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The Clown
From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work
The Clown was released in September 1957 on Atlantic Records. It was recorded on 13 February and 12 March of that year. Mingus said he chose these four pieces because some musicians said he did not swing. He therefore made pieces that did, and recorded a blues for the first time.
The album is best known for its title piece. In it the radio presenter Jean Shepherd tells a story about a clown who wants to please everyone and is only appreciated once he is dead. Shepherd improvised his text and changed the ending, so that the listener is left to fill in more for themselves. Mingus had the musicians overdub parts, because the piece plays in several keys at once. He wrote Reincarnation of a Lovebird for Charlie Parker. In Haitian Fight Song, according to Mingus, sorrow and determination come through.
Listening
Track list
- 1Haitian Fight Song12:02Apple Music ↗
- 2Blue Cee7:52Apple Music ↗
- 3Reincarnation of a Lovebird8:32Apple Music ↗
- 4The Clown12:09Apple Music ↗
- 5Passions of a Man4:52Apple Music ↗
- 6Tonight At Noon5:00Apple Music ↗
30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