Pussy Cat Dues: The Music of Charles Mingus

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Bassist/composer Charles Mingus wrote and performed some of the 20th century's most passionate and complex music, some of it with lyrics. This 1995 live date recorded in Cologne, Germany, features the ever-evolving jazz vocalist Kevin Mahogany fronting the WDR Big Band with drummer Dennis Mackrel and ex-Mingus bandmates, trombonist Jimmy Knepper and alto saxophonist Charles McPherson. Together, they reveal another layer of Mingus's musical gifts. Mahogany's Kansas City-bred pipes cut through the velvet harmonic fog of the moody ballad, "Eclipse," with Knepper's fluent and fluid solo. The title track swings with a slinky, slow drag feel, capped by Mahogany's scats and McPherson's Charlie Parker-like flights. The band takes center stage on "Reincarnation of a Lovebird" and a 20-minute-plus medley. The dancing "Boogie Stop Shuffle" merges with the New Orleans grooved "Jelly Roll" and then heads into the Lester Young tribute, "Goodbye Porkpie Hat" (with lyrics by Rahsaan Roland Kirk). This, and the gospelized "Better Git Hit in Your Soul" offer a pleasing plate of Mingus's music served with Kevin Mahogany's urbane, down-home vocal spices. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Tracks:

Eclipse - Kevin Mahogany/Jimmy Knepper
Pussy Cat Dues - Kevin Mahogany/Jimmy Knepper/John Goldsby/Charles McPherson
Portrait - Kevin Mahogany/Rolf Romer
Reincarnation Of A Love Bird - Charles Mcpherson/Jimmy Knepper/Frank Chastenier/John Goldsby/Dennis Marckel
Mingus Medley: Boogie Stop Shuffle/Jelly Roll/Good-Bye Pork Pie Hat/Better Git Hit In Your Soul - Charles McPherson/Jimmy Knepper/Dennis Mackrel
Tonight At Noon - Charles McPherson/Jimmy Knepper/Dennis Mackrel

Amazon.com

Bassist/composer Charles Mingus wrote and performed some of the 20th century's most passionate and complex music, some of it with lyrics. This 1995 live date recorded in Cologne, Germany, features the ever-evolving jazz vocalist Kevin Mahogany fronting the WDR Big Band with drummer Dennis Mackrel and ex-Mingus bandmates, trombonist Jimmy Knepper and alto saxophonist Charles McPherson. Together, they reveal another layer of Mingus's musical gifts. Mahogany's Kansas City-bred pipes cut through the velvet harmonic fog of the moody ballad, "Eclipse," with Knepper's fluent and fluid solo. The title track swings with a slinky, slow drag feel, capped by Mahogany's scats and McPherson's Charlie Parker-like flights. The band takes center stage on "Reincarnation of a Lovebird" and a 20-minute-plus medley. The dancing "Boogie Stop Shuffle" merges with the New Orleans grooved "Jelly Roll" and then heads into the Lester Young tribute, "Goodbye Porkpie Hat" (with lyrics by Rahsaan Roland Kirk). This, and the gospelized "Better Git Hit in Your Soul" offer a pleasing plate of Mingus's music served with Kevin Mahogany's urbane, down-home vocal spices. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent revision.......2006-08-12

One of the greatest composers in the jazz history got a most deserving and ariculate piece of attention by some of the greatest american and german jazz artists on this CD.
Mahogany's vocal are often used as if he were a member of the band, rather than a vocalist star (this is reminiscent, for instance, of some of the Ellington's classical recordings). But, although the WDR band (directed by Bill Dobbins) sounds excellent on tracks without Mahogany, it is his presence that brings something special, particularly when he scats like mad (on "Pussy Cat Dues").
My only serious complaint is that the tracks often end too soon after the applause, instead of more natural merging of the songs at an album. But, this is a really insignificant remark that fades in the presence of Mahogany, Jimmy Knepper, Charles McPherson and other musicians.

How can you go wrong with Mingus???.......2001-08-10

What? This CD has been out for a year and no one has reviewed it? That's amazing! And sad too. If you are a Mingus fan then you will enjoy KM's interpretations. If you are new to Mingus, then this is a nice accessible way (assuming you are comfortable with scat singing) to start exploring Mingus's work (you should also check out Ah Um).

KM's singing on this CD is incredible. He is not only technically brilliant, but he is also incredibly musical. He is the best scat singer that I have ever heard. Also, he really brings out the essense of each of Mingus's songs.

The band is dynamic and tight. And the interaction between KM and the band is inspired.

The are two reasons that I did not give this CD 5 stars. First, Mingus was a prolific composer and I feel that KM did not choose the best Mingus tunes (although Mingus Medley is great attempt at spanning the song book!). Second, it does not feature KM enough. When it comes to recent big band interpretations of Mingus none can top the Mingus Big Band (check out all their CD's!!!). So KM's vocals are what make this CD special and there are not enough vocals.

Music:

Music

Music