The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady

I don't understand this. I enjoyed the first three movements well enough, the fourth just baffled me, and honestly none of it made sense. So I did the only reasonable thing, I listened again. Second listen about the same, except this time the fourth movement didn't seem quite as discombobulated. So I went ahead and started again. Third listen same as second, no progress this time. Still no clue what is happening. I'm done for now, but I'll be back for another round at some point. There is something here that's peaked my curiousity. Now, I know next to nothing about jazz. My favorite jazz album is Vince Guaraldi's, A Charlie Brown Christmas, not exactly the deepest piece you'll encounter. Yet somehow this crazy mess is appealing. I think it's Similar to a jigsaw puzzle. Lots of parts, the pieces are all over the place, but if you're able to put it together you get a cool picture. Anyway, I'm not sure I like it, but it's definately interesting.

Pretty good, but I don't think I was in the right place for it. The freestyle, stochastic nature of the jazz was a bit distracting as I was working, which made it less enjoyable. But, with some whiskey and friends, probably would be pretty good.

love a good jazz album! definitely would not have found this on my own, I've never heard of Charles Mingus!

Better than I thought it would be. Not really my cup of tea but pretty interesting album. I think I would like it if I would listen to it more oftem

Not the biggest fan of jazz, but this was ok I guess. If nothing else, it fit with the frenetic energy of my 45-minute prep period today.

I'm sure this is some superb stuff for jazz nerds, but this just wasn't easy audio to digest.

Interesting and technically impressive but it didn’t touch me

Avant-Garde jazzia. Ajoittain ihan tyylikästä, välillä lähtee täysin lapasesta. Luo kyllä kivan kontrastin. Kappaleista ei oikein tarttumapintaa saa, mutta mielenkiintoinen levy silti. Parhaat: Track C - Group Dancers

I felt like I was listening to a genius, but I also did not "get" a lot of it. I don't know if I'm smart enough for Charles Mingus, but maybe it will help open the door to jazz

Of a particular vibe. Good for relaxing after a party!

Would have been 2 stars but I like this guys name

It's alright.

I think tracks B and C were the best, and the first and last ones were a little too chaotic for me. Good jazzy vibes for sure.

Weird but kinda wonderful

Good album, enjoyed listening, but kind of felt like elevated background music. Didn’t stand out to me, but also not my go to genre.

How can you vote against Mingus!

Ok

Avant-garde jazz parts just aren't for me. The rest is cool, I could hear various styles but don't understand Jazz enough to rate this higher. 2.5/5. Raising to 3.

It was fine, though I'm not a huge jazz fan. But nothing egregious on here.

It was ok

I mean it's jazz. I guess it's considered good. Great job jazz man. As I got further into the album there were a few fun jams that I enjoyed. Not really for me but it's probably good for what it is - some energetic parts push it just slightly above middle of the road. I don't totally hate it but it doesn't really do it for me either.

not bad.

Bass playing brotha man

-Track A-Solo Dancer: am i at a fancy restaurant? -Track B-Duete Solo Dancers: IM DANCINNNN -Track C-Group Dancers: nostalgic, kind of reminds me of what my old orchestra would play -Medley:Mode D-Trio and Group Dancers: moments of peace and chaos not something i would listen to in my free time, but good for restaurants and background music for doing work.

чё-то не особо, вероятно тональность не та

4 songs. 39 minutes. I prefer my jazz live because watching the musicians play with their whole body and look so into it always drags me deeper in. I watch how they crinkle their faces and glance at each other to attempt to decipher the story they’re telling. Track A was a nice roller coaster. It was fun and variable. Track B feels wild and chaotic like the band is just throwing some stuff out there. But that’s just jazz to my untrained ear sometimes. Track C is like a ballet. I can imagine the choreography. The fact that is Mode D and not Track D is a jazz ass move. Way to break out some Spanish guitar on this track! Interesting shift!

It's an experimental interesting album, but I found it very hard to deal with

I've heard this album from two to four times every day since it got recommended (about 5 days in total). Not because I love it, more because I don't know how to feel about it, and I'm still struggling today to have a solid opinion on it. I'm facing one of those situations in which an album, in general, doesn't make me feel almost nothing good or bad. I'm not engaged nor bored. But at least I can say that I liked some melodies and I do appreciate the clear sound and great performances. To say it in another way, my positive feelings comes from me understanding it more than the emotions it makes me feel. My plan is to keep returning to this record and hoping by someday it will have grown more on me. I could just leave it unrated, but I prefer to give a provisional score and move on.

Day 120 First listen- It was good music while I was studying. (3/5)

Inget jag lyssnar på igen men är glad att ha hört albumet. "Lagom" experimentell jazz för min smak. Trevliga överraskningar.

Good ambient jazz. Liked Group Dancers.

Seemed like a nice blend between true ad-libbed jazz and developed song structure.

A little avant garde at times but not in a way that bothered me too much. Overall this was pretty good and interesting. Obviously some really sick musicians. I considered a 4 but I think it’s a 3.

This is the jazz album that nerds think every jazz album sounds like. Experimental, unexpected, a little jarring at times, but also I really enjoyed it. Not the most catchy track titles, but will still revisit.

