Mingus Plays Piano

1. Myself When I Am Real
2. I Can't Get Started
3. Body And Soul
4. Roland Kirk's Message
5. Memories Of You
6. She's Just Miss Popular Hybrid
7. Orange Was The Color Of Her Dress, Then Silk Blue
8. Meditations For Moses
9. Old Portrait
10. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
11. Compositional Theme Story: Medleys, Anthems And Folklore

This album is unique in Mingus' enormous catalogue. As the title indicates, the famous bassist takes to the ivories-solo-to give life to his dazzling improvisational art. At first it seems odd to hear Mingus without one of his trademark interactive and exploratory ensembles. But the sensibility that he brings to this collection of piano pieces bears all the signs of the composer's genius.
In the first piece, "Myself When I Am Real," turbulence and aching beauty merge in Mingus' spontaneous unfolding of phrases. Such standards as "Body And Soul" and "Memories Of You" are given personal, harmonically intriguing readings that blend in seamlessly with a Mingus original like "Old Portrait." In many ways, it is a treat to hear the artist working in this pared down, quieter atmosphere, as it allows one to concentrate more intently upon the range and compositional brilliance of this incomparable figure.

...most of the time his playing's pensive and harmonically intriguing....while his main instrument was bass, many pianists would be happy to play as creatively as he does here. Jazz Times (09/01/1997)

Price: $18.98