Verve Reissues The Golden Number
The revival of Charlie's classic 1977 LP of duos is in partnership with Nashville-based Third Man Records
Charlie’s 1976 Closeness and 1977 The Golden Number LPs represent a double free jazz musical tour duo force. Released on the same label (Horizon/A&M) less than a year apart, by the same producer (John Snyder), sharing recording dates very close togther at the same studios in NYC and LA, they celebrate the concept of the two-man band. Charlie had been playing live in this format for years. The platters mark the first time he put the idea to vinyl.
The Golden Number opens with two Haden-penned tunes: “Out Of Focus”, recorded 7 June 1976 at Kendun in Burbank, with trumpeter (doubling on flute), close friend, and fellow Ornette Coleman-alumnus Don Cherry, and “Shepp’s Way”, recorded 20 December 1976 at Generation Sound in NYC, with saxophonist and free jazz doublewn Archie Shepp. Charlie had last recorded with Shepp on the latter’s 1967 Mama Too Tight LP (Impulse). Side 2 starts with Ornette Coleman’s fairly straight-ahead composition Turnaround. Charlie’s partner here his musical hero and long-time confidante, pianist Hampton Hawes, 21 August 1976 at Village Recorder in L.A., less than a year before Hawes’ unexpected and untimely death. The album closes with Charlie’s title song, put to tape 19 December 1976 (one day prior to “Shepp’s Way”) at Generation Sound, performed with Ornette himself, playing trumpet.
Both albums were released when I was 9 years old. Charlie was very proud of these discs. I remember them vividly. I remember opening the gatefold sleeves and studying the liner notes. The Golden Number includes a Charlie endorsement written by Ornette, and a dedication to Hampton Hawes by Charlie. There’s photos of the musicians, and a transcription of Ornette’s solo. I remember the reverse gatefold “unipack” jacket feature and even the font they used.
Verve’s reissue duplicates the 1977 U.S. version in all but two ways: the gatefold design and the wax pressing (manufactured at Third Man), both of which are superior, especially the 180g vinyl which is quieter, and more dynamic, than the original. A limited edition was also released in partnership with Third Man Records. Cover art and design is reimagined and the pressing’s on bright gold-yellow vinyl. Thanks to Third Man’s Ben Blackwell for sending me a copy. Thanks to Ken Drucker, Senior Vice President for Jazz Development, Verve Music Group, for championing this project, and for sending me copies of the standard version to share with my sisters.
Charlie went on to record several duet albums throughout his career. 1978’s LP with Hampton Hawes, As Long As There’s Music (Artists House), emerged from sessions originally recorded for Closeness and The Golden Number. Charlie and Ornette released Soapsuds, Soapsuds (Artists House) in 1979. I posted documents I found relating to these sessions here. Other records include Time Remembers One Time Once (1983, ECM) with pianist Denny Zeitlin, First Meeting (1986, Alfa) with pianist Micho Leviev, Dialogues (1990, Verve) with Portugese guitarist Carlos Paredes, None But The Lonely Heart (1997, Naim) with pianist Chris Anderson, Beyond The Missouri Sky (1997, Verve) with guitarist Pat Metheny, Night And The City (1998, Verve) with pianist Kenny Barron, Steal Away (1995, Verve) and Come Sunday (2011, Emarcy), with pianist Hank Jones, and Jasmine (2010, ECM) and Last Dance (2014, ECM) with pianist Keith Jarrett, to name a few.
Information about purchasing the new editions of The Golden Number directly from Universal Music can be found here and here.
All words and images © 2024 Josh Haden except by respective copyright holders.
A beautiful pair of reissues! I own Original Closeness LP, and the Golden Number on CD.
Such deep, beautiful and powerful music on both albums. I am happy both recieved this new life!