One of those venerated jazz masters who wasn’t averse to crossover, Carla Bley, who passed away in 2023, left behind an impressive discography and a prominent trail across an array of rock records, including works by Nick Mason and Jack Bruce, and quite a few concert recordings. Her first stage document was out 1982, and there were more platters released in the wake of “Live!” – only those followed in the later part of the same decade, which is why “Joyful Noise (Live In Hamburg 1984)” that’s just been issued is of major interest to all of the late lady’s fans.
To promote her then-latest “Heavy Heart” LP, Bley visited Germany with a ten-piece ensemble band featuring, among others, her husband, trumpeter Michael Mantler, and bassist Steve Swallow, with whom she laid down quite a few albums, including one bearing her name, so Carla felt in her element, and the two CDs capture the players’ mood perfectly. A great memento.
Joyful Noise
(Live In Hamburg 1984)
CD 1:
1. La Paloma
2. Talking Hearts
3. Joyful Noise
4. The Lord Is Listening’ To Ya, Hallelujah!
5. Light Or Dark
6. Misterioso
CD 2:
1. Venus Fly Trap
2. Nu Derection
3. Ending It
4. Starting Again / Ups And Downs
5. Battleship
6. Copyright Royalties
