Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

7.

Albert Ayler – Spiritual Unity

One of the king influences on my vocal style and vibrato. I would sing those pieces a great deal and still do now. My version of ‘All The Way’ is extremely influenced by ‘Spirits Rejoice’. He is still throttled today by many of the so-called "jazz" critics.

The sound is extremely vocal and has been imitated so much that he is now rarely credited with it. Not coincidentally, Patty Waters, whose rendition of ‘Black Is the Color of My True Love’s Hair’ was a peer, and they shared the great Burton Greene, unsung hero of the new jazz.

Man, just not exotic enough. What a load of unmusical disinterest. Too bad the downbeat blindfold test was not applied onstage. Boy, would there be some serious surprises to the Crouch-imposed color-line.

Generally all humans have red blood, although I have heard that Greek-Egyptians have purple blood. How lovely it is, too…

Selected in other Baker’s Dozens: Lord Spikeheart, Tom Ravenscroft
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