In another post RG requested some Charlie Haden recommendations. Gee RG could you ask for something a little less challenging next time.
Charlie Haden has been on I don't know about a billion recording dates over the course of his 45+ year career, so picking a few recommended recordings is just a tad bit overwhelming. Plus throw in the fact that Haden has been on more than a few free jazz milestone recordings and you know how yours truly loves that free blowing stuff...well this could get to be trouble.
However, since the good Mr. Haden has made so many recording of all type of music and jazz, there is plenty to recommend and explore and I start with an old classic, a new classic, a nice straight ahead date and hard to find treat to get you going.
The old classic: Charlie Haden - Liberation Music Orchestra (Impulse! MCAD-39125) recorded in 1969 this is really and truly a classic in the field of jazz and protest music. At times free and at other times highly arranged but alway inspired this one hell of record.
The new classic: Charlie Haden Liberation Music Orchestra - Not in Our Name (Verve CD 1418) recorded in 2004 and another protest but this time against the war in Iraq. The music is once free or arranged but alway inspired. different players, except for Carla Bley but with the same impressive results.
Straight ahead date: Charlie Haden Quartet West - Quartet West (Verve CS 831673-4) recorded in 1986 Haden is joined by Alan Broadbent on piano, Billy Higgins on drums and Ernie Watts on saxophones for a very set originals and standards.
Out of print treat: Conrad Silvert Presents Jazz at the Opera House (Columbia LP C2-38430) This double live LP recorded at San Francisco's Opera House features Haden along with such jazz notables as Herbie Hancock, pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi, Lew Tabackin, Bobby Hutcherson, Wayne Shorter, Wynton Marsalis and Tony Williams among others. Haden's bass playing on Shorter's "Footprints" is amazing.