Charles Mingus

Charles Mingus’ “Fables Of Faubus” is teamed with a series of relevant photographs

Charles Mingus’ “Fables Of Faubus,” a musical protest against racism in general and Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus (a segregationist) in particular, received its first vocal version for the Candid label in 1960.

That recording, which has Mingus and his drummer Dannie Richmond, railing against the racial injustice of the time, features the bassist’s quartet with altoist Eric Dolphy and trumpeter Ted Curson.

The nine-minute rendition is used here as the soundtrack for a series of well-chosen photographs from the period that include racist acts, lynchings, “Whites Only” signs and civil rights marches.

Unfortunately the message and images are still relevant today.

Personnel:

Charles Mingus, bass
Ted Curson, trumpet
Eric Dolphy, alto
Dannie Richmond, drums

– Scott Yanow