Carla Bley's tentet performs some of her most colorful themes on this often-humorous and generally stimulating set. "Jesus Maria and Other Spanish Strains" and the three-part "Musique Mecanique" are particularly memorable. This is the perfect setting for Bley's music, with such musicians as trumpeter Michael Mantler, Gary Windo on tenor and bass clarinet, trombonist Roswell Rudd and Bob Stewart on tuba making their presence felt. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
1. 440 9:44
2. Jesus Maria And Other Spanish Strains 11:50
3. Musique Mecanique I 9:45
4. Musique Mecanique II (At Midnight) 7:02
5. Musique Mecanique III 6:27
EUGENE CHADBOURNE acoustic guitar, electric guitar
ALAN BRAUFMAN alto saxophone, clarinet, flute
STEVE SWALLOW bass
CHARLIE HADEN bass (2)
D. SHARPE drums
JOHN CLARK french horn
KAREN MANTLER glockenspiel
CARLA BLEY organ, toy piano (3), piano (2)
TERRY ADAMS piano, organ (3)
GARY WINDO tenor saxophone, bass clarinet
ROSWELL RUDD trombone, vocales (4)
MICHAEL MANTLER trumpet
BOB STEWART tuba
All compositions by Carla Bley
Recorded through November 1978 at Grog Kill Studio, Willow, New York
WATT Works WATT/9 839 313-2