Part 6: Films & Video Tapes
Features a low-budget spaceship (special effects are of roughly Doctor Who quality) in which Ra lands after a sojourn in space and a scene in which Ra is tied to a chair by two FBI agents and forced to listen to a military band playing Dixie (not country music as has sometimes been claimed). The Fibbies later try to assassinate him during a concert. The scene, set in "Chicago 1943," in which Ra defies a Superfly-style gangster called the Overseer by playing outside and literally blowing people out of the bar is a classic. Ra is also shown running the "Outer Space Employment Agency" and giving a concert with the Arkestra.
See Discography, item 52a for a complete listing of the soundtrack music; only excerpts are used in the film. Tommy Hunter appears on drums with Ra (p) in the Bar Scene; the musicians listed on 52a play on the rest of the soundtrack, which was recorded separately from the live appearance in the auditorium. That explains why John Gilmore can be heard playing even though he is not visible on the bandstand (he is wearing a Thoth costume). [Hunter and Gordon]
unknown title (Ra, p)
unknown outside title (Gilmore, ts; Ra, p)
When There Is No Sun (Ra) (Ra, p, voc; Davis, fl; Gilmore and Thomas, voc)
Gone with the Wind (Magidson-Wrubel) (Abdullah, tp; Ra, p)
The Mystery of Two (Ra) (Abdullah, tp; Gilmore, ts; Davis, as; Ra, p)
A Different Kind of Blues (Ra) (Ra, p; Gilmore, ts; Abdullah, tp; Thomas, voc)
Greetings from the 21st Century / Do the Thang / Space Is the Place (Ra) (whole ens incl. June Tyson, voc)
Sun Ra and Friends: Ahmed Abdullah-tp, voc; John Gilmore-ts, voc; Danny Davis-as, fl; Sun Ra-p, perc, voc; June Tyson-voc; Eddie Thomas (Thomas Thaddeus)-voc. [Tune listing by Trent and rlc; personnel and location from credits.]
Described by Sun Ra as 6 pieces in 6 minutes, but what is preserved is:
Space is the Place (Ra)
The Sound Mirror (Ra)
Watusa (Ra)
Sun Ra and his Jazz from Another Planet Arkestra: unidentified-tp, flg; Tony Bethel-tb; poss. Craig Harris-tb; Vincent Chancey-Frh; Marshall Allen-as, fl; Danny Davis-as, fl; John Gilmore-ts, cga; Eloe Omoe-bcl; James Jacson-bsn, perc; Danny Ray Thompson-bs; Ra-syn, org, voc; Luqman Ali-d; unidentified-cga; prob. Cheryl Banks-dance; prob. Judith Holton (Wisteria el Moondew)-dance; prob. Mickey Davidson-dance. [Tunes Trent; personnel rlc from still photo in Down Beat, 9/93, p. 27; I thought the trumpeter was Eddie Gale, but he says he wasn't there.]
comments by announcer
When There Is No Sun (Ra) (ens. voc.)
Along Came Ra (Ra) (ens. voc.)
Discipline 27 (Ra) (incl. freakout solos by Allen and Gilmore and "conducted" ens.)
Big John's Special (H. Henderson)
Happy as the Day Is Long (Koehler-Arlen) (Ray, muted tp; Hill, tb)
Fate in a Pleasant Mood (Ra) (Ra, vocal dramatizing)
Space Is the Place (Ra) (Tyson and ens. voc.; incomplete)
Arkestra: Ra-org, keyb; Michael Ray-tp; 1 or 2 unidentified-tp; Tyrone Hill-tb; Vincent Chancey-Frh; Marshall Allen-as, fl; Eloe Omoe-as, bcl; John Gilmore-ts, perc; Danny Ray Thompson-bs; prob. Kenny Williams-bs; James Jacson-bsn, Ancient Egyptian Infinity Drum; prob. Skeeter McFarland-eg; poss. Hayes Burnett-b; poss. Eric "Samurai" Walker-d; poss. Chris Henderson-d; poss. Atakatune-cga; unidentified-perc; June Tyson-voc. [rlc; thanks to Kruempelmann for the audio; Jeff Crompton says there were two baritone saxes.]
