With: Archie Shepp (tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, vocals), Mal Waldron (piano)
Record date: February 9 & 10, 2002
So there it is then: Mal’s last record. Still in Paris he teamed up with legendary saxophonist Archie Shepp for 9 songs that were all more or less affiliated with Lady Day. Mal was Billie’s last pianist and lots of people still remember him that way. He sometimes admitted he was getting a little tired of the endless questions about his time with her. In every interview the first question was always: so how was it working with Billy Holiday? Mal was indeed an excellent last pianist to her and he was also a personal friend (Billie is godmother to his daughter Mala). But as this whole blog proves: Mal has moved on since then and did lots of other interesting things.
Yet Lady Day always remained a special place in his heart. Her death devastated Mal as he always looked up a little bit to her. He saw her a bit as a mother figure and loved working with her. Later he stated that if Bilie would have stayed in Europe in 1958 she would probably still be alive. I do not know about that but he sure had a special bond with her. After her death he regularly revisited compositions he had written with or for her. One of Mal’s key compositions was written with Billie on an airplane. Mal wrote the music, Billie did the lyrics. That composition was ‘Left Alone’ which was also the title of his Bethlehem album with Jackie McLean. And it also gave it’s title to his very last album.
This date really remains one of my all time favorite records by Mal, if not one of my very favorite jazz records. The chemistry with Archie Shepp is immense. He had worked before with Mal, not on official records but on gigs and there are several bootlegs circulating. And of course the recording with Tchangodei which was an official one but is pretty rare. Shepp’s raw and bluesy lyricism fits so incredibly well with Mal’s deep emotional statements on the piano. It’s like they activate the most lyrical part in each other and this whole music breaths nothing more than pure feeling.
There are the playful almost humorous phrases on standards like ‘Nice Work If You Can Get It’ or the vocal part on ‘Blues for 52nd Street’. Shepp is of course no nightingale but his raw bluesy voice suits excellent here and sounds full of joy and feeling. There are the more laidback statements on ‘Easy Living’ and ‘When Your Lover Has Gone’ that shine from pure excitement and joy. Shepp’s playing is very, very bluesy. Almost in a dirty kinda way. His tone is thick, raw and warm all at the same time. And Mal’s playing is at ease but oh so thoughtful. He carefully weigh each notes and then just let them flow out of his hands. But really the highlight of the album and also of Mal’s career is the most beautiful version of his composition ‘Left Alone’ that was ever put on record. Shepp’s solo goes right trough your bones and hit you in the heart. The sound by this duo here has such a sad feeling, but is is one of absolute beauty, Mal’s solo strikes me the most. It has this very definitive sound, like he knew this would be one of his last statements on record. And also like he is at peace with the life he has lead. Some kind of last statement. It still gives me goose bumps.
Mal had recorded quite a lot of records for Enja but it had been quite a while since he last recorded directly for that label. Yet he remained always affiliated with it trough TUTU records of course. This record is widely avaible for low prices. It’s essential and definitive Mal. It’s also essential Shepp. These are some very great last words by this remarkable pianist.
Where's the love that's made to fill my heart
Where's the one from whom I'll never part
First they hurt me, then desert me
I'm left alone, all alone
Where's the house that I can call my home
Where's the place from which I'll never roam
Town or city, It's a pity
I'm left alone, all alone
Seek and find they always say
But up till now it's not that way
Maybe fate has let her pass me by
Or perhaps we'll meet before I die
Hearts will open, but until then
I'm left alone, all alone
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