Up Popped The Devil
Mal Waldron
Up Popped The Devil
Recorded December 28, 1973 Up Popped The Devil has popped to the top of my list of “holy shit this is an amazing record” records. Mal Waldron piano, Reggie Workman bass , Billy Higgins drums and Carla Poole flute on “Space Walk” everyone is so on on this record time stands still or better still moves within their time as your mind tingles with delight over every players every move.
This music is immediately engrossing and while solo moments are intensely focused, I begin to miss the interplay which adds an exquisite tension throughout – what’s next? On some level this is minimal music-making – Mal Waldron introduces the theme, they depart, riff, return and repeat. But that journey can bring to mind places, spaces and memories as vast as your imagination and bring a momentary smile to your face or a sudden and unexpected tug at your heart. Which is to say this is very personal stuff – quiet, dark and intense. Searingly intimate deeply moving music-making.
on August 21st, 2010 at 9:33 pm
I love this album — it turned me on to Waldron. After listening to it, I started on a frenzy of buying everything I could find of his. I’ve yet to listen to all of the albums I’ve accumulated. There are tons of stuff out on Enja.
Waldron’s playing is generally minimal and very much rhythm and “riff” focussed. When he attempts standards, it just sounds weird. I much prefer his own stuff.
Do you like his duos with Steve Lacy? These albums are more demanding but I am sure they reward close listening.
on August 22nd, 2010 at 8:51 am
I don’t have any of the Waldron / Lacy LPs but they’re on ‘the list’. The Quest was my intro and it remains a fav.
Mal Waldron was Billie Holiday’s regular accompanist for her last few years which is kinda fascinating…
on August 22nd, 2010 at 6:05 pm
Funny how The Quest was Waldron’s record before Prestige re-issued it under Dolphy’s name. Typical Prestige, actually. Anyway, there’s lots more Waldron on Prestige, including a two-fer which probably isn’t hard to find. Mal One and Two, with John Coltrane, Jackie McLean, Idrees Sulieman, Sahib Shibab, Gigi Gryce……….. Really good arrangements, and great bands. The single albums are also easy to find, as Japanese re-issues.
I think Enja was pretty overlooked when they were releasing records. So there’s still time!
on August 22nd, 2010 at 6:15 pm
Mal is the man.
on August 22nd, 2010 at 8:29 pm
Can’t get nuffin’ past you, boss. Sheesh……
on August 23rd, 2010 at 2:01 am
Try looking for the trio albums by Mal out on Prestige. Very interesting music for its time. Or ahead of its time I should say, like Paul Bley’s and Don Friedman’s trios from the 1950-60s.