This music is dense, very complex, and occasionally unpleasant. I actually enjoyed this record more than I thought I would. But I can’t pretend to be able to fully appreciate Jazz, even if this is one of the finest albums in the genre. Glad I listened, probably won’t be listening again.

Highlight: Track B- Duete Solo Dancers In a nutshell: concept jazz. This is ain't the pedestrian jazz. It's the seedy, noir, exploratory jazz. A plunge into Charles' frantic mind. I highly recommend reading the linear notes (there are transcripts and photos online) to give you more of an idea of where Mingus was going with this album. Because I won't lie- it will be challenging to listen to if you're new to this type of music. Flute and jazz percussion? Flamenco guitar with horns? Random tempo changes? Who woulda thunk it? A little bummed Mingus Ah Um isn't on the list but you can't have them all. Overall: 6/10

6/10

I think it’s impossible to dislike Charles Mingus. Another quality album of his.

It’s a powerful and cinematic album — classical and dramatic, like an old Bond soundtrack. For me, it felt a bit too heavy. I wish I could focus more on Mingus’s bass and enjoy it that way.

It's jazz!

The flamingo guitar in the last track was a cool surprise. Ummm I know shit about jazz - but it was okay. Go Jays! Yesavage!

Une belle pièce d’un jazz à la fois intense et groovy, avec une orchestration impressionnante. Tout dans l'album n'est pas ma came à fond mais j'ai passé un bon moment, j’ai apprécié la large palette de style, notamment les influences latino. Une BO sympa pour des balades, notamment la Track C qui pour le coup était pas mal ma came (plus posée, moins de petits riffs répétés à courts intervalles, plus de place pour le thème et une belle symbiose jazz classique - quasi tango). Un bon 3,5 !

3.5

3.0

Das war zu anstrengend

Jazz

Not crazy about the first 60 seconds. Took about 4 minutes in on the first track. Pretty good jazz album. Not one of my favorites though. 3 stars.

Sure. Yeah. It's jazz. Not bad.

jazzguy_nice.gif

3.1 It's fine. It's good musicianship, and I think at the time to hear it in a smokey jazz club with a nice cocktail would have been an enjoyable experience. But in 2025, when is the right time to listen to this. I think it's a too erratic to work to, too pretentious to have on with guests, too boring to have on when cooking/running etc. It's fine, but I think it's lost its place in modern society.

It's good stuff, although Mingus sometimes is a bit difficult to listen to. I often feel his work starts with a motif, something almost catchy, then goes really really far away from it and starts pushing things, getting a bit dissonant, then goes back to the motif. Which is cool, but can test one's patience sometimes.

Ovo je onaj fazon jazza kako sam zamišljala da sve zvuči ali je zasad, na moju sreću, izuzetak. Ne znam ni do čega je ali mi ne odgovara.

3 out of 5. I enjoyed the dark, almost sleazy atmosphere this album has.

I like jazz, but this was a little too discordant for me. I liked what it was trying to do, though. A jazz ballet is a very fun concept.

I found this quite a relaxing album to have on whilst working. I particularly enjoyed the breeziness of track c - group dancers. That track captured lots of different styles and really conveyed energy

easy listening music, I love the elements of i guess double base that remind me of hearing music live in switzerland and also add such emotion to the music.

I do not have the jazz sophistication to make an informed comment. It sounds like a very hot humid day in the south where everything you want is a cold lemonade. I give it three cause I don’t know.

This is jazz. This is quite random and sporadic jazz. This is jazz I couldn't work out if I enjoyed it or not. There was a lot to respect, but a lot to challenge. It felt like Mingus decided that he wanted to challenge his listeners, but also write some cool music (quite a big step in the early 60s!). 3 Stars.

It’s nice background music, I don’t fully get it tbh

There were a few songs I really loved, but most of it was not my style.

I have mixed feelings about this album. There are some very beautiful parts but also some very messy saxophone sounds that turn the music into cacophony. 3/5

Not exactly catchy but the chaos makes it interesting.

60s Jazz-Ballet. Looks cool, sounds cool. Bit more experimental or atonal than I like them. Smooth as velvet.

Jazzy

Ah, jazz. I hoped this was going to be that kind of smooth jazz I can handle while doing work. Alabama 3 slightly sold me a lie on that. It was that in parts. Other parts were certainly quite interesting and novel. Other bits were annoying jazz. Can see why Mingus is so respected but too jazzy for me.

second time listening, still hasn't totally clicked but fascinating to listen to. not my style of jazz but mesmerizing and dynamic all the way

He's no Roy Donk but he was on the Colgate Hour

Track A - mega cool Track B - sounds like Charlie Brown's teacher is telling him off Track C - I'm in New York and it's night time. It's raining and the roads are bright with reflected light. Down these mean streets we must go. Track D - wtf? Who invited the flamenco dancer? I'm getting Police Squad vibes. A curate's egg.

Jazz EXTREMAMENTE experimental, com mistura de estilos. Disco curto com faixas longas. Exige um pouco de paciência para apreciá-lo. Na primeira ouvida me cansou um pouco.

