A Jazz Supernova:
Prepare Thyself For A Miracle


Rahsaan Roland Kirk-
Live In France 1972

Seeing Rahsaan Roland Kirk live was a completely different experience from listening to his music on record. It was an overwhelming and joyous event, not because he would play two and three reed instruments simultaneously which he did with amazing skill and very music results, but because he was living encyclopedia of jazz and all types of music just poured out of him like a gusher. He was an ever-thinking force of energy who swept the audience up into his orbit.

This 1972 concert with the excellent support of Rahn Burton, Henry Pearson, Richie Goldberg and Joe Habao Texidor is a perfect example. Kirk begins this journey with John Coltrane's Blue Train, then shifts into Lester Leaps In, followed by a stunning two-horn solo extrapolation on Satin Doll. The 73-minute performance ends poignantly with two of his most celebrated and powerful compositions: Volunteered Slavery and The Inflated Tear.

When I was about 14 years old, I wrote Roland Kirk a fan letter. I was fascinated by his odd, antique saxophones and his ability to play three of them together. After a return letter from Roland's wife, I began going down to see him at the Five Spot on St. Marks Place and spend afternoons in his Central Park West apartment. As much as I treasured those afternoon tutorials with his impressive record collection, it was the nights at The Five Spot that are burned into my mind. Roland was fluent in all things music; there was no time lapse between what came into his quick, creative mind and what came out of his array of saxophones, flutes and noise makers. Watching him play Mood Indigo on three saxophones was as musical as it was extraordinary, but hearing him wail on tenor sax, steeped in the traditions of Don Byas and Johnny Griffin were just as amazing. Every set he played was an adventure for him as well as the audience.
- Michael Cuscuna

Rahsaan Roland Kirk-Tenor Sax, Manzello, Stritch, Clarinet, Castinets, Vocals, Various flutes and whistles
Ron Burton-Piano
Henry Pearson-Bass
Joe Texidor -Percussion
Richie Goldberg-Drums

Grand Palais, Paris, France, March 8, 1972
1. Blue Train
2. Lester Leaps In
3. Satin Doll (Medley)
4. For Bechet And Ellington And Bigard and Carney And Rabbit
5. My Cherie Amour
6. One Mind Winter/Summer (Seasons)
7. Groovin High
8. Soul Eyes
9. Volunteered Slavery
10. Inflated Tear





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