Carla Bley

Synopsis

Pianist and composer Carla Bley joins Alyn Shipton to choose her essential records, from the jazz opera Escalator Over the Hill via her various big bands, to her current small groups.

Playlist:

DISC 1
Title: Detective Writer Daughter
Artist: Carla Bley/Paul Haines
Composer: Bley
Album: Escalator Over The Hill
Label: JCOA /ECM
Number 839 310-2 CD 1 Tr 13
Personnel: Jack Bruce/Carla Bley (vocals), Viva (narration), John McLaughlin (guitar), Michael Mantler (trumpet), Sharon Freeman (French horn), Roswell Rudd (trombone), Jack Jeffers (bass trombone), John Buckingham (tuba), Jimmy Lyons (alto saxophone), Gato Barbieri (tenor saxophone), Chris Woods (baritone), Carla Bley (piano), Charlie Haden (bass), Paul Motian (drums). 1968-71

DISC 2
Title: Walking Batteriewoman
Artist: Carla Bley Band
Composer: Bley
Album: Social Studies
Label: Watt
Number 11 Tr 6
Personnel: Michael Mantler (trombone), Carlos Ward (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone), Tony Dagradi (tenor saxophone, clarinet), Gary Valente (trombone), Joe Daley (euphonium), Earl McIntyre (tuba), Carla Bley (organ), Steve Swallow (bass), D Sharpe (drums). Dec 1980

DISC 3
Title: More Brahms
Artist: Carla Bley Sextet
Composer: Bley
Album: Sextet
Label: Watt
Number 17 Tr 1
Personnel: Carla Bley (organ), Hiram Bullock (guitar), Larry Willis (piano), Steve Swallow (bass), Victor Lewis (drums), Don Alias (percussion, drums. Dec 1986

DISC 4
Title: Fleur Carnivore
Artist: Big Carla Bley Band
Composer: Bley
Album: Fleur Carnivore
Label: Watt
Number 21 Tr 1
Personnel: Lew Soloff, Jens Winther (trumpets), Frank Lacy (French horn), Gary Valente (trombone), Bob Stewart (tuba), Daniel Baussier (oboe, flute), Wolfgang Pushnig (alto saxophone), Andy Sheppard (tenor saxophone), Cristof Lauer (tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone), Roberto Ottini (baritone saxophone, soprano saxophone) Karen Mantler (harmonica, organ, vibraphone), Carla Bley (piano), Steve Swallow (bass), Buddy Williams (drums), Don Alias (percussion. 14 Nov 1988 (Live at Montmartre, Copenhagen)

DISC 5
Title: One Way
Artist: Carla Bley Big Band
Composer: Bley
Album: Goes To Church
Label: Watt
Number 27 Tr 3
Personnel: Carla Bley (piano), Roger Jannotta (soprano and alto saxophones, flute), Wolfgang Puschnig (alto saxophone), Andy Sheppard, Jerry Underwood (tenor saxophones), Julian Arguelles (baritone saxophone), Lew Soloff, Guy Barker, Claude
Deppa (trumpets), Gary Valente, Pete Beachill, Chris Dean (trombones); Richard Henry (bass trombone), Karen Mantler (harmonica, organ), Steve Swallow (bass), Dennis Mackrel (drums).
Soloists: Andy Sheppard, Gary Valente

DISC 6
Title: End of Vienna
Artist: Carla Bley
Composer: Bley
Album: Fancy Chamber Music
Label: Watt
Number 28 Tr 3
Personnel: Carla Bley (piano), Andrew Byrt (viola), Steve Morris (violin), Emma Black (cello), Steve Swallow (bass), Alison Hayhurst (flute), Sara Lee (cello), Chris Wells (percussion). Rec Dec 1997

DISC 7
Title: Major
Artist: Carla Bley/Steve Swallow
Composer: Bley
Album: Are We There Yet?
Label: Watt
Number 29 Tr 3
Personnel: Carla Bley (piano), Steve Swallow (bass)

DISC 8
Title: Sidewinders In Paradise
Artist: Carla Bley 4 x 4
Composer: Bley
Album: 4 x 4
Label: Watt
Number 30 Tr 2
Personnel: Lew Soloff (trumpet), Wolfgang Puschnig (flute, alto saxophone), Andy Sheppard (tenor saxophone), Gary Valente (trombone), Carla Bley (piano), Larry Goldings (organ), Steve Swallow (bass), Victor Lewis (drums).

DISC 9
Title: I Hadn't Anyone Til You
Artist: Carla Bley Big Band
Composer: Noble
Album: Appearing Nightly
Label: Watt
Number 33 Tr 5
Personnel: Earl Gadner, Lew Soloff, Giampaulo Casati Florian Eisch (trumpets), Beppe Calmosca, Gary Valente, Gigi Grata, Richard Henry (trombones), Roger Jannetta, Wolfgang Puschnig, Andy Sheppard, Christophe Panzane, JUlian Arguelles (reeds), Carla Bley (piano), Katen Mantler (organ), Steve Swallow (bass), Billy Drummond (drums). Paris, July 2006

DISC 10
Title: Hell's Bells
Artist: Carla Bley
Composer: Carle Bley
Album: CARLA'S CHRISTMAS CAROLS
Label: WATT/ECM
Number 271 2413 Tr 8
Personnel: Carla Bley (piano, organ), Steve Swallow (bass) and The Partyka Brass Quintet.

Broadcast

1. Sat 19 Sep 2009
   16:00
   BBC Radio 3