Malheureusement c’est vraiment pas mon style mais pourtant je reconnais la qualité

this is not the easiest listen for someone who don’t love jazz. i enjoy piano based jazz without much else in it but yeah, this is quite chaotic feeling at times but can tell it’s of great quality. 3.5/5

I give it a three, but it is a high 3 stars - Great Jazz Album!

I liked it!

Cool Jazz album. Not sure I will listen again. 5.7/10

The second I put this on, my cat got so stressed he started freaking out. I guess he really hated this album but I liked it well enough :)

I never know what to do with jazz. Its full of masterpiece moments and then it fades out to acceptable and back and forth. Im always amazed by what the players so off the cuff but im not musically inclined enough to fully grasp how and why they do what they do. This was pretty good all that considered. I thought mingus was a piano guy but I hear he's a bass man. And I respect that. Those guys are always my favorite to be honest. Just the cool collected background who you dont think of much but if they wrent there you would know immediately. The performances that stand out are the Spanish guitar and the sax and piano. Lots of very great moments with each. I had a good time and even saved a piece which I wasn't expecting.

mingus

eh

Good background music but it did not stand out vs. Davis, Brubeck, Coltrane et al.

Mingus and his crew swing hard w complicated rhythms, extended solos, and some cacophony. It’s righteous - but sometimes hard to listen to.

Kinda felt like one of those dreams you have after 3 shots of NyQuil and a 102° fever

Good

Any time I listen to legendary jazz, it always evokes cinematic images of big cities bustling with movement and life. Jazz is organic. It didn’t really hit well enough, however, to keep my attention while driving down semi-rural roads. I also don’t think that jazz is ever going to soothe/heal me in the way that lyric-based music does.

Off the cuff remark: it pains me to say it but Mingus always has me thinking that my tastes in jazz are very conservative. There is no doubt about the technical ability and invention, but for most music these are not two elements which necessarily impress me. The occasional dischordant element or repeated phrase sometimes makes for a challenging listen. At times I get it and at times it just gets on my nerves. Standout track: Track B Duete Solo Dancers, perhaps Revisit?: I already have a couple of Mingus albums in my collection and I don't think I will be adding this.

Too busy, but with some nice moments here and there. Fun listen but not in the musical top.

If you enjoy jazz you will dig this album. I like some of it, parts of the third track missed me, then it brought me back. The first two songs had me looking more of his stuff up. I enjoyed it.

That’s some jazzy jazz but it’s mostly noise to me. Not my thang but I can appreciate the talent it takes to make this noise

Relaxing.

Reading other reviews, people either love this album or hate it. I personally enjoyed the chaotic nature and mixture of different parts of each song. I can understand how it’s not to everyone’s liking but would not call it bad.

normal and explosive

This is widely different. So cool for 1963. I found I could just have it on and enjoy it while doing other things, or I could focus on it completely and hear the little nuances

This is some sexy jazz. I felt like I was a detective in a noir film while listening to this, chasing down that bird who keeps showing up at suspicious times. She's lousy with good looks and she knows it, but she's trouble, probably a running a con. She could get me behind the eight ball. But maybe my life needs a bit of trouble. Maybe my day in, day out at the Club house has ol Nickky two shoes square as a bank man's pocket kerchief. I should take the twist for the two bits she's worth and turn her up. But I'm starting to think I'm dizzy with the dame. Any fella knows you can't turn a choppy into a moll without heartbreak. My pumps been through tough times already.

Just like the other Charles Mingus album I've listened to(as well as any Jazz music), it's fine for background music, but it should stay as just that. Favorite Track: "Mode D – Trio and Group Dancers; Mode E – Single Solos and Group Dance; Mode F – Group and Solo Dance"

I realize I was very harsh on the last jazz album I listened to and I had nothing to say. My goal here is to change that I'm not jazz expert. I don't listen to jazz. I don't like jazz and I know that I didn't appreciate this album for what it is. I had a hard time listening to this. I didn't dislike anything about the album. I just had a hard time concentrating on the music. Maybe that's why people like jazz, it allows your mind to wander. It maybe I'm looking too deep. I listened to the first 3 tracks together and the last one by itself. It was background music while I drive to meet up with a friend and then back home. On the final track, I saw some parallels to mariachi. I think it might have been the trumpets. No, I don't listen to mariachi, but it made me wonder if Mingus might have had Latin influences, or vice versa. At the end of the day, the only thing I can rate an album like this on is subjective. While I have no doubt a lot of talent went into its production (I noted the instrumentalists seemed to know what they were doing, at least on an individual album), I'm not listening to this again.

Honestly kind of liked it. Do know much jazz but this was sweet. Chaotic.

I really don't know enough about jazz to fully comprehend this album. I really like when the trumpets go wah wah. I can clearly see some interesting choices like the acoustic guitar on track 3. Could grow on me with further Jazz education 3/5

good but...an example of why some jazz is just too far out for me

Jazz

Pleasant for background music.

Really wanted to like it more that I did. It was ok

Great

Nice

i wish i had a brain big enough to fully comprehend this

I’d give this 3.5 if I could. I enjoyed it

very nice jazz. long long songs

You like Jazz? Pretty good album. Lots of exciting beats, sounds and styles. Good listen. I'm just not in jazz that much

not my fave jazz

Favorite songs: Track B - Duete Solo Dancers, Track A - Solo Dancer Least favorite songs: Medley: Mode D - Trio and Group Dancers/ Mode E - Single Solos and Group Dance/Mode F - Group and Solo Dance 3/5

I love Mingus, but this is a challenging listen.

