The Great Concert of Eric Dolphy

AMG Review of The Great Concert of Eric Dolphy

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

For two weeks, the multi-instrumentalist (alto, flute, and bass clarinet) Eric Dolphy appeared at the Five Spot in New York with a quintet comprised of trumpeter Booker Little (who would pass away before the year ended), pianist Mal Waldron, bassist Richard Davis, and drummer Ed Blackwell. One night, July 16, 1961, was fully recorded and the results released on three LPs. This three-LP box set contains all of the music, and despite an out-of-tune piano, the results are consistently brilliant. The seven selections (all over 12 minutes long with "The Prophet" going on for over 21) give the principles plenty of space in which to stretch out, and the long improvisations consistently hold one's interest. All of the material (except the standard "Like Someone in Love") was composed by Dolphy, Little, or Waldron. Classic and adventurous music.