Thank you for this terrific video Michael. I have been a huge Ra fan for years. I have tons of his CDs and LPs (reissues). A good place to start for some, may be the defunct Evidence Label out of Conshohocken PA. They were the first to issue him on CD and released a number of 2fers. The Space is the Place is a phenomenal book. One evening quite a few years ago I was at an avant garde jazz concert in Philadelphia and the person next to me pointed out that the author, John Szwed was sitting across the room from us. And one last bit, I had the privilege of attending the recent Sun Ra show celebrating Marshall Allen’s 100 birthday. He leads the orchestra and is unbelievable. ☮️, David
Hi David! I do have a bunch of those Evidence CDs. Great liner notes in those, too. That's awesome that you got to help Marshall Allen celebrate his 100th. Thanks for watching!
I knew zippy about Sun Ra, until I joined this excellent community of music listeners, now between you, Dave (localbandography), Dereck I am expanding my knowledge....thank you Michael for this very interesting video....as I say to many here......learning is cool 😎 cheers Michael 👋🏻✊🏻🎶
Michael, wonderful descriptions of the Sun Ra albums and thank you for explaining the ''sample and hold'' concept. Neil Young wrote a song titled, ''Sample And Hold'', which was first released on the ''Trans'' album and then on the ''Lucky Thirteen'' compilation. The ''Lucky Thirteen version is 3 minutes longer. My friend, Jack, was Sun Ra's manager in the 1980's until he died. I think he still works with The Arkestra, may be just in charge of booking tour dates. I had an inside connection to the world of Sun Ra, I could write a book! I was able to buy Saturn records directly from John Gilmore. I had many hours of conversation with Sun Ra, I also tugged on his purple under-beard. I danced with Sun Ra onstage, the stars were aligned perfectly that day!
It's certainly a great time to be a Sun Ra fan. There's been some great live albums out too of late. My favourites among these would be 'Roma 1980', a 3 LP box set, really high quality release, and also 'live at the Paradiso 1970', another really high quality release from Ra's peak live period. I think this one is my new favourite love Ra album!
I had no idea that those older albums were recently reissued. Out of the three titles Excelsior Hill, Prophet and Thunder of the Gods. Which one would you say is the most cohesive? Thanks Mike. This was a special update for casual and longtime Sun Ra fans~ Rob/Boston
That's hard to say because they are all uncharacteristic in various ways. Excelsior Hill is the most consistent in sound, but side one of Thunder of the Gods is the most typically Sun Ra sounding one...then into something completely different for side two.
GREAT Video!! I've always been a fan of SUN RA and I consider him a great artist. Thank for the book recommendations. I will pick those up soon. I saw those alsbums you showed over th weekend at my record store and almost picked them in a trade. Thanks for sharing.
Sun Ra is an artist I really should get mire by - only have 5 of his albums (including 3 of the the ones behind you - the two from BYG and Magic City. Unfortunately there's just so much of it and I never see any at the record fairs. Enjoyed seeing and hearing the ones you showed. Cheers...Pete
Thank you for this terrific video Michael. I have been a huge Ra fan for years. I have tons of his CDs and LPs (reissues). A good place to start for some, may be the defunct Evidence Label out of Conshohocken PA. They were the first to issue him on CD and released a number of 2fers.
The Space is the Place is a phenomenal book. One evening quite a few years ago I was at an avant garde jazz concert in Philadelphia and the person next to me pointed out that the author, John Szwed was sitting across the room from us. And one last bit, I had the privilege of attending the recent Sun Ra show celebrating Marshall Allen’s 100 birthday. He leads the orchestra and is unbelievable.
☮️, David
Hi David! I do have a bunch of those Evidence CDs. Great liner notes in those, too. That's awesome that you got to help Marshall Allen celebrate his 100th. Thanks for watching!
I knew zippy about Sun Ra, until I joined this excellent community of music listeners, now between you, Dave (localbandography), Dereck I am expanding my knowledge....thank you Michael for this very interesting video....as I say to many here......learning is cool 😎 cheers Michael 👋🏻✊🏻🎶
So glad you are enjoying this! All the best to you!
A vinyl wall of Sun Ra/Sun Ra Arkestra albums. I second that "Ra! Ra! Ra!"~
Rob/Boston
Cheers, Rob!
Michael, wonderful descriptions of the Sun Ra albums and thank you for explaining the ''sample and hold'' concept. Neil Young wrote a song titled, ''Sample And Hold'', which was first released on the ''Trans'' album and then on the ''Lucky Thirteen'' compilation. The ''Lucky Thirteen version is 3 minutes longer. My friend, Jack, was Sun Ra's manager in the 1980's until he died. I think he still works with The Arkestra, may be just in charge of booking tour dates. I had an inside connection to the world of Sun Ra, I could write a book! I was able to buy Saturn records directly from John Gilmore. I had many hours of conversation with Sun Ra, I also tugged on his purple under-beard. I danced with Sun Ra onstage, the stars were aligned perfectly that day!
Hi Michael - Wow, what awesome experiences with the man himself! Thanks for sharing that!
It's certainly a great time to be a Sun Ra fan. There's been some great live albums out too of late. My favourites among these would be 'Roma 1980', a 3 LP box set, really high quality release, and also 'live at the Paradiso 1970', another really high quality release from Ra's peak live period. I think this one is my new favourite love Ra album!
I don't have either one of those, sounds like I need them! You can never have too much Ra. Thanks for the info!
I really appreciated the samples as I know so little about him but so many people love him. I just like to show him in the record bins lol.
Yeah, one of the records you flipped past last week was priced at $300! I assume that was one of his own Saturn Records pressings. Drool.
Hellooooool Michael👋🏻watching my friend
Howdy Lis! 😻
I had no idea that those older albums were recently reissued. Out of the three titles Excelsior Hill, Prophet and Thunder of the Gods. Which one would you say is the most cohesive? Thanks Mike. This was a special update for casual and longtime Sun Ra fans~
Rob/Boston
That's hard to say because they are all uncharacteristic in various ways. Excelsior Hill is the most consistent in sound, but side one of Thunder of the Gods is the most typically Sun Ra sounding one...then into something completely different for side two.
GREAT Video!! I've always been a fan of SUN RA and I consider him a great artist. Thank for the book recommendations. I will pick those up soon. I saw those alsbums you showed over th weekend at my record store and almost picked them in a trade. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Edward! Glad you enjoyed it.
Highly recommend the book Omniverse from Hartmut Geerken and Chris Trent.
One to add to the list!
Sun Ra is an artist I really should get mire by - only have 5 of his albums (including 3 of the the ones behind you - the two from BYG and Magic City. Unfortunately there's just so much of it and I never see any at the record fairs. Enjoyed seeing and hearing the ones you showed. Cheers...Pete
Hi Pete! There is indeed a LOT of Sun Ra out there, and more coming out all the time. I have a bunch of CDs as well. Thanks for watching!
June Tyson on Prophet. Count me in.
You can't go wrong!
nice, i still have my copy of heliocentric world vol 1 on ESP Disk.
Such a classic. I have an original of Vol. 2, but my copy of Vol. 1 is a reissue. Thanks for watching!