Complex layered melodies, fun to listen to the big band sound but not quite my vibe. Great album but probably wouldn’t listen again.

It wasn’t bad. I didn’t think that I would like it

I liked it. I was surprised because it's jazz, but I think that I like dark jazz or something like that. I could hear the whole album and happily drive through the city listening to it.

Fun, weird, a lot, interesting, classic, but not gonna relisten to it. Album cover is legit sick as hell. THREE!

Gotta be in the mood for it but then I dig me some Mingus

3/5 good jazz

Seguramente será disfrutable en un club con un whisky y un cigarro; pero, en casa, el jazz no parece para mí

Mad music, not really my scene of jazz and overall I felt quite stressed listening to it. Maybe that’s the point. L.A Noire chase scene, reminded me of the betrayal I felt in that game. 3.0/5

not easy but gooood

It was a little chaotic for my taste but I can see how talented the artist is through the chaos.

weeell iss okaay 2 mAYBE 3

As pleasant as it was unpleasant. Nothing in it for me.

meh, no comments, not for me 2.5/5

Big, brash and overall not the sort of jazz I love

This album was great. However, I was not the biggest fan of the discordance like I usually am. It was a slightly worse jimmy smith.

The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady is an album that had a lot going for it but was held back by one simple thing. This album certainly did have a lot of variety for just having 4 songs. There was the typical jazz music, a point where it had that odd stringed instrument (i don't know if its a guitar or not) and even some very Clair De Lune sounding piano parts. I do like a lot of those aspects but the album just needed to do one thing to be great which it did not do, That is GET IT'S CRAP TOGETHER. This album felt like it had barely any composition as there was just sounds everywhere and it could get annoying. It is a shame since this album could have been a 4 star album, it just needed to fix this issue. Best Song: Track C-Group Dancers Worst Song: Track A-Solo Dancer

According to Wikipedia, "the album features liner notes written by Mingus and his then-psychotherapist". Also: "Outside of music, Mingus published a mail-order how-to guide in 1954 called The Charles Mingus CAT-alog for Toilet Training Your Cat. The guide explained in detail how to get a cat to use a human toilet". Guess this guy's mind was racing, and that comes across on this album, which is full of ideas, it's highly orchestrated, yet sometimes breaking into more free-form such as 'Track C'. I think it floats around 3/4, but I'm not sure I got enough to tip it. I enjoyed it and would certainly like to come back to it one day.

It's fine.

I really wanted to like this more, but it didn't really enthrall me as much as some other jazz albums I've listened to. Maybe a little too avant garde for me?

I don’t really know what to say about this album. The talent level is absolutely there. Some of the songs have very cool and interesting instrumentation. You can feel what it is that Mingus is going for with the different moods. That all being said, I’ll never listen to it again and I only really enjoyed certain parts.

I'm hit and miss with jazz but the album opener is accessible enough that I could get into it. In "Track B" I was struck by the quality of the recording of the awesome brassy tones, but it did listen more like a soundtrack than a stand-alone piece. I think that sums up the album. Well recorded, cool jazz sounds that sound more like a soundtrack than a finished article. Generally faded into the background as I find with all jazz. Shout-out to the flamenco segment on the B-side though.

I kept wondering when they were going to stop warming up and start playing

This had just enough structure to pull me back in every time it went off the rails into chaos. I probably wouldn't seek this out to listen to again, but I can see why it's on the list.

It’s jazz

This stressed me out a bit, but was otherwise a fun listen.

I like the Angry jazz man but this was hard to break into. I am glad to have myself pushed rather than another run of the mill punk album.

imagine having mingus as your last name

Day551 - awesome jazz. needs less tuba

This was pleasant to listen to thank you mr Mingus

Not the most compelling jazz I’ve ever listened to, but alright.

This whole album sounds like cartoon detective cats are hot on my trail and I'm laying low in a jazz club on a night where there's a wild interpretive dance act on stage.

Another Jazz album which I am sure is fantastic if you are a jazz and blues fan, but I cant really discern it from the plethora of others. Good background music. 3 stars

Bit short to fully appreciate

Nice relaxing music thx

Don't know the classic jazz well enough to criticize it. Quite enjoyed this one, but probably wont feel the urge to listen to it again, at least not in the near future.

This isn’t a bad album by any means. But this kind of jazz hits me hardest when it’s live. Right now, I’m listening to it while working, so it’s only three stars for me.

It's jazz. Most of it the good kind with notes in sensible order, some of it is just running fingers on one instruments or another. I did listen to it all the way through, heard some of that... old timey theater music, what ever it's called. This is not something I'd put on myself, but it's not offensive and I don't mind listening to it.

Kind of experimental but in a good way. I will definitely listen to it again.

