The second recording by Charlie Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra utilizes a few alumni (the bassist/leader, trumpeters Don Cherry and Mike Mantler, tenor saxophonist Dewey Redman, drummer Paul Motian and pianist Carla Bley), along with other musicians who rose to prominence since the 1969 debut album (Jim Pepper and Steve Slagle on reeds, trombonist Gary Valante, guitarist Mick Goodrick, Sharon Freeman on French horn, and Jack Jeffers on tuba). As with the first set, the music mixes together some melodic but avant-garde explorations with revolutionary themes including songs from the Spanish Civil War, El Salvador, Portugal and Chile. "Too Late," a duet by Bley and Haden, serves as a change of pace. The music is quite credible and emotional, and has dated well. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
01. Els Segadors [The Rapers] (Traditional)
02. The Ballad of the Fallen [El Salvador] (traditional)
03. If You Want to Write Me [Si Me Quieres Escribir] (Traditional)
04. Garanola Vila Morena (Jose Alfonso/Jorge Alfonso)
05. Introduction to People (Carla Bley)
06. El Pueblo Unido Jamas Sera vencido (Eduardo Carrasco/Sergio "El Checo" Ortega)
07. Silence (Charlie Haden)
08. Too Late (Carla Bley)
09. La Pasionaria (Charlie Haden)
10. La Santa Espina (Traditional)
CHARLIE HADEN bass
CARLA BLEY piano, glockenspiel, arranger
DON CHERRY pocket trumpet
SHARON FREEMAN french horn
MICK GOODRICK guitar
JACK JEFFERS tuba
MICHAEL MANTLER trumpet
PAUL MOTIAN drums, percussion
JIM PEPPER tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute
DEWEY REDMAN tenor saxophone
STEVE SLAGLE alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, clarinet, flute
GARY VALENTE trombone
Recorded November 1982 at Tonstudio Bauer, Ludwigsburg
ECM Records ECM 1248 / 811 546-2