Ornette Coleman Music

this is a symphonic work composed by a jazz artist in the american symphonic tradition of charles ives and aaron copeland. where most symphonic composers include folk songs within their compositions, coleman in his skies includes references from his own previous work, most recognizibly is the theme from dancing in your head.

he makes evident he's a jazz artist by playing his alto, the first time in the composition, in the aptly entitled, the artist in america.

place in space is the quintessential theme for all space travel, actual and cinematic.

the men who live in the white house is a piece for solo alto sax, a tribute to the holders of america's highest office, metaphorically: a position high as the sky, one more american sky.

this is a marvelous piece of work, a great accomplishment. would that this symphonic work were performed more in concert halls.

Back in the days immediately after the attacks of 9/11, National Public Radio began asking well known musical types what music they thought Americans should be listening to. They never got around to asking me, but this was my choice. It still is.

Skies of America is a very moving, very poignant, powerful work for symphony orchestra with solo interludes on this recording from Ornette. The hustle and bustle of daily life in America, as portrayed by the winds and percussion, contrasted by the ethereal, eternal nature of the skies above, as portrayed by the strings, brings tears to my eyes every time I listen to this album. The work as a whole is broken down into titled sections. Those with titles like "The Military" or "The Silver Screen" can sound chaotic, aggressive and confounding. Other sections like "Birthdays and Funerals", "Love Life" or "Sunday in America" feature music for strings that is simply breathtaking in its beauty. I find it difficult not to be affected by music of such a strong, emotional character.

It's a scandal that Ornette has never been recognized as a symphonic composer. Skies of America really belongs in modern classical repertoire. It eloquently speaks of a love for country far beyond the sort of militaristic nationalism we see all too often in public life.

It fits, too. Unease. Dissonance. Not very light. Dangerous. Occasionally grating. Hints of beauty that you have to work for. Pay attention to what's going on; see the grandeur and the gorgeousness under the surface. Ultimately, it's all worth it. It's a commentary ahead of its time. Reason enough to listen. Please do.

Some reviewer said that people fled the store where they played this great record while complaining about the racket...of course they did. This is not music to play while you are shopping (even if it's shopping at a record store). This is music to be appreciated in an ambience of tranquility and peace so you can really focus and inmerse your self deep within it's complex harmonic and melodic twists and turns. Excellent and highly recommended to those who stayed in the store.

This music is very dense. Some coworkers put this on in a record store during the last week we were open; people fled the store complaining about the racket!
I am not a fan of jazz; I do not understand this music. But while listening to it, one begins to feel a huge picture taking shape. I would recommend this as a challenge to the ears, but not for any musical quality.
I commented to the guy who put this on; "I don't think I understand what is happening in this music."
He replied,"The musicians aren't sure what's happening. That's part of the point."
3 stars because the music is awesome; but i still don't get it....

This is not one of the CD's that tends to come up when you talk about Ornette Coleman's best work, but I think it may be. I picked this up when it was re-released, and I probably listen to it more than anything else I own by Ornette. He and Charlie Haden had already been working together for almost 20 years, and the result is one of the great duet albums of all time. In addition, this is some of the most melodic, accessible music the two ever recorded. It's still not easy listening, and probably not for the casual jazz listener, but if you're an Ornette fan, this is a key work, and you need it.

This is a WONDERFUL (albeit impossible to find) CD. Its been out of print for some years now and it does not look as if its coming back anytime soon. "Soapsuds Soapsuds" represents an anomaly in the work of Ornette. As a collection of duets with long time bass player Charlie Haden it is a great example of Ornette at his "contemplative" best. It is pure joy to hear him in such an intimate setting! To bad it is so difficult to find. I searched for over a year before I finally found a copy right here on Amazon! But it was worth the search. This is one that Verve shoud seriously consider as a worthy candidate for re-issue!

ornette and haden offer a supreme example of beauty. this is so good buy 2 copies. well done you guys!

This recording is intense. It really shows the profound musical chemistry of theses two influential creative artists. Both Ornette and Charlie Haden are at the top of their musical powers. There is an incredible focus of all their musical ideas in this recording.

Soapsuds Soapsuds is the best jazz duet album I've heard. All of the tracks on this recording speak directly to the listener. It takes Ornette's harmelodic concepts to an incredibly intense, yet introspective level.

This is some of Ornette's and Charlie Haden's best and most heart wrenching, poigniant playing - listen especially to Sex Spy and Mary Harman, Mary Hartman

This recording was from Artist's House and represents ORnette taking control of all aspects of the music creation process - putting up the factory and owning the job. AS such, the recording was technically excellent

Buy it!...if you're a musician, learn the tunes...