This is a crazy and consistently riotous two-disc set that features
the Don Ellis Orchestra at its height. The 20-piece orchestra (with trumpeter
Ellis doubling on drums along with a regular drummer and two percussionists) often used electronic devices (such as ring modulators) at the time to really distort its sound. When coupled with odd time signatures and such exuberant soloists as
Ellis, trombonist
Glenn Ferris, tenor saxophonist
John Klemmer (showcased on the remarkable "Excursion II"), guitarist
Jay Graydon, altoists
Fred Selden and
Lonnie Shetter, and tenor
Sam Falzone, the results are quite memorable. Highlights of the date include "Final Analysis" (which contains a countless number of false endings), a bizarre rendition of "Hey Jude," and an often hilarious remake of "Pussy Wiggle Stomp." In 2005, the Wounded Bird label reissued this session on CD for the first time. Unfortunately, no bonus tracks were available.