Sun Ra - Live in Rome (1980) [2010]

The soundboard quality of the 22 tracks that clock in a few ticks under 1:52 make the 2-CD set recorded on March 28, 1980, in Rome, Italy, quite appealing for even the most casual collector of the vast live library of Sun Ra.
Vocalist June Tyson is the standout, as her range and stunning stage presence are captured on "Astro Black," "The World is Waiting for the Sunrise/Mr. Mystery," "Space is the Place/We Travel the Spaceways" and "Nothing Is." Sun Ra spans the artistic universe on piano and keyboards, though his work on "Mr. Mystery" leaves an indelible mark. There is heavy emphasis on the rhythms projected by drummers Eric Walker and Chris Henderson, with ample solo space provided for Michael Ray (trumpet), Marshall Allen (alto sax, flute, oboe), Noel Scott (alto and baritone sax, percussion), John Gilmore (tenor sax, percussion), Danny Ray Thompson (baritone sax, flute) and Kenny Williams (tenor and baritone sax, percussion). The flutes on the first track - which is not titled - seem to be channeling the beauty of Newet.
Released on the independent label Transparency, the textures in the performance emit rays of hope and optimism to all who listen.


Tracks:

CD 1:
01. Untitled (20:13)
02. Tapestry from an Asteroid (5:40)
03. Astro Black (5:57)
04. The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise/Mr. Mystery (1:30)
05. Discipline 27 (4:15)
06. Untitled (2:09)
07. Untitled (3:20)
08. Big John's Special (3:06)
09. Yeah Man! (2:32)
10. Springtime Again (6:30)
11. Limehouse Blues (3:49)


CD 2:
01. Watusa (7:56)
02. Lights on a Satellite (5:57)
03. Enlightenment (2:17)
04. Space Is the Place/We Travel the Spaceways (9:20)
05. Nothing Is (3:04)
06. Children of the Sun (1:32)
07. Calling Planet Earth/On Jupiter (14:12)
08. Hit That Jive Jack (1:34)
09. Untitled (1:57)
10. King Porter Stomp (4:12)
11. Sun Ra and His Band from Outer Space (0:37)

Personnel:

Sun Ra - piano, keyboards, vocals
Michael Ray - trumpet
Marshall Allen - alto saxophone, flute, oboe
Knoel Scott - alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, percussion
John Gilmore - tenor saxophone, percussion
Danny Ray Thompson - baritone saxophone, flute
Kenny Williams - tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, percussion
Chris Henderson, Eric "Samurai" Walker - drums
June Tyson - vocals
Recorded live at Teatro Giulio Cesare, Rome on March 28, 1980.