Charles Mingus - Oh Yeah

The more I listen to Mingus albums the more I notice the formula to the jazz workshop format documented in these releases. In essence, these are live albums without an audience and the more I listen to these the better I understand how jazz shows are constructed. The album feels a little less traditional than Blues and Roots or Mingus-Ah-Um, although the intensity is closer to Blues than Ah-Um. There’s a certain abstract quality in the playing from time to time which feels closer to the sorts of things Coltrane would play in a few years time.

Hog Callin’ Blues is a traditional Mingus opening track. Mingus consistently delivers the most fun opening tracks of any jazz artist. On this album the piano really sticks out more than it has in the past as Mingus has moved from bass to piano on this recording.