19 September 2017

Dave Holland Quartet with Sam Rivers, Anthony Braxton and Barry Altschul at Studio Rivbea, 1 December 1972





Getting started with the many live recordings by "orchiddoctor", we might begin with the oldest tape which was recorded at Studio Rivbea in NY in 1972. The place was set up as a performance space by Sam Rivers,  seen above with Joe Daley at Studio Rivbea in 1976. The establishment of this space set the beginning for what was to become known as the NY loft scene.

What we get to hear here is the David Holland Quartet which released a wonderful album entitled Conference of the Birds in 1973. This album was recorded on 30 November, the day before  the concert at Studio Rivbea. Naturally, the repertoire is to a great extent taken from the album. After listening to the album and to this concert, what we hear is the following, first a statement of the theme of See Saw, then Q & A, then Four Winds, then Interception rounding out the first file. The second file starts off with Now Here (Nowhere) and ends with a tune that is not on the album. I invite suggestions as to what it is.

Sam Rivers is on tenor sax and flute, Anthony Braxton on alto (and contrabass clarinet), Dave Holland on bass and Barry Altschul on percussion. It's really great to hear the interplay of Rivers and Braxton and their strongly individual styles of playing. Very recognisable and not to be confused. As it's a concert, the tunes are considerably longer than on the album, and considerably wilder, too, not hemmed in by the atmosphere of a recording studio.

More to come!

13 comments:

kinabalu said...

Link:

Adrive

jim said...

What an interesting piece of history you have presented us with.
Thank you K

rev.b said...

Wow, thank you!

francisco santos said...

GREAT CHOICE, KIN...
BIG THX!...

Fourcade said...

Great music! And as you say, played more loosely and what-the-heck.
Cheers Daniel, from Spain...

jeff said...

Thanks for this kinabalu and all at I-Sol. Have waited patiently for this day to come since my post in requests and also the the free form section. This is a truly historical collection of recordings by orchiddoctor. What I've heard so far is amazing. Tried at one point to email orchiddoctor via email posted in empty foxhole post. But, alas the email is no longer valid. Just wanted to thank him for his recordings. Maybe he will pop in on this venture. If so......... Cheers to the Doctor!!

Sun Ra said...

Thanks so much-these guys created a unique groove.

kike said...

Thanks so much for sharing this one! More to come, wow!!

best regards, Kike.

Ilario Rozen said...

great music
many thanks
Ilario

ks said...

Thanks for this one. FYI, on http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/Tapes.aspx?s=19721201, the last track is listed as Billie's Bounce from Charlie Parker.

mingusal said...

Thank you for this!

It's definitely Billie's Bounce on the second half of side 2. You can hear the familiar head played at just after the 14:00 mark.

Smiley said...

Thank you, thank you! I wish I would have had this five years ago! I was analyzing this music deeply, found some of the compositions on a few other albums, and transcribed lead sheets for them. These recordings would've helped a ton, can't wait to hear them!!

Ernst Grgo Nebhuth said...

Thank you, kinabalu.
While reading Bill Shoemaker's new book with his description of some of River's music I took a look here at IS and found this (historically fitting) Studio Rivbea recording.