I HATE TO SING

Fans of Carla Bley's album released as "Nick Mason's Fictitious Sports" should enjoy this album. It has a similar tongue in cheek humor style, and while it is somewhat jazzier and less rock, it still has some great music.

Half was recorded live in concert, the other half live in a studio, much of the album showcases the band's ...errrr... singing ability.

The LP (yes, I only have the record - the CD apparently has extra material) begins with Bley herself singing about her impending Murder (don't worry, the police save her). The song is creepy and spooky, with an intentionally silly overblown ending. Pianist Arturo O'Farrill get to sing about wanting a vocal part that isn't Very Very Simple. It's a great song, but worth it for the drum solo alone. Then, drummer D. Sharpe gets to tell us that I Hate To Sing. It's priceless.

Side two is mostly instrumental, with The Piano Lesson, which builds from the band warming up into a raucus work made up of scales and etudes. The Lone Arranger follows, a loping piece depicting the American west. And Battleship, a wonderful work of progressive big band closes out the album.

While this album is just barely fusion, it is fantastic.