Sun Ra - Solo Piano Recital Teatro La Fenice (CD)

Although Sun Ra (piano) is among the most documented artists of the free jazz movement, he rarely performed or recorded sans his omnipresent and perpetually changing Arkestra. As such, both earnest enthusiasts and the curious alike are encouraged to locate Solo Piano Recital: Teatro la Fenice Venizia (2003), from the venerable Teatro La Fenice opera house in Venice, Italy. This hour-long set is full of Ra's spontaneous and profoundly intricate -- if not practically arithmetical -- arrangements of originals as well as jazz and traditional pop standards. The somewhat unimaginatively-titled "Free Improvisation" and "Blues" selections provide apt examples of Ra's dense melodic sensibilities. He unleashes mesmerizing and tuneful torrents, contrasted by some equally bombastic interjections. "Blues" is particularly buoyant as the stride basslines bring to mind Willie "The Lion" Smith or Fats Waller. After an opulent introduction, "Love in Outer Space" rollicks as the pianist subtly escapes the repetitive backdrop with a few off-kilter diversions. Listeners familiar with the various ensemble readings of "Outer Spaceways Incorporated" may be surprised to hear the multi-strata score that surfaces once the layers of instrumentation have been shed. Duke Ellington's "Take the "A" Train" and W.C. Handy's "St. Louis Blues" infuse a suitably refined grace inside the otherwise wholly unique and masterful renditions. Rather than simply playing the songs in a linear fashion, Ra has taken the elements and reformed them on a musically molecular level. Concluding the concert is a medley of "Friendly Galaxy" and "Spontaneous Simplicity," again reiterating the structural beauty behind Ra's clearly passionate and impulsive re-creation. Again, Solo Piano Recital: Teatro la Fenice Venizia is a highly recommended spin for all interested parties. ~ Lindsay Planer