For details, see concert tape listing: T83.10.29.
Paris Jazz Festival:
Introduction (Allen, kora)
untitled improvisation (featuring EVIs)
Along Came Ra / Children of the Sun (Ra) ("Ra est venu"; Tyson, voc; Ra, voc; ens. voc)
Blue Lou (Sampson) (Gilmore, ts; excerpt only)
Nuclear War (Ra) (Ra, voc; Tyson, voc; ens voc)
1984 (Ra) (Ra, voc; Tyson, voc; ens voc; perc solos and dance)
Cocktails for Two (Coslow-Johnston) (Allen, as)
Le New Morning:
Love in Outer Space (Ra)
untitled improvisation (poss. on Shadow World) (Thompson-bs, Hill-tb, and Omoe-bcl; Ra-p; Gilmore-falsetto ts)
Astro Black (Ra) (Tyson, voc)
Nuclear War (Ra) (Ra, voc; ens. voc; excerpt)
untitled improvisation (Allen, kora; perc solos and dance)
Mystery, Mr. Ra (Ra) (Ra, voc; Tyson, voc; ens. voc)
Discipline 27 (Ra) (Ra, conductor; excerpt)
Sun Ra and his Myth Science Arkestra: prob. Ronnie Brown-tp, flg; unidentified-tp; Tyrone Hill-tb; Marshall Allen-as, fl, EVI, kora, sticks, whistle; John Gilmore, ts-EVI, timbales; Eloe Omoe-as, bcl, EVI, contra-alto cl, maracas; Danny Ray Thompson-as, bs, fl, EVI, bgo; James Jacson-bsn, Ancient Egyptian Infinity Drum; Ra-p, keyb, voc; unidentified-eg; prob. Wilbur Little-b (Paris Jazz Festival); Rollo Radford-electric standup b (New Morning); prob. Don Mumford-d; prob. Chris Henderson-d; poss. Matthew Brown-cga; poss. Stanley Morgan-cga; unidentified-cga; June Tyson-voc, dance; poss. Myriam Broch-dance; poss. Greg Pratt-dance. [rlc -- Mumford and Little mentioned in credits.]
Discipline 27-II / I'll Wait for You (Ra)
unidentified blues (Ra, keyb; Wilson, picc; Radford, eb; Wilson, ts)
Yeah Man! (Sissle-Henderson)
Prelude to a Kiss (Ellington)
Mack the Knife (Brecht-Weill-Blitzstein) (Jacson, voc; Wilson, ts)
Love in Outer Space (Ra)
The Shadow World (Ra)
Sun Ra Intergalactic Arkestra: unidentified-tp; Tyrone Hill-tb; Marshall Allen-as, fl, ob; John Gilmore-ts, cl, perc, voc; Ronald Wilson-ts, picc; Danny Ray Thompson-bs; Eloe Omoe-as, bcl; James Jacson-bsn, fl, Ancient Egyptian Infinity Drum, voc; Ra-keyb, voc; unidentified-eg; Rollo Radford-eb; prob. Tommy Hunter-d; unidentified-perc; unidentified-perc; June Tyson-voc. [Trent; Radford is playing a double necked electric bass, with frets on one neck and none on the other.]
