Label: Laser Vision – MJ122-15FL
Format: Laserdisc, 12″, Single Sided, Stereo, NTSC, CLV
Country: Japan
Released: 1983Genre:Jazz
Another in the laserdisc series, again not produced by Creed Taylor, but featuring artists that earned their “chops” performing, writing, and recording with Creed, so of particular interest.
Interestingly, when I was offered this laserdisc, I was unaware it existed. It wasn’t listed on discogs until I added it this week. I went looking on ebay and there is another, listed for sale, but with different artwork and pictures, I assume that’s a USA release, mine is the Japanese release.
The Musicians at the Village
This laserdisc features Freddie Hubbard, Ron Carter and Lenny White, three of the four musicians that recorded the seminal “Red Clay” CTI album 12-years earlier. In this live performance, Cedar Walton sits in for Herbie Hancock, and it’s a straight quartet, missing any additional sax’ or guitar players.
Recorded live on June 24th, 1982, at the Village Vanguard in New York City’s Wet Village, just blocks across from Greenwich Village and Washington Square park, it’s an intimate look at a great show. It is though, more than that. In between the 4-track set on the film, there are brief interviews. The interview features Max Gordon, who was the founder and owner of the club. Later that year Gordon’s autobiography was published, giving his perspective on his nearly 50-years at the legendary club.
The intro is an interview segment with Max. Max also speaks over the end credits. Tracks 1, 2, and 3 are followed by spoken word interviews between Max and after track-1, Lenny White; Track-2, Ron Carter; and Track-3, Cedar Walton.
Track Listing
1 Happy Times – 11:54
2 Guernica – 15:45
3 Little Waltz – 9:59
4 Fantasy In D – 8:54
More Info
Freddie Hubbard Live, Laserdisc details [via Discogs]
Other ctproduced posts about Freddie Hubbard
Max Gordon’s Autobiography [via Worldcat, get a library copy]
Village Vanguard – The Early Years [youtube video]
Other ctproduced film/video entries.