Exploring Eric Dolphy's 'Out to Lunch' – What Makes This Album Great? Ep.1

Exploring Eric Dolphy's "Out to Lunch" – What Makes This Album Great?

In this first episode of "What Makes This Album Great?" we explore the music of Eric Dolphy.
We unravel the genius of Eric Dolphy, one of jazz's most innovative yet misunderstood figures. From his groundbreaking compositions to his unparalleled musicianship, we break down Dolphy's iconic album Out to Lunch and explore why it remains a timeless masterpiece. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to Dolphy's music, this video will help you appreciate his artistry on a deeper level.

Timestamps:
🎬 Intro
0:00 - Who is Eric Dolphy?
0:02 - Why Dolphy's music is challenging yet rewarding
0:42 - The goal of this video: Making Dolphy accessible

🎶 Background
1:12 - Out to Lunch: Dolphy's only Blue Note album
1:20 - Recording and release history
1:46 - The legendary lineup: Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, Richard Davis, Tony Williams
2:19 - Dolphy's instruments: Alto sax, bass clarinet, flute

🎵 The Music
3:12 - Track 1: Hat and Beard (A tribute to Thelonious Monk)
3:54 - Track 2: Something Sweet, Something Tender
5:04 - Track 3: Gazzelloni (Dolphy on flute)
6:17 - Dolphy's style: Fragmentation, decoration, emotionalism
7:35 - Track 4: Out to Lunch (12-minute masterpiece)
8:26 - Track 5: Straight Up and Down (Experimental and playful)

💭 Final Thoughts
9:24 - Why Out to Lunch is a timeless masterpiece
10:00 - Dolphy's humanity and imperfections
10:54 - Elvin Jones on Dolphy's creativity and passion

🎥 Eric Dolphy Interview Excerpt
11:35 - Dolphy on freedom in music and collaboration

The expressions about the music on this record are my own. The facts were sourced from multiple sources, but the vast majority come from the fantastic book by authors Vladimir Simosko and Barry Tepperman called "Eric Dolphy: A Musical Biography And Discography" Da Capo Press, 1996.

If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more deep dives into jazz history! Let me know in the comments: What’s your favorite Eric Dolphy track or album?

#EricDolphy #OutToLunch #JazzHistory #BobbyHutcherson #FreddieHubbard #TonyWilliams #JazzMasterpiece

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[patrickstaresq]

Jason this is probably the best episode you've produced yet. I know this content format and subject matter probably won't bring in the views, but I'm still very glad you're going to do a series of these. Thank you for taking the thoughtful amount of care, research and respect covering Eric Dolphy and this album that it so richly deserves. You've done a fantastic job of providing a very insightful assessment of the beauty, power, and innovation Dolphy, Hutcherson, Hubbard, Davis and Williams put into this music. All of them titans with Dolphy being a multi-instrumentalist marvel. The two biggest tragedies of jazz are losing Clifford Brown and Eric Dolphy far too early in their creative output. Kudos Jason! Great episode.

[retromusings]

This is a fantastic video. Thank you. I don't have any Dolphy records. Hope to get at least one copy to enjoy.

[daigreatcoat]

"Musical Prophet" is also worth investigating: three CDs of music from the Douglas sessions. The line-up varies from tune to tune (something which hardly ever happened on Blue Note sessions), and it is the only other late Dolphy recording (apart from "Last Date") on which he is fully in control of the proceedings.

[csaadiq-um]

Eric Dolphy is a musical superhero in my book. Excellent episode! I would also add that 'Iron Man' is one of his most standout tracks imo

[nb]

This album is nuts- swagger to another degree

[patrickashby]

Personally I got into Dolphy through the five spot recordings and his records with Mingus and George Russell.

[robbiedetroitstigermanviny]

Seems like so many of these Jazz Players met their Demise way too Young. Dolphy is Exceptional and Way Way Underrated. Awesome Video!!!

[p.r.h.]

Gazelloni was a great Italian classical flautist

[emilianoturazzi]

Every time I somewhere see this album I feel I want to buy it ... I own two Out to lunch Lps and 2 Cds ... waiting for buying the japan edition with 2 unreleased tracks (Hat and Beard and Something Sweet Something Tender) - that would be the only rational new buy once owning 1 Lp and 1 Cd... and I'm still dreaming about new unreleased bonus tracks... even false starts, fragments.
Ornette Coleman is my favourite musician, but if I had to choose just one album, I'd probably choose this one.