Calling Planet Earth (Ra)
The Arkestra: Ra-keyb, voc; Al Evans-tp; Fred Adams-tp; Tyrone Hill-tb; Marshall Allen-as; John Gilmore-ts; Danny Ray Thompson-bs; Eloe Omoe-bcl; James Jacson-bsn, perc; Bruce Edwards-eg; John Brown-d; June Tyson-voc. Dance, gesture, and Virtual Reality: Michael Ray, Barday, Eddie Thomas (Thomas Thaddeus), Atakatune. "Visuals performed by Bill Sebastian on the Outerspace Visual Communicator." [from package insert; thanks to Pleshar for the video]
Includes studio footage with Virtual Reality; also early '70s footage of the Arkestra at the Pyramids. [Webber]
Discipline 27-II / Children of the Sun (Ra)
unidentified title (Ra, p solo)
Yeah Man! (Sissle-Henderson)
unidentified title (Ra, p; eg; Patrick, as)
unidentified blues (Ra, p; b; eg; Wilson, ts)
The Arkestra: Tyrone Hill-tb; Marshall Allen-as, ob, fl; Pat Patrick-as; John Gilmore-ts; Ronald Wilson-ts; Danny Ray Thompson-bs; Eloe Omoe-as, bcl; James Jacson-bsn, fl, Ancient Egyptian Infinity Drum; Ra-p, keyb, voc; prob. Bruce Edwards-eg; prob. Tyler Mitchell-b; Earl "Buster" Smith-d. [Trent]
Polish announcement
introduction by Willis Conover
unidentified title (horn solos, perc, dance)
Discipline 27-II (Ra) (perc, dance, horns)
The Arkestra and Bushdancers: Fred Adams-tp; Tyrone Hill-tb; Marshall Allen-as, fl; Pat Patrick-as; Danny Ray Thompson-as, bs; John Gilmore-ts, cl, voc; James Jacson-fl, bsn, Ancient Egyptian Infinity Drum; Leroy Taylor (Eloe Omoe)-as, bcl, contra-alto cl; Danny Davis-as, fl; Kenny Williams-ts, bs; Sun Ra-p, keyb, voc; Robert A. Williams-space instruments; Oscar Fleming Brown-eb; Earl C. (Buster) Smith-d; June Tyson-voc, dance; Judith A. Holton-dance; Cheryl Banks-dance; Greg Pratt-dance; Darrell Brown-dance. [Trent; personnel taken from a "publicity handout for this German tour; no guarantees who was there on the night".]
Ra doesn't actually play on these selections, which come from the beginning of a concert. He presides over an "exuberant dance party". The baritone player (presumably Kenny Williams) is a strong outside soloist [Trent].
This is the major festival in Japan -- the Arkestra played opposite Miles Davis and Pat Metheny, among others. [Abdullah]
"Excellent short feature with philosophies and music."
Interview with Ra by Steven Roberts (7 min.)
When There Is No Sun (Ra) (6 min.)
The Arkestra: Ra-keyb; Michael Ray-pocket tp, voc; Marshall Allen-as, ob; John Gilmore-ts, timbales, voc; Charles Davis-bs; John Ore-b; Buster Smith-d; Elson Nascimento-surdo, perc; June Tyson-voc. In the background is probably Chris Capers, who does not appear to be playing. [Trent]
untitled improvisation
Ra-p; Don Cherry-pocket tp.
Ra was also interviewed by Ben Sidran (5 min). [Iannapollo]
titles unidentified, but show had a Disney theme: Sun Ra Salutes Walt Disney
Sun Ra and the Arkestra: Ra-p, keyb; Ahmed Abdullah-tp; Cecil Brooks-tp; Fred Adams-tp; others unidentified. [Shore]
Interview with Dave Sanborn (2:14)
Retrospect (Ra) (5:31) (rather brisk tempo)
Face the Music (Ra) (5:44) (ensemble voc)
Space Is the Place (Ra) (2:18) (incomplete, ensemble voc)
The Arkestra: Ra-p, Yamaha DX7; Ahmed Abdullah-tp; Tyrone Hill-tb; Marshall Allen-as, fl, perc; John Gilmore-ts, timbales; James Jacson-fl, bsn, Ancient Egyptian Infinity Drum; unidentified-b; Buster Smith-d; Elson Nascimento-surdo; June Tyson-voc, vln. On Space is the Place, add: Dave Sanborn-as; Hiram Bullock-eg; Omar Hakim-d; Don Alias-perc; Syd Straw-voc, perc; Al Green-various unenthusiastic perc. [Iannapollo and rlc; thanks to Pat Padua for the video.]
Abdullah recalls that this concert preceded the one in Istanbul. "Fantastic -- the band was fired up." Cecil Taylor was also featured; he came and talked to Sun Ra about playing with the Arkestra.
"Footage exists of a performance in the streets of Istanbul with the full Arkestra on a flatbed truck." The Istanbul performance was sponsored by Pozitif Vibrations. [Abdullah]
unidentified titles
The Arkestra: Ra-keyb; others unidentified.
This was Ra's second appearance at the City Stages Festival; the Arkestra also played there in 1989.
