Boogie-Woogie String Along for Real is the final album recorded by jazz multi-instrumentalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk, featuring performances by Kirk with string section and orchestra.[1] It was recorded following a stroke which left him partially paralysed.[2]
| Boogie-Woogie String Along for Real | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1977 | |||
| Recorded | July 18, 1975–1976 | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Label | Warner Bros. | |||
| Producer | Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Joel Dorn | |||
| Rahsaan Roland Kirk chronology | ||||
| ||||
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [3] |
| The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide | [4] |
The Bay State Banner wrote that "Kirk's playing has certainly diminished since his stroke last year; it lacks the verve, strength and variety of earlier times, but his humor and satirical bite are still present."[5]
The AllMusic review by Thom Jurek states: "The final album Rahsaan Roland Kirk ever recorded remains one of his finest. Post-stroke, Kirk struggled with his conception of the music he was trying to make. Boogie-Woogie String Along for Real is the payoff... The all-inclusive vision Kirk has of a music embraces all emotions and attitudes and leaves no one outside the door. This is Kirk's Black Classical Music, and it is fully realized on this final track and album."[3]
Track listing
edit- All compositions by Rahsaan Roland Kirk except as indicated
- "Boogie Woogie String Along for Real" – 8:52
- "I Loves You, Porgy" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, Dubose Heyward) – 1:51
- "Make Me a Pallet on the Floor" (Traditional) – 7:14
- "Hey Babebips" – 5:10
- "In a Mellow Tone" (Duke Ellington, Milt Gabler) – 6:15
- "Summertime" (Gershwin, Gershwin, Heyward) – 1:40
- "Dorthaan's Walk" – 7:08
- "Watergate Blues" (Percy Heath) – 6:35
- Recorded at Regent Sound Studios, NYC, 1977
Personnel
edit- Roland Kirk: tenor saxophone, harmonica, electric kalimba, clarinet, flute, vocals
- Steve Turre: trombone (tracks (1, 4, 7 & 8)
- Hilton Ruiz: keyboards (tracks 4, 7 & 8)
- Phil Bowler: bass (tracks 1, 4, 7 & 8)
- Sonny Brown: drums (tracks 1, 4, 7 & 8)
- Percy Heath: cello (tracks 4 & 8)
- Sammy Price: piano (tracks 1–3, 5 & 6)
- Tiny Grimes: guitar (tracks 2, 3, 5 & 6)
- Arvell Shaw: bass (tracks 2, 3, 5 & 6)
- Gifford McDonald: drums (tracks 2, 3, 5 & 6)
- William S. Fischer: arranger, electric piano (track 1)
- Eddie Preston: trumpet (track 1)
- Jimmy Buffington: french horn (track 1)
- Harold Kohon, Sanford Allen, Kathryn Kienke, Regis Iandiorio, Tony Posk, Yoko Matsuo, Doreen Callender: violin (track 1)
- Selwart Clarke, Linda Lawrence, Julien Barber: viola (track 1)
- Eugene Moye, Jonathan Abramowitz, Charles Fambrough: cello (track 1)
References
edit- ^ Rahsaan Roland Kirk discography accessed 21 August 2009
- ^ Henderson, A. A Standing Eight Review accessed 21 August 2009
- ^ a b Jurek, T. AllMusic Review accessed 21 August 2009.
- ^ Swenson, J., ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. pp. 119. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.
- ^ Wynn, Ron (22 June 1978). "Improvisation". Bay State Banner. No. 37. p. 17.