical pressure on himself, his alto carries everything. This might be thought of as chutzpah or recklessness except that he really is that good.

The Shape Of Jazz To Come proves this beyond all debate. Though Coleman is considered "way out," this CD is thoroughly listenable and exquisitely beautiful. Coleman's abilities as a solo artist are absolutely stunning, in a class with giants like Coltrane, Parker, and Young. In later efforts, like the Stockholm recordings, he would venture even further off of Main Street, and at times the results are not mellifluous. It doesn't matter. Coleman is the real thing, a fearless originator, a prodigy, and a national treasure. He is like the film director Terry Gilliam in that even his failures are better than the successes of almost all his colleagues. With The Shape Of Jazz To Come, Ornette Coleman succeeds unequivocally.

Freedom!.......2006-02-26

This was a controversial album when it first came out, but you can forget all that and just buy it. This is simply an excellent jazz album, and many of the songs on it have been covered by other artists. Although free jazz can rightly sound forbidding, this album is very accessible. The melodies are very catchy, and the playing is very good. Don Cherry and Charlie Haden provide great support and soloing.

Jazz was resculpted with this chisel.......2005-11-18

1959 was probably the biggest year for jazz in history. Out of that year we were introduced to instant classics such as "Kind of Blue", "Giant Steps", "Time Out", "Mingus Ah Um" and of course, Ornette Colemans "Shape of Jazz to Come." It is not surprising Coleman's release was originally criticized by many as the red-headed step child of jazz music. Many were outraged by Coleman's tunes that lacked an explicit form or set of chord changes. However, much of what we listen to now in the contemporary world of jazz has been shaped by this important artistic album.

If one listens to many of the groups that are on the contemporary scene these days such as the Dave Holland Quintet, it is very hard to discern any type of particular form or distinct chord changes that the players are improvising over. The reason you can't tell very easily is because well, there isn't one. We have Ornette Coleman to thank for this innovative concept that has created an entirely different world of jazz for us to enjoy. Many of the contemporary groups today have extracted much from the avant garde concepts that Coleman initiated on this record.

One might be curious, how in the world can players improvise when there is no explicit form or chordal structure? The answer lies in one word: chemistry. The interplay between Charlie Haden (bass) and Billy Higgins (drums) with the soloists (Coleman on sax and Don Cherry on coronet) is amazing. The players are always conscious of what the others are doing at any given second. Because the chemistry between the players is so well-developed, the music has bite, edge and a sort of abrasiveness that rarely if ever sounds racous, out of tune or unmusical. Granted it is abstract and unconventional, but it stays away from being so vaporous that it cannot be comprehended by the untrained ear (an issue that some contemporary musicians err on too much).

The only warning that I have about this album is that it is not intended to be background music of any kind. You can turn on Kind of Blue or Time Out and occupy yourself with something else and be just fine. This is not the case with "Shape of Jazz to Come." Coleman's disc requires a much more attentive and engaged ear to really appreciate it. Many of the people who refer to this album as incoherent abstract garbage probably are not listening to the album the way it was meant to be listened to. Listen closely and you too, may truely appreciate the shape that jazz has taken.

Average customer rating: Remastered Shape

The Shape of Jazz to Come Ornette Coleman Manufacturer: Warner Jazz ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Mingus Ah Um Out to Lunch Sound Grammar Giant Steps The Real McCoy ASIN: B0009QQ6GC Release Date: 2005-07-11

Tracks:

1. Lonely Woman
2. Eventually
3. Peace
4. Focus on Sanity
5. Congeniality
6. Chronology

Album Details

Stunningly Repackaged, Remastered, and featuring New Liner Notes by Leading Jazz Writers, the Warner Jazz Masters Series Includes Best Sellers as Well as Rare, Sought-after Gems. Ornette Coleman's Debut on Atlantic, and his First Recording with his Revolutionary Quartet: Don Cherry, Charlie Haden and Billy Higgins. A Landmark Recording!

Customer Reviews:

Remastered Shape.......2006-08-08

I highly recommend shelling out a few more bucks for this remastered version--the sound is greatly improved compared to the original CD version. A classic and beautiful album. Incidentally, I noticed that this is one of only a handful of Jazz albums that appears on the Rolling Stone Top 500 albums of all time list.

Average customer rating: wonderful...... Some great early Benson

Shape of Things to Come George Benson Manufacturer: A&M ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Soul-Jazz & Boogaloo | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music Similar Items: Beyond the Blue Horizon The New Boss Guitar I Got a Woman & Some Blues White Rabbit It's Uptown ASIN: B0000062P7 Release Date: 1998-03-24

Tracks:

1. Footin' It
2. Face It Boy, Its Over
3. Shape Of Things To Come
4. Chattanooga Choo Choo
5. Don't Let Me Lose This Dream
6. Shape Of Things That Are And Were
7. Last Train To Clarksville

Customer Reviews:

wonderful.............2002-11-21

this is one of my favorates g.benson works it fills u with joy and happiness.i listened to it many times and every time i return back again....

Some great early Benson.......1999-10-16

Issued on vinyl as A&M SP 3014, CTI series, in 1968, this album demonstrates how Benson was influenced by the late Wes Montgomery but was already developing individual flair. This is the second CD reissue, the first being # 0803 in the A&M digi-pack jazz series back in 1988. Unfortunately many of the great albums in that series haven't been seen since. The title tune (from the movie "Wild in the Streets") and "Chattanooga Choo Choo" are outstanding tracks. Pick this up while you can still get it without paying import prices.

Average customer rating:

The Shape of Jazz to Come Ornette Coleman Manufacturer: Wea Japan ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Pithecanthropus Erectus Olé Coltrane My Favorite Things Giant Steps ASIN: B000IJ7IXK Release Date: 2006-12-04

Tracks:

1. Lonely Woman
2. Eventually
3. Peace
4. Focus on Sanity
5. Congeniality
6. Chronology

Album Description

Limited Edition Japanese pressing of this album comes house in a miniature LP sleeve. 2006.

Album Details

Japanese Limited Edition Issue of the Album Classic in a Deluxe, Miniaturized LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Artwork.

Average customer rating:

Shape of Things to Come (Reis) (Rstr) (Dig) George Benson Manufacturer: Verve ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music ASIN: B000TJ6CI6 Release Date: 2007-08-21

Average customer rating:

The Shape of Klez to Come Into the Freylakh Manufacturer: Klezmer ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000CA3NX4 Release Date: 2004-01-01

Average customer rating:

Shape of Groove to Come Various Artists Manufacturer: Indie ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music ASIN: B0009I8V8Q Release Date: 2005-06-13

Average customer rating:

Shape of Ragazz to Come ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music ASIN: B000FTW10S Release Date: 2004-08-24

Average customer rating:

Shape of Groove to Come Various Artists Manufacturer: Indie ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music ASIN: B0009SQ2NM Release Date: 2005-06-09

Average customer rating:

Shape of Things to Come George Benson Manufacturer: A&M ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Soul-Jazz & Boogaloo | Jazz | Styles | Music ASIN: B00000DN7H Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Footin' It
2. Face It Boy, It's Over
3. Shape of Things to Come
4. Chattanooga Choo Choo
5. Don't Let Me Lose This Dream
6. Shape of Things That Are and Were
7. Last Train to Clarksville

Pop Music:

1. Shapes
2. Someday My Prince Will Come
3. Sound Unity
4. Speaking of Now
5. Stanley Clarke
6. Steady Groovin'
7. Steal Away: Spirituals Hymns & Folk Songs
8. Still Life (Talking)
9. Super Heavy Organ [Enhanced]
10. Swingin' With Style

Pop Music