Astro Black (Ra) (perc, dance) (t)
unidentified title (perc; Gilmore, ts; Allen, as) (t, r)
Prelude to a Kiss (Ellington) (t, r)
Blue Lou (Sampson) (r only)
Face the Music (Ra) (t, r)
unidentified blues (t, r)
Egyptian Fantasy (Ra) (t, r)
Down Here on the Ground (Schifrin-Garnett) (t, r)
Sunset on the Nile (Ra) (t)
I Want To Be Happy (t)
Space Is the Place / We Travel the Spaceways (Ra) (t)
Encore (perc, dance) (t)
The Arkestra: Ra-p, syn, voc; Michael Ray-tp, voc; Ahmed Abdullah-tp, voc; Tyrone Hill-tb; Marshall Allen-as, fl; Noel Scott-as; John Gilmore-ts, timbales; James Jacson-bsn, Ancient Egyptian Infinity Drum; June Tyson-voc, vln; Jothan Callins-eb; Clifford Barbaro-d; Earl "Buster" Smith-d, Ron McBee-cga, perc; Jorge Silva-perc; Elson Nascimento-surdo, perc. [Most performers identified by Trent from videotape; Callins, Barbaro, and McBee based on personnel from Mayan Temples.]
1st set:
unidentified title (Williams, ts; Ra, p)
Discipline 27-II (Ra)
Tapestry from an Asteroid (Ra)
The Shadow World (Ra) (Ray, tp; Tyson, vln; Williams, ts; Allen, as)
Theme of the Stargazers (Ra)
Prelude to a Kiss (Ellington)
Egyptian Fantasy (Ra) (Ra's prelude hints at Queer Notions)
Deep Purple (DeRose-Parish) (Ra, p; Ray, tp; Hill, tb)
El Is a Sound of Joy (Ra)
Daydream (Strayhorn-Ellington)
unidentified title (Ra) (bright theme)
Love in Outer Space (Ra)
Space Is the Place / We Travel the Spaceways (Ra)
2nd set:
Sun Ra and his 21st Century Omniverse Arkestra: Michael Ray-tp; Chris Capers-flg; Tyrone Hill-tb; Marshall Allen-as, fl; Michael Williams-ts, fl; James Jacson-bsn, fl, Ancient Egyptian Infinity Drum; Ra-p, keyb; Jothan Callins-eb; Earl
"Buster" Smith-d; Elson Dos Santos Nascimento-perc; June Tyson-voc, vln. [List obtained by Kruempelmann from Ra
organization, includes Spencer R. Weston, tour manager, and Curtis Bracey, sound engineer; Jacson credited with oboe, but
none is heard. Trent confirms listings, though on the video Capers is partly blocked and only Callins' elbow can be seen.
Trent says Williams plays in a manner reminiscent of Ayler, Shepp, and Gilmore.]
1st set:
After the show:
The Arkestra: Ahmed Abdullah-tp, voc; Michael Ray-tp, voc; Tyrone Hill-tb, Marshall Allen-as, fl; James Jacson-bsn,
Infinity Drum; Sun Ra-p, syn; Bruce Edwards-eg; Jothan Callins-eb; Buster Smith-d; Elson Nascimento-perc; Stanley
Morgan (Atakatune)-cga. "The personnel is based on observation, backed by Buster Smith's announcement at the end of each set (he omits several people each time, but does manage to mention everyone at least once!)." The photocopied publicity leaflet is seriously inaccurate. [Trent]
"This also contains footage of the after show reception." Ra sits at piano and plays a few notes while band packs up, then
Ray comes over for a duet. [Webber]
The Arkestra: Sun Ra-p, syn; Ahmed Abdullah-tp; John Ore-b; Buster Smith-d; others unidentified. [Abdullah]
first set:
second set:
The Arkestra under the leadership of John Gilmore: Ahmed Abdullah-tp; Fred Adams-tp; Tyrone Hill-tb; Marshall Allen-as; Noel Scott-as; John Gilmore-ts; James Jacson-bsn, fl, Ancient Egyptian Infinity Drum; prob. Chris Capers-ss; Billy
Bang-vln; prob. Owen Brown-vln; Bruce Edwards-eg; unidentified-b (making his first appearance with the Arkestra),
Buster Smith-d; Jorge Silva-perc; Elson Nascimento-surdo, perc; Damon Choice-vib (second set only); Art Jenkins-voc.
