Track Listing

1. Out There
2. Serene
3. Baron
4. Eclipse
5. 17 West
6. Sketch of Melba
7. Feathers

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6783 in Music
• Brand: Prestige
• Released on: 2006-03-21
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered

Album Description
Japanese limited edition issue of the album classic in a deluxe, miniaturized LP sleeve replica of the original vinyl album artwork.

Amazon.com
By the time of this 1960 recording, only his second as a leader, Dolphy has already dispensed with the "traditional" jazz instrumentation. With bassist George Duvivier and drummer Roy Haynes holding down the rhythm, Ron Carter moves to the frontline armed with a cello, joining Dolphy as he switches from alto to bass clarinet to regular clarinet to flute. Out There catches Dolphy at a significant crossroads: The music is more ambitious and more jagged than on its predecessor Outward Bound, but more cohesive and less aurally challenging than on his 1964 master work, Out to Lunch. Dolphy's improvisations---on each instrument--are bursting with creative, far-reaching ideas, expressive wails, and frenetic flurries while Carter's eerie arco (bowed) cello ambles quietly, sometimes melancholy, sometimes menacing. Dolphy's four originals show his absorption of Mingus---especially on the blues distortion of "Serene"---and provide perfect blueprints for his bizarre constructions. The quartet also handles one tune from Mingus himself (the ruminating "Eclipse") plus Randy Weston's fragile "Sketch of Melba." --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews

A rare genious !
No one has ever played quite like Eric Dolphy. People tried to find out if he played "free" (what's the opposite ?) but he always played HIMSELF beautifully ! This is a marvelous and groundbreaking CD recorded in 1960 with Ron Carter on CELLO, George Duvivier on bass and the great Roy Haynes on drums. Dolphy plays his arsenal of wind instruments - including the alto, bass clarinet, flute and b-flat clarinet. The sound is completely original and it must have sounded strange to many in 1960. Dolphy's solo on the first track is mindblowing. Where did he get his ideas and sound from ? This is like a mix of Parker the man and a real bird - just great ! The playing throughout is just as great. The CD moves from hard driving to introspective moments with complete ease. This makes the time listening to the CD seem to pass quickly (it is not too long anyway) and everything seems fresh. The fresh and original spirit of this CD is outstanding - for anyone really into pure music !

Still cutting edge after 40 years
This release has plenty to recommend it, including the versatility of Dolphy's playing. From the delicate flute of "17 West" to the aggressive bass clarinet of "Serene," he covers an impressive gamut of sounds. Ron Carter's superb work on cello, set against the solid bass of George Duvivier and the impeccable drumming of Roy Haynes makes the album a rich and unpredicable listening experience.

Even if none of that were true, though, I'd still give "Out There" high marks on the basis of just one tune: "Feathers," unfortunately not sampled here. With this one song, Dolphy blows away all the detractors who said he lacked form, that he was too wild and undisciplined to create coherent solos and meaningful music.

"Feathers" opens with a slow, building line that ultimately dissolves into an alto solo that is, for me, quite simply one of the best ever constructed. Duvivier moves with supple lines behind Dolphy while Haynes lays down a simple beat and then the altoist takes care of the rest. His solo has it all: power, passion, drama and an absolutely logical form that makes it sound each time I hear it like a perfectly told story. Its beauty holds up to repeated listenings, as all the great ones do.

Fine compositions (Dolphy originals plus takes on Mingus and Randy Weston compositions), a great band, and an inspired performance that belongs on the shelf next to the best ever recorded: there should be little else needed to give "Out There" a gigantic stamp of approval.

an underrated Dolphy release
When referring to Dolphy it seems like many writers point to his "Out to Lunch" recording as his best while "Out There" seems to get honorable mention. Of the many Dolphy albums and cd's i own, while "Out to Lunch was his most groundbreaking, i'd have to say that i enjoy listening to "Out There" the most. The title track is an amazing intro to this cd. The head is complex and the alto solo is just incredible AND the tune swings like mad. The next one, "Serene", starts with a beautiful intro, but then the mood changes when Dolphy goes off into an incredibly imaginative bass clarinet solo - unlike anything you've ever heard before. His flute playing is exceptional - in it's own league. In "17 West", while swinging like mad again Dolphy's flute playing reveals an incredible sense of urgency, which suddenly turns to beauty in "Sketch of Melba". Dolphy is also backed by some of the finest musicians in jazz: Carter, Duvivier and Haynes. Dolphy's playing is "jubilantly free" yet like i said earlier, swings - moreso than on "Out to Lunch". Recommended!