Raro, no me distustó, algunos temas me daban vibes de investigación privada yankee de los '30

Me gusta el jazz falopa pero creo que este era demasiado. Muy individuales los instrumentos

Enregistré en 1963 par le volcanique Charles Mingus, "The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady", est un ballet sans danseurs, une psychanalyse sans divan, un cri du coeur et de l'âme orchestré avec une précision de maître. Charles Mingus a conçu "The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady", non pas comme une collection de morceaux, mais comme une suite continue, une seule et même pièce en six mouvements fluides et interconnectés. Il fusionne la ferveur du gospel, la sensualité du blues, la sophistication de la musique de chambre classique et, de manière saisissante, les couleurs ardentes du flamenco, incarnées par la guitare de Jay Berliner. Ce dernier n'est pas un simple soliste, il est le contrepoint, l'âme espagnole qui dialogue avec la fureur cuivrée du big band. La structure de l'œuvre est un tour de force. Les thèmes apparaissent, se transforment, disparaissent pour mieux resurgir sous une autre forme. Les sections de cuivres dialoguent avec une puissance dramatique, les saxophones (portés par un Charlie Mariano impérial) pleurent et hurlent, tandis que la section rythmique, menée par la contrebasse tellurique de Charles Mingus et la batterie inventive de Dannie Richmond, est le moteur implacable de cette machine musicale complexe. L'album est une succession de climats, passant sans prévenir de la tendresse la plus désarmante à des explosions de colère chaotiques, d'une sensualité moite à une angoisse quasi palpable. C'est une musique incroyablement visuelle, qui évoque la passion, le conflit, la danse, la prière et la lutte intérieure. Les célèbres notes de pochette, rédigées par le psychologue de Mingus, le Dr. Edmund Pollock, ne font que confirmer cette dimension : nous assistons à une mise à nu, à l'exploration des dualités qui animent le compositeur – le "Saint" et le "Pécheur". En conclusion, "The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady" reste l'un des sommets absolus de la musique du XXe siècle. L'album ne contient pas de "tube" facile, pas de mélodie que l'on fredonne distraitement, c'est une oeuvre dense, touffue, qui ne laisse que peu de répit à l'auditeur. Elle exige une écoute active, une concentration de tous les instants. Par moments, la superposition des couches sonores, la tension permanente et le flot ininterrompu d'idées peuvent devenir étouffants. C'est un voyage exigeant et parfois ardu, mais dont la récompense est immense. Charles Mingus y a gravé son testament artistique, une oeuvre-monde d'une richesse inépuisable qui continue de fasciner, de dérouter et d'émouvoir plus de soixante ans après sa création. Ce n'est pas seulement un disque à écouter, c'est une expérience à vivre. Un 3 sur 5

не моё, но может быть переслушаю

Cant go wrong with jazz. Wasn't a huge fan of those acoustic guitars tho.

Solid jazz album, great playing, not a ton of memorable melodies but probably would need a lot of listens to really start clicking

This was some HEAVY ass jazz. A lot of good stuff going on, but also just a lot going on in general.

Between big band and a little experimental Jazz from the 60-ies.

Good, a Spanish influence not dissimilar though not as extensive as sketches of Spain. A good blend of bebop and experimental elements.

This album feels like one long developing song. It is really solid overall, although the sounds of the trumpet that kind of sound human were a bit unsettling. Track A - Solo Dancer was my favorite.

This album is a lot. Very jazzy... but also kind of abrasive and overwhelming. It's certainly not smooth. It's more of a sprawling epic assault... in a good way. It constantly moves between genres and tempos and moods... building up and crashing back down. Some parts feel like the soundtrack to a Hitchcock film. Some bits feel like they're strait out of film noir. Some passages are purely latin acoustic guitar. And that list of 3 doesn't even scratch the surface of the variety on this album. But somehow it still feels very cohesive? It's a lot to digest in 1 or 2 listens. There is so much going on. I need more time with it. I have a feeling this one will grow on me. The second listen already made more sense than the first. Side note: I can definitely feel the influence of this album on genres outside of jazz. Any sort of rock, punk, post-rock or prog album with weird abrasive sax owes this album a shoutout.

A bit chaotic but good

Interesting but I wouldn't relisten. Jazz but weird, a bit more like a chaotic experimental classical piece - I didn't dislike it like I do most jazz, and I appreciated what they were trying to do, but it just didn't spark for me.

Сложная для восприятия музыка, хотя некоторые эпизоды звучат интересно. 5 из 10.

Very jazz but liked it

I don’t know much about Jazz so I guess this is good? I do know because he is American born I will give an extra star.

Solid for what it is, though not what was needed today.

I sometimes feel like I just don’t understand jazz. This is technically brilliant and I like it, but I don’t love it. And that’s how I generally feel about jazz.

Rating: 6/10 Do not enjoy the blaring horns much, the last song saves this. Filled with many different interesting movements and some very catchy melodies, the final song is great from start to finish. The rest of this is just okay.

Quite enjoyed it despite not being my usual thing

Such a strange album. It's all over the place and just when you think you know what's happening, here comes some flamenco guitar. I'm aware that Mingus was a genius and that this is a great work of art. It's just not for me.

A bit too chaotic for me. I like a lot of jazz but tend more towards the melodic.

This album is going to take a couple listens for me. There are parts I like and parts I don’t understand. I need to learn to listen differently for this one.

