The Ballad of the Fallen is a jazz album by bassist Charlie Haden, with arrangements by Carla Bley. It was recorded in November 1982 and released on ECM Records in October 1983.
The album is the second by Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra, the follow-up to their 1969 Liberation Music Orchestra. Carla Bley, Don Cherry, Michael Mantler, Paul Motian, Dewey Redman, and Haden appeared in the LMO's new incarnation with six new members.
Reception
The album was voted jazz album of the year in DownBeats 1984 critic's poll. Haden and Carla Bley placed first in that 1984 poll's “Acoustic Bass” and “Composer” categories, respectively.
Track listing Side A 1. "Els Segadors" ("The Reapers") (Catalan traditional) – 4:14 2. "The Ballad of the Fallen" (folk song from El Salvador) – 4:19 3. - "If You Want to Write Me" ("Si Me Quieres Escribir") (traditional) – 3:55 4. - "Grandola Vila Morena" (José Afonso) – 2:11 5. - "Introduction to People" (Carla Bley) – 3:55 6. - "The People United Will Never Be Defeated" ("El Pueblo Unido Jamás Será Vencido!") (Sergio Ortega) – 1:40 7. "Silence" (Charlie Haden) – 5:49
Side B 1. "Too Late" (Carla Bley) – 8:24 2. "La Pasionaria" (Charlie Haden) – 10:26 3. "La Santa Espina" (Àngel Guimerà/Enric Morera) – 6:58
Personnel
Liberation Music Orchestra Charlie Haden – double bass Carla Bley – piano, glockenspiel, arrangements Dewey Redman – tenor saxophone Jim Pepper – flute, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone Steve Slagle – clarinet, flute, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone Michael Mantler – trumpet Gary Valente – trombone Sharon Freeman – French horn Jack Jeffers – tuba Don Cherry – pocket trumpet Mick Goodrick – guitar Paul Motian – percussion, drums
References
External links The Story behind the Ballad of the Fallen, by Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music Orchestra at The Music Aficionado, Jan.3, 2017 Liner notes at ECM, accessed 5/1/2018