A superb and under-recognized recording,
Crisis is one-third of a trilogy of extraordinary albums -- the others being
Broken Shadows and
Science Fiction -- by
Coleman's small groups of the late '60s and early '70s. A rendition of the piece
"Broken Shadows" itself, a dirge of astonishing beauty second only to his
"Lonely Woman," opens the live performance and offers solos of deep and poignant probity from
Coleman and tenorist
Dewey Redman, whose earthy growled tones counterbalanced the leader's so well for so long.
"Comme Il Faut," with its own plaintive melodic thrust, provides the base elements from which
Charlie Haden excavates gold, setting the stage for his own classic composition
"Song for Che," which is given one of its very finest readings.
Don Cherry is in wonderful, sandblasting form throughout, bringing in thematic material from his own recent investigations into Indian and African music, and
Coleman's son,
Ornette Denardo, has audibly matured both in technical prowess and comfort level.
Crisis somehow lacks the reputation of the revolutionary
Coleman albums from early in his career, but on purely musical grounds it ranks among his most satisfying works. ~ Brian Olewnick
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