James Blood Ulmer Live Experience - Crying (James Blood Ulmer)
From the album "Live at the Bayerischer Hof" (1994)Label: In+Out Records
James Blood Ulmer's website: myspace.com/jamesbloodulmer
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In his youth, James Blood Ulmer was very much attracted by local gospel, country and blues groups. By 17, he was working in Pittsburgh with rock and roll bands. He spent 10 years playing in jazz-funk line-ups and worked with organist Hank Marr. By 1968, James ‘Blood’ Ulmer was in Detroit and already experimenting with the innovative, if abrasive, style for which he would become noted in the 80’s. Moving to New York in 1971, his work with ex-Coltrane drummer Rashied Ali in „Rashied Ali Quintet“, caught Ornette Coleman’s ear, and he became a student of this legendary musician. Ornette Coleman called Ulmer a „natural harmolodic player“ and thus began their decade-long association.
During the 70’s, his work diversified. He performed in the Cal Massey/Archie Shepp musical „Lady Day“ at Brooklyn Academy of Music, worked with Paul Bley, played at Carnegie Hall with Coleman and recorded with Joe Henderson, Larry Young and Arthur Blythe.
James Blood Ulmer is often compared to Jimi Hendrix. Similarities consist in the completely new languages developed on the guitar. Especially the new wave and punk movement brought musicians like James Blood Ulmer to the attention of a wider audience.
Crying is simply a wonderful live recording by James Ulmer where the atmosphere flows out of the speakers. It’s an extremely dynamic recording and especially the rhythm section with the drums and the bass guitar stands out very precisely. It’s an example of a live recording with dynamics and clarity as keywords.