[Shore; probables identified by rlc]
The Arkestra without Ra played the Knitting Factory in New York, 12/23-26/92. Sun Ra made his last (non-playing) appearance with the band during this stand. On 12/25 and 12/26, Trudy Morse recited Sun Ra poems. Essentially the same ensemble played the wedding on 12/27.
tunes included:
The Arkestra under the leadership of John Gilmore: Ahmed Abdullah-tp; Al Evans-cnt; Chris Capers-flg; Fred Adams-tp; Jothan Callins-tp; Tyrone Hill-tb; Marshall Allen-as, ob, fl, picc; Noel Scott-as; John Gilmore-ts; James Jacson-bsn,
Ancient Egyptian Infinity Drum; Billy Bang-vln; Owen Brown, Jr.-vln; Bruce Edwards-eg; John Ore-b; Buster
Smith-d; Craig Haynes-d; Teddy Thomas (Thomas Thaddeus)-perc, dance; Elson Nascimento-surdo, perc; Art
Jenkins-voc. [based on Morse's personnel for the Knitting Factory gig.]
Queer Notions (Hawkins)
Sunset on the Nile (Ra)
Hocus Pocus (Hudson)
Spontaneous Simplicity (Ra)
Sophisticated Lady (Carney-Mills-Ellington)
Sometimes I'm Happy (Caesar-Youmans)
'SWonderful (Gershwin)
Images (Ra)
unidentified title (Ra) (composition often played from 1990 on)
Nameless One #2 (Ra) (Hill, tb)
They'll Come Back (Ra)
Space Is the Place / We Travel the Spaceways /
V92.2.27. Boston concert
New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, Mass. 2/27/92. 45 min. See T92.2.27 for details. [Morse]
V92.3.26. Live in Frankfurt
Jazzkeller, Frankfurt am Main, Germany 3/26/92. 80 min. Private video. See concert listing T92.3.26 for 2nd set on audio only. [Kruempelmann and Trent]
(tune up)
Retrospect (Ra)
Prelude To A Kiss (Ra) (Ray, Abdullah voc; Allen as)
Friendly Galaxy (Ra)
Nameless One #2 (Ra)
Love In Outer Space (Ra)
These Foolish Things (Abdullah tp; Ra p)
The Shadow World (Ra)
Theme Of The Stargazers (Ra)
They'll Come Back (Ra) (Ra, p; Ray, voc)
V92.8. Live in New York
Bottom Line, New York City. August 1992. Video provided by Buster Smith.
V92.11.28. Live in New York
11/28/92. Arkestra without Ra at a Jewish wedding at the National Arts Club, Gramercy Park area, New York City.
Amateur video. Sound variable (camera located to right side of band but sometimes roamed around the premises). 60 min.
[Shore]
Discipline 27-II (Ra) (incomplete)
Autumn in New York (Duke-Harburg) (Gilmore, ts)
It's Easy to Remember (Rodgers-Hart) (Jenkins, voc)
Frisco Fog (Carr-Roberts)
Days of Wine and Roses (Mancini) (Jenkins, voc)
Hava Nagila (trad.) (Jenkins, voc; Allen, as)
Christopher Columbus (Razaf-Berry) (Hill, tb)
Prelude No. 7 (Chopin) (Allen, as)
Theme of the Stargazers (Ra) (incomplete)
V92.12.27. Live in New Jersey
Arkestra sans Ra playing a second Jewish wedding, in New Jersey, 12/27/92. Amateur video. Complete performance also
on audiotape off the board (in mono). 135 min. In the possession of Randy and Daphne Fishman.
Hava Nagila (trad.)
It's Easy to Remember (Rodgers-Hart)
Autumn in New York (Duke-Harburg)
Days of Wine and Roses (Mancini)
Stardust (Parish-Carmichael)
The Greatest Love of All
Prelude to a Kiss (Ellington)
Let's Go Fly a Kite
Sunset on the Nile (Ra)
5 unidentified originals
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