Not really into Jazz. This album had some interesting musicality.

Interesting record that tells a story through music. Not one I'd return to often but a cool experience.

groovy but goofy

I think this is an album I would be into if I “got” music more, but at this stage it’s honestly just not something I really enjoyed. Some cool parts, but overall a lot of dissonance and noise and I just had trouble getting into it.

Mostly good sometimes great, often too far out there for me.

I get what Mingus was going for with this album, and some parts really land. I’m a big fan of how heavy and ripping some of the low end instruments are. I just don’t think the pieces all connecting and flowing together does the album any favors. I think the best jazz charts have clear melodies and defined endings.

3/5

This is #day281 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… as much as I have pretty generic knowledge of jazz and mostly just go by what I like or don't, but with this challenge, I'm starting to get a better sense of the styles I relate to. Like today's pick: sheer avant-garde, wild, free kind of shit. Yes, please. This is a strong 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day282.

Very calming, pretty, and perfect for a rainy day. I'm not a huge fan of instrumentals and I would have preferred a longer album with shorter songs. Definitely going to listen to this while I study.

More chaotic than I like my jazz

There were movements that grabs my attention but as a whole it isn't interesting enough to give it a full listen. Influential, but not for me.

Not my cup of tea

Never understood the dissonant jazz. Fun sound at times.

Real quality but sometimes a bit unfocused for the benefit of experimentation. Would like to listen to it more.

Made me feel like I was in a movie. Almost changed my personality as I was walking through the city. I liked it.

Need to spend more time with…

This is some straight up jazz haha it was pretty good just feels kinda out there haha I'm not the biggest jazz fan but it is starting to grow on me the more I hear it!

Mooie sound. Niet direct iets dat ik zou opzetten uit mezelf. Eerder iets dat op de achtergrond zou spelen tijdens een aperitief ofzo. 2.8

This album is a rollercoaster into the mind of a genius jazz man but it is not for the week of heart. Not only does it feature some great bass work (Mingus was a bassist after all), but all the musicians involved give performances that leave you wondering what’s next. Track-B is the best for me, as you can envision a hallucination-like pasa doble style Argentinian dance. For a jazz aficionado this could be the greatest album ever. For us low-level appreciators, I dug this but it’s not date night music and I am pretty sure if I played this at work someone would have a psychotic break. But wow!

Random thoughts: * I know the name Charles Mingus but never listened to him before. Thank you 1001 for the education. * What kind of jazz do you call this. Dark, story, growling jazz? * I liked track C the most on this album. Very noir and and really sets the tone for a film. * Happy to be exposed to something new and different. Not sure I'll return here. But a good listen nonetheless.

I wouldn't want to see a ballet set to this, but that's more an issue with ballet than jazz

final rating 7/10 good but not my thing y'know

Best jazz record so far which is a low bar but this is the first one I've enjoyed.

Well that was a bit of a change after listening to Muse. Considering what I usually think of jazz, I didn’t mind this. Maybe because I was busy and it was just background. But it will never be my music of choice.

I am not a jazz guy, but I enjoyed the impressive playing and composition.

Bit too avant-garde for my tastes, but I hear the talent. Prefer “Mingus Ah Um”

Not sure what to make of this one. Quite a cacophony at some parts. As for jazz it is pretty interesting and definetly something I want to spend more time digging in and listening. This one needs some time to appreciate.

Don’t really care for jazz, but some of that was quite nice

Enjoyable. Sort of low rating because I would never really know the difference between good and great jazz music.

Good vibes for studying.

Well, that was a lot. The whole album moves like a parade falling down a staircase; graceful chaos, and horns clashing like they’re mad at each other. It’s dramatic, intense, and clearly smart as hell, but holy smokes, can someone let the piano breathe? It felt like every instrument was fighting for the last word in an argument. That said, I get why it's on the list. It’s a jazz opera on too much coffee. Glad it was short! Like me! Spins: 2 Playlist Additions: - Track A - Track C

Feels like you've gotta really invest the time into listening to this with intent. It's "experimental", but some how it feels foundational.

This was nice, but not really anything that excited me. It's less weird than some of the other jazz that's come up on this list. I could imagine this as a film score. Good background music, but didn't really make me feel anything

What an odd combination.

Good for what it is, and I'm sure a very important entry in its genre. Not my cup of tea, but not a bad listen.

Not my cup of tea.

Sehr jazzig 😅

bweeep

Jazz is nice but it needs more plays before I make up my mind.

Smoother Jazz zum Hören bei der Arbeit. Mir fehlte aber ein wenig das Alleinstellungsmerkmal, um diesem Album 4 oder gar 5 Sterne zu geben.

Mingus is a genius. Just not my kind of genius. Feel bad about this rating

just not my favorite from mingus and i know there are way better jazz albums coming

frekar flókið. margar stefnur líta við. aðra? 3,5.

Musically interesting, but not too catchy or “important”

ok 7/10

I really don't get the insane hatred for jazz music but then again, I'm sure some people feel the same way about my deep, firey resentment for country music or pop punk. This was a fine album, I like a bit of jazz on an evening on the weekend with some nice wine and a comfy sofa. And this album definitely fits the mould for that. That being said, I'm not an expert in jazz, I really just put it on for background music when I want something smooth and inoffensive to play whilst I chill, and that's really all I know jazz for. Background music. But this is quite nice background music by any accord, so I'll give it a 3.

