Notes on Ornette

Reception

All About Jazz said "Bley, at times, can be a brooding musician, although the more carefree exuberance of be-bop is not a foreign concept to him. Here with Notes on Ornette, the darker aspects of Bley’s musical personality suits the pointed and slightly melancholy nature of Coleman’s work... Another fine item to be added to Bley’s list of SteepleChase classics, this set not only speaks to this trio’s collective veracity but also to Coleman’s enduring genius as a writer. In fact, I’m sure the composer would be proud". JazzTimes observed "There have been so many Bley records over the last 20-odd years that only diehards try to keep up with all of them, but anyone who has ever enjoyed the pianist should seek out Notes on Ornette. Bley still enjoys throwing seemingly unrelated bits of improvised melody together, but here he often goes to the other extreme, spinning out lines that seem endless in which a few simple ideas continually transmogrify".

Track listing

All compositions by Ornette Coleman except as indicated

1. "Turnaround" - 12:06
2. "Lorraine" - 10:03
3. "Crossroads" - 5:51
4. "When Will The Blues Leave" - 6:43
5. "Compassion" - 9:34
6. "Rejoicing" - 10:38
7. "Aarp" (Paul Bley) - 5:54

Personnel