Album: Sound of Joy

Song Title

Time

El Is a Sound of Joy

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Overtones of China

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Two Tones

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Paradise

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Planet Earth

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Ankh

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Saturn

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Reflections in Blue

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El Viktor

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Album: Sound of Joy

Song Title

Time

El Is a Sound of Joy

More Info...

Overtones of China

More Info...

Two Tones

More Info...

Paradise

More Info...

Planet Earth

More Info...

Ankh

More Info...

Saturn

More Info...

Reflections in Blue

More Info...

El Viktor

More Info...

Performer Notes

Sun Ra & His Arkestra: Sun Ra (piano, electric piano); Clyde Williams (vocals); Pat Patrick (alto & baritone saxophones); John Gilmore (tenor saxophone); Charles Davis (baritone saxophone); Art Horle, Dave Young (trumpet); Julian Priester (trombone); Victor Sproles (bass); Jim Herndon (tympani, timbale).
Recorded in November 1957 for Transition Records. Originally released on Delmark (114) in 1968.
Personnel: Clyde Williams (vocals); Pat Patrick (alto saxophone, baritone saxophone); John Gilmore (tenor saxophone); Charles Davis (baritone saxophone); Dave Young, Arthur Hoyle (trumpet); Julian Priester (trombone); Sun Ra (piano, electric piano); Victor Sproles (bass guitar); William Cochran (drums); Jim Herndon (timbales).
The late pianist/bandleader/composer Sun Ra was known for his theatrical performances and for applying concepts of free jazz to a big band/orchestral context. SOUND OF JOY was recorded in 1957, during the Ra's Chicago sojourn, and is closer to the modern swinging sounds of Duke Ellington than to free jazz. Ellington was clearly an influence on Ra, and Ra combines this with the more progressive aspects of hard bop. SOUND OF JOY is ideal for Ra neophytes and Ra fans that want to hear his beginnings.

Professional Reviews

Rolling Stone (6/29/93, p.44) - "...Orderly yet enthusiastically performerd, JOY reveals Ra's swinging influences--Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson and Tadd Dameron....There are traces of the exotica and avant excursions that the Arkestra would later patent....alongside lots of well-crafted big-band arrangements and fine hard-bop solos..."

Down Beat (10/95, p.63) - 4.5 Stars - Very Good/Excellent - "...In 1957, Ra occupied a low orbit around the planet, not completely free of the gravitational pull of conventional jazz. SOUND OF JOY...isn't revolutionary so much as subversive..."