New Grass

New Grass is a 1968 album by jazz saxophonist Albert Ayler released on Impulse! Records.[1]

This article is about Albert Ayler's 1968 jazz album. For the Talk Talk song, see Laughing Stock (album).
New Grass
Studio album by
Albert Ayler
Released1968
RecordedSeptember 5–6, 1968
GenreJazz
Length33:09
LabelImpulse!
MCA (reissue)
ProducerBob Thiele
Albert Ayler chronology
Love Cry
(1967)		 New Grass
(1968)		 Music Is the Healing Force of the Universe
(1969)

The album mixed Ayler's familiar tenor saxophone playing with elements from R&B and other genres, including a soul horn section, backing singers, and rock electric bass. There are even some tracks where Ayler sings.[2]

The album was remastered and re-released by Third Man Records in 2020.[2]

Reception

It met a hostile reception from fans and critics alike on its release, with many accusing Ayler of "selling out". Larry Neal wrote: "lately Albert's music seems to be motivated by forces that are not at all compatible with his genius. There is even a strong hint that the brother is being manipulated by Impulse records. Or is it merely the selfish desire for popularity in the american sense?... At any rate, this album is a failure... the direct confrontation with experience as lived by the artist himself is not there."[3] AllMusic Guide's Al Campbell nevertheless calls the album "misunderstood", speculating that Impulse had encouraged Ayler to go in a more commercial direction, and he had willingly acquiesced.[1] However, according to Gary Giddins, "In interviews, Ayler left no doubt about who was responsible for New Grass: 'They told me to do this. Bob Thiele. You think I would do that? He said, "Look Albert, you gotta get with the young generation now."'"[4]

Ayler was hurt by the negative reaction to the album. He responded: "You have to make changes in life just like dying and being born again, artistically speaking. You become very young again through this process, then you grow up, and listen and grow young again."[5]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide[6]
Pitchfork[2]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings[7]

Track listing
  1. "Message From Albert/New Grass" (Albert Ayler, Bert de Coteaux) – 3:53
  2. "New Generation" (Ayler, Rose Marie McCoy, Mary Maria Parks – 5:06
  3. "Sun Watcher" (Ayler, Robin Syler) – 7:29
  4. "New Ghosts" (Ayler, Parks) – 4:10
  5. "Heart Love" (Ayler, Parks) – 5:32
  6. "Everybody's Movin'" (Ayler, McCoy, Parks) – 3:43
  7. "Free At Last" (Ayler, McCoy, Parks) – 3:08

Personnel

Performance

Production

References
  1. Campbell, Al. "New Grass - Albert Ayler". Allmusic. All Media Guide. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
  2. Thomas, Fred (June 30, 2020). "Albert Ayler - New Grass". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  3. Neal, Larry. Baraka, Imamu; Spellman, A. B.; Neal, Larry (eds.). "New Grass / Albert Ayler". The Cricket. No. 4. pp. 37–38. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  4. Giddins, Gary (2008). Natural Selection: Gary Giddins on Comedy, Film, Music, and Books. Oxford University Press. p. 286.
  5. Wilmer, Val (2018). As Serious As Your Life. Serpent's Tail. p. 143.
  6. Swenson, J., ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. p. 7. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.
  7. Cook, Richard; Brian Morton (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings. The Penguin Guide to Jazz (9th ed.). London: Penguin. p. 54. ISBN 978-0-14-103401-0.
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