Pleasant jazz

Wasn’t bad. Jazz is new to me. Excited to get more. Probably worth a higher rating then I’m gonna give it.

Wouldn’t say this is bad but nothing resonated with me, could listen to this in background but wouldn’t actively choose it. Still hoping for a jazz album that will make sense to me.

THINKIN: Jazzy horns. PERSONALLY: Still not a Jazz guy but I love his hat. ALT TITLE: The Black Lady and the Sinner Saint

I enjoyed having this on as I was getting ready for work.

Good? Dunno but I didn’t hate it like most jazz

Some interesting stuff going on here and in part quite enjoyable.

Bingus

Groovy

I don't think I've ever heard of Charles Mingus before. Granted, I'm not very well versed when it comes to jazz music, so take that with a grain of salt. I haven't found a jazz album on this list that really resonates with me yet, but I'm hoping that this will be the first one! I didn't enjoy this in the way that I was hoping to, but this was still a fine album. I did enjoy the brass and reed instrument arrangements on this album, and this album felt to me as if those instruments were what drove the overall sound. The double bass playing was really good too, but my favorite part was the flute playing on Track C. That flute arrangement was absolutely fantastic, and I was delighted when it popped back up on the medley on the second side of the album. Other than that, I don't have much to say on this album, but it was a nice listening experience overall.

Lots of jazz. And I love jazz. But this jazz is a little stressful!

Lively.

Very unsettling jazz. It's different from your typical jazz records. But pretty cool.

-ok so this was a very interesting album bc no singing -idt i would relisten to it but it was interesting to listen to once -it had some funky random changes which surprised me sometimes

5/10

All that jazz. The morning commute wasn't a great spot to give this album what it probably needed. I'm not a jazz guy so this wasn't my cup of tea.

I don't like jazz. But I like the occasional avant garde music mixed with classical and folk. This is a record to listen concentrated and analyze all the elements that play there.

6/10 Funny one this, lots of contradictions. Old fashioned and avant garde Trumpet that was both silly and cool Really melodic and really difficult I liked it and didn’t like it Best: Track B

Jazz

Dieses Album ist ein monumentales Beispiel für die kreative Kraft des Jazz. Mit seiner Mischung aus Komplexität, Intensität und Innovation bleibt es ein unverzichtbarer Klassiker, der sowohl für Jazz-Liebhaber als auch für Neueinsteiger eine lohnenswerte Entdeckung ist.

There were definitely a lot of ummm... choices... that were made

I like quite a bit of jazz. This isn't great for me. That's just a stylistic preference. It's a really good album. If you're into that kind of freeform music for the night and then it's perfect.

Buen disco de jazz teniendo en cuenta el año de grabación.

Verry artfull jazz album. If you have time enough to listen carefully, its wonderfull. Maybe somthing for specialists.

Enjoyed this. Reminded me a bit of some of the jazz in the Andy Griffith Show?

Torn on this album. This kind of jazz is not really my taste. All notes playing everything different. But in my mind this works great as a visual trip by just using the name of the album, song titles and music to fill in the blanks. If there was an accompanying film then I would be able to really appreciate it more. Another note is that there are some great rhythms in here that could be sampled.

mingus

3.4

not really my type of jazz but still nice

100% jazz

A little jazz is nice in the winter

Solid Jazz album. A bit disjointed at the start, but that’s kind of to be expected from jazz. The later songs made me feel like I was watching an old timey black & white detective movie, where the smoke show blonde walks in on the half drunk private eye pleading him to take her case then he mumbles something about not working for no dames before an inner monologue starts in about how he needs the money to pay off Franky Fingers or some shit. 🕵🏻‍♂️💃🥃

I can't stand Jazz...unfortunately (for me)...it was a bit of a torture to listen the full album...

Good but more jazzy than I like

I’m not a big fan of jazz

Puh

Jazz halt

Didn’t love it but certainly appreciated it.

I am surprised that I didn't know him as well as his contemporaries such as Duke Ellington, and Charlie Parker. Great album.

Still don't love jazz, but it was alright.

its good, but it's a little chaotic for me. perhaps with multiple listens it would settle in.

Not my thing but it was good for what it was

Not the biggest jazz fan BUT this was quite nice, especially the last track and knowing that it was composed for a ballet.

Not really my preferred style of jazz but interesting enough.

Always been a fan

Too much jazz for me

I think I've come to realise that jazz albums just aren't going to get above a 4. Sorry. This is good. Like experimental jazz good. But it's not so aligned with my own enjoyment buttons that I can really truly love it.

Aw hall nah prog jazz??

Blind album and artist. Didn't hate it. Want ecstatic about it. It's jazz to me.

