Down in Louisiana, Marva Wright was called the Blues Queen. Fans of her energy-filled performances, both live and recorded, called her a lot of other things, too, like "Marvalous Marva." The "bluesiana" numbers she favored were a strong showcase for her dynamic, gospel-rooted voice. One listen would be enough to convince any newcomer of her strengths, which was surprising in light of the fact that the vocalist was a late bloomer who didn't turn professional until 1987, when she was creeping up on 40. Even then, she only began singing as a way to support her family with a second job. Bourbon Street in the Big Easy led to more than she had dreamed, ultimately landing her gigs in Europe and across the world, with stops in France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Russia, Norway, Sweden, and Brazil. Her appearances in the U.S. included Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York, as well as Texas, California, Vermont, Colorado, and Florida.
Frank Wright, childhood friend of the Ayler brothers, started out (musically speaking) as an R&B bassist, but was convinced by Albert Ayler to switch to tenor sax. He came to be the epitome of the free jazz tenorman, a hard blower whose intensity and "preaching" style earned him the nickname "The Reverend" and the undying respect of the style's connoisseurs. Given the Ayler connection, it's not surprising that he started his recording career as a leader on ESP-Disk' with the two albums compiled here in their entirety, 1965's Frank Wright Trio and 1967's Your Prayer (and, for the first time in this 2005 edition, supplemented by context-providing interview material). Note that the title would more accurately be The Complete Studio ESP Recordings; the 1974 concert recording Unity, issued by ESP in 2006, is not included here. The unrelenting fervor of Wright's playing on these LPs are a wonder of nature.
It's well known that throughout the 20th century, fed up with poor working conditions and racism in their home country, many American jazz musicians chose to leave the US in order to live and work in Europe. What's less well known is how their music developed and evolved during their time on the continent, and how the experience of being a musician in Europe was to shape their lives.
Features 24bit digital remastering. Comes with a description. Recorded in New York, New York on April 23, 1962. Originally released on Atlantic (1393). Includes liner notes by Gary Kramer. Digitally remastered by Gene Paul (DB Plus, New York, New York). More driving than "Blues Shout," it was recorded with Kenny Burrell (g).