Long before music television filled the airwaves, the WTTW series Soundstage sparked the nation. In an impressive run from 1974-1985, this innovative and prestigious program achieved widespread critical acclaim and featured the artists that defined the era, including such luminaries as Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Bonnie Raitt, Al Green, the Doobie Brothers, Harry Chapin, Dionne Warwick, the Temptations and Kenny Loggins.
In 1981, the Chicago Jazz Festival opening festivities featuring the Sun Ra Arkestra were taped and later broadcast on Soundstage. This 30 minute broadcast may not be all that survives of the concert...
351. [267] Sun Ra Arkestra
Sun Ra (org, syn, declamation); Ronnie Brown (tp); unidentified (tp); Tyrone Hill (tb); Vincent Chancey (Fr hn); Marshall Allen (as, fl, perc); Eloe Omoe (as, bcl, perc); John Gilmore (ts, timb); Danny Ray Thompson (bars, as, perc); James Jacson (bsn, fl, Inf-d); Carl LeBlac (eg); Hayes Burnett (b); Samarai Celestial [Eric Walker] (d); Craig Haynes (d); poss. Atakatune (cga); June Tyson (voc, dance); Carla Washington (dance); unidentified female (dance).
Chicago Jazz Festival, Grant Park,
Chicago, September 2, 1981
comments by announcer [Marty Robinson]
When There Is No Sun (Ra) [ens voc]
Along Came Ra (Ra) [JT, ens voc]
Discipline 27 (Ra)
Big John's Special (H. Henderson)
Happy as the Day Is Long (Koehler-Arlen)
Fate in a Pleasant Mood (Ra) [SR declamation; ens voc]
Space Is the Place (Ra) [JT, ens voc; inc]
This concert survives in the form of audio and videotapes derived from a 30-minute broadcast over WTTM. Terry Martin believes that the original unedited videotape may still survive. Tunes from Robert Iannapollo; personnel identified from the video. The second trumpet player is also on the Left Bank Jazz Society concert (probably summer 1978) that was filmed for A Joyful Noise. Carla Washington says she performed at this concert, and Craig Haynes has confirmed his presence.
from The Earthly Recordings 2nd ed.
Many Thanks to Marc E. of Philadelphia for use of his video tape!
Absolutely great. Thxxxx for the video.
ReplyDeleteOh boy, this was one of those pivotal moments for me. Sun Ra was already The Guy by this point, but I still hadn’t had a chance to see him live before this broadcast. You beta believe I was sitting on the floor glued to the TV screen – probably floating a couple of inches above the floor in fact. It was like the hieroglyph translation on the inside cover of the original Nuits Vol.1 reissue on Recommended; “The doors of the horizon are thrown open – it’s bolts unbolted.” I still admire the nads it took to stand on stage in front of a crowd of 100+ thousand and tell them they’d lost there way!
ReplyDeleteGlad you're enjoying the video, guys.
ReplyDelete>I still admire the nads it took to stand on stage in front of a crowd of 100+ thousand and tell them they’d lost there way!
HA! I hadn't thought of it that way before, Rev.B, but you're right!
Meurglys, I've really been loving your new blog, Ecuación cósmica So many great posts already!
Thx a lot yotte. I've always loved your Blog.
ReplyDeleteseeing this 'little' segment makes one wonder if there is more sitting around in someone's tape archive?
ReplyDeletemany thanks to yotte for making this available!
I-)
here is a quick timeline of the video. am i close to reality?
ReplyDeleteI-)
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the chicago jazz festival
09-02-81 (opening night)
grant park, chicago
chicago educational television association / wttw
soundstage
28:19, color
00:00 intro (marty robinson): 'the music you hear tonight just
may be the jazz of the future today.'
00:29 the sky is a sea of darkness
01:17 along came ra
02:39 some call me mr. ra
02:53 discipline 27-II
04:07 space chordings > marshall allen solo > chords > drums and sax >
john gilmore solo >
08:22 big john's special (with dancers) > applause
13:26 drums > ain't she sweet (?)
16:27 happy as the day is long
19:23 fate in a pleasant mood
23:10 if i told you i'm from outer space,
you wouldn't want to believe a word i say, would you? ... >
you've lost your rights...
24:01 come journey with me across the sea of immortality...
24:27 space is the place (sun ra vocal)
25:08 space is the place (june tyson vocal)
26:13 announcer: 'space is the place..."
26:43 sitp > outer spaceways inc. > we travel the spaceways > credits (x)
28:19 end
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please o please give us a working d/l link!
ReplyDeletesorry, i'm just drooling agin',,, ;-)
keep on wishin'
mmk