From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
1987 studio album by Pharoah Sanders
A Prayer Before Dawn Released 1987 Recorded September 1987 at Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco, CA Genre Jazz Length 55 :43 Label Theresa TR 127
A Prayer Before Dawn is an album led by saxophonist Pharoah Sanders recorded in 1987 and released on the Theresa label that year.[1]
Reception
Professional ratings Review scores Source Rating AllMusic [2]
In his review for AllMusic , Al Campbell observed "A Prayer Before Dawn is one of Pharoah Sanders' gentle, reflective dates. ...It is the opposite of Sanders' characteristic fire-breathing tenor of his Impulse days, but there is nobility in taking this tranquil direction; Sanders refuses to repeat himself. He demands you listen with open ears, dropping preconceived notions.".[2] Writing in the Chicago Tribune , Jack Fuller said There is a sweetness about some of the cuts on this 1987 recording by tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders that becomes almost cloying at times. ...like Archie Shepp and so many other fine jazz exponents from earlier times, he has returned to the basics".[3]
Track listing
All compositions by Pharoah Sanders except as indicated
"The Light at the Edge of the World" (Piero Piccioni ) - 5:08
"Dedication to James W. Clark" - 5:15
"Softly for Shyla" (William Henderson) - 5:21
"The Greatest Love of All " (Linda Creed , Michael Masser ) - 8:23
"Midnight at Yoshi's" - 5:57
"Living Space" (John Coltrane ) - 4:32
"After the Rain" (Coltrane) - 6:34
"In Your Own Sweet Way " (Dave Brubeck ) - 7:08 Bonus track on CD reissue
"The Christmas Song " (Mel Tormé , Robert Wells ) - 7:25 Bonus track on CD reissue
Personnel
References
Years given are for the recording(s), not first release, unless stated otherwise.
As leader or co-leader
Hells Bells (1975)
Steadfast (1975)
After the Morning (West 54 , 1979)
Some Other Time (1981)
John Hicks (1982)
In Concert (1984)
Inc. 1 (1985)
Luminous (and Elise Wood , 1985–88)
Two of a Kind (and Ray Drummond , 1986–87)
I'll Give You Something to Remember Me By (1987)
East Side Blues (1988)
Naima's Love Song (1988)
Oleo (New York Unit, 1989)
Rhythm-a-Ning (and Kenny Barron , 1989)
Blue Bossa (New York Unit, 1990)
Is That So? (1990)
Live at Maybeck Recital Hall, Volume Seven (1990)
Power Trio (1990)
St. Thomas: Tribute to Great Tenors (1991)
Tribute to George Adams (1991–92)
After the Morning (Dominic Sciscente Music, 1992)
Blues March: Portrait of Art Blakey (1992)
Crazy for You (1992)
Friends Old and New (1992)
Moanin': Portrait of Art Blakey (1992)
Now's the Time (New York Unit, 1992)
Over the Rainbow (New York Unit, 1992)
Single Petal of a Rose (1992)
The Missouri Connection (and Jay McShann , 1992)
Beyond Expectations (1993)
Lover Man: A Tribute to Billie Holiday (1993)
Akari (New York Unit, 1994)
Duality (and Peter Leitch , 1994)
Gentle Rain (1994)
In the Mix (1994)
Heart Beats (Keystone Trio, 1995)
Piece for My Peace (1995)
Cry Me a River (1997)
Newklear Music (Keystone Trio, 1997)
Nightwind: An Erroll Garner Songbook (1997)
Something to Live For: A Billy Strayhorn Songbook (1997)
Trio + Strings (1997)
Hicks Time (released 1998)
Impressions of Mary Lou (1998)
Beautiful Friendship (and Elise Wood, 2000)
Music in the Key of Clark (2001)
Fatha's Day: An Earl Hines Songbook (2003)
Twogether (with Frank Morgan , 2005–6)
I Remember You (2006)
On the Wings of an Eagle (2006)
Sweet Love of Mine (2006)
WithArt Blakey WithArthur Blythe WithDavid Murray WithPharoah Sanders With others
Solid! (Eric Alexander , 1998)
Sunday in New York (Eric Alexander, 2005)
Eby (Hamiet Bluiett , 1984)
Fast Last! (Lester Bowie , 1974)
Now It's My Turn (Betty Carter , 1976)
The Audience with Betty Carter (1979)
It's Not About the Melody (Betty Carter, 1992)
Gardenias for Lady Day (James Carter , 2003)
The Bassist: Homage to Diversity (Richard Davis , released 2001)
Structurally Sound (Booker Ervin , 1966)
Flying Colors (Ricky Ford , 1980)
Interpretations (Ricky Ford, 1982)
Awakening (Sonny Fortune , 1985)
The Outside Within (Chico Freeman , 1978)
Spirit Sensitive (Chico Freeman, 1978–79)
Habana (Roy Hargrove , 1997)
Again and Again (Oliver Lake , 1991)
52nd Street Themes (Joe Lovano , 1999)
On This Day ... Live at The Vanguard