The second recording by
Charlie Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra utilizes a few alumni (the bassist/leader, trumpeters
Don Cherry and
Mike Mantler, tenor saxophonist
Dewey Redman, drummer
Paul Motian and pianist
Carla Bley), along with other musicians who rose to prominence since the 1969 debut album (
Jim Pepper and
Steve Slagle on reeds, trombonist Gary Valante, guitarist
Mick Goodrick,
Sharon Freeman on French horn, and
Jack Jeffers on tuba). As with the first set, the music mixes together some melodic but avant-garde explorations with revolutionary themes including songs from the Spanish Civil War, El Salvador, Portugal and Chile. "Too Late," a duet by
Bley and
Haden, serves as a change of pace. The music is quite credible and emotional, and has dated well. ~ Scott Yanow