Meh

The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady is an experimental jazz composition from the 60s. Interesting uses of the instruments here - for example, sometimes the brass sounds like it's trying to imitate speech or vocals. I didn't get a whole lot of mileage out of it, but it's clearly quite good.

dying elephant music

Buns

I'm a fan of most Jazz, but I'm not sure about Charles Mingus? The music is intense and unsettled me at times and made my brain feel crazily dizzy and confused that was on the brink of trying my patience. To listen to long tracks, I need to be in a proper state of mind and this free expressive jazz, though incredibly mesmerizing, had me feeling this music is way out of my league and I definitely don't understand it the way I should. Glad I listened and will be back after I educate myself with more jazz basics.

jazz. innocuo.

This is heavy music--there's a lot going on here, and I don't think this is a jazz album to drop in the middle of a broader range of styles and say, "Here, this one is one of the best." It may be, but it's for hardcore jazzheads. I think "Mingus Ah Um" or "Mingus Plays Piano" is better for the general listener to get familiar with Mingus. This would be better suited for "1001 Jazz Albums To Hear Before You Die." Great album? Probably. Over my head? Definitely. 3/5, just because our esteemed editors haven't read the room. Including this album is just pretentious or lazy; not sure which. 3⭐️

Jazz all sounds like one long elevator song to me. But this one was alright background.

I found this fairly compelling, as jazz goes. It's got a good chaotic energy that elevates it above background music and a broad range of sounds I wasn't expecting - sleazy downtown club vibes, vaudeville style flute, even flamenco guitar. Plus it seems there might be some kind of narrative that runs through it...? So, high marks for scope and ambition. For all that it's not something I can see myself revisiting.

not the biggest jazz fan but if i was listening to this and sipping a g+t at a bar, this would be a vibe

The Spanish guitar is very spicy. Wonderful music to work to. The horns are fierce too. Fav Track: Medley: Mode D-Trio and Group Dancers/Mode E-Single Solos and Group Dance/ModeF-Group and Solo Dance

220/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑

# Playlist track - Track A - Solo Dancer # Notes - This is hard to hear. It commands so much attention, and it keeps surprising you, bringing something new and changing course in the last minute. All the time! - You can either take that as a positive or a negative, but this is one hell of a ride. It was a bit exhausting to me, personally, especially the last track, that clocks out at almost 20 minutes. - An interesting experience, but one that I won't repeat soon.

Decent. Pleased I listened to it, I wouldn’t have done without your suggestion.

Experimental jazz that isn’t outright cacophonous. I probably owe this at least one more listen.

I like Jazz, love jazz, and this is supposed to be “the” greatest Jazz - but it left me feeling a little disjointed.

Considering I don’t really like jazz this was pretty nice. Especially liked the end of track C and the repeated motifs throughout the album.

Pretty enjoyable as a modern jazz album, not really sure why they chose this one over any of his others but not bad

Some wild jazz

a 3 1/2, pleasant listen that alludes mood and melancoly.

Not bad. I was picturing a bunch of ballerina doing there own interpretive dance to this and it being rather chaotic, while Lee Marvin runs around the stage in a panic dressed like a 1930s P.I. Come to think of it, I'd probably watch that movie.

jazzy

I usually like jazz, but this just sounds like a bunch of noise

i'm not going to sit here and pretend like mr. mingus isn't extremely talented. this is clearly an expert musician with a well-honed craft. but once again we must return to how i personally felt about it. it felt like i was being chased by the physical manifestation of anxiety through a haunted forest. 40 minutes of stress. if that was the intention, he succeeded wildly. but for lil ol' me just trying to do my Spreadsheet Job, it was unpleasant. i did like the spanish guitar tho.

Like every great jazz album, it goes from moments of 5/5 to 1/5 at a second’s notice.

ZAH GUH !!!! This is probably his most traditional sounding record, but it is still so unique to jazz particularly when you think this is only 10 years after World War II. I can’t explain how why Mingus had such a profound effect on rock ‘n’ roll but He did and he still does.

Solid, probably sampled 1000 times

This is the brassiest brass to ever brass. Track c is my favorite. Chaotic and fast but great. The instruments sing in an almost human voice. Dagnabbit.

BLÖSER finds tönt mega mit dene schleppende blöser undem schnelle schlagzüg mitem bass track b het sochli atonali element (nenntmer das so? es tönt eifach amigs extra "falsch") take c chli wilder ala de rest bis jz tibiheitsch chani nöd mega vill dezue sege, ussert dass ichs eig easy gnosse han, wills au immer wieder öppis neus geh het, mengisch schön aber au sehr hüfig sehr unhinged

this flew way over my head. very discordant material, but purposefully, skillfully.

I appreciate the artistry, but there was too much chaos and dissonance for me to actually enjoy it as a whole.

Interesting. Not a huge jazz fan, but this seemed pretty experimental.

Solid jazz album.

Conjured up thoughts of strip clubs. Classy ones, not too seedy. All a bit much for a Monday morning.

Deze lijst zorgt voor veel aangename kennismakingen met het jazz-genre de laatste tijd. Ditmaal het meesterwerk van Charles Mingus. Gelukkig een betere productie dan de live-jazz-albums die toch ook veelvuldig terugkomen hier. Dit is het betere jazz wat ik echt goed kan waarderen. Ik blijf het een lastig en taai genre vinden, dus kan hier niet te hyped op reageren. Maar behoort tot het betere van wat tot nu toe is langsgekomen! 7/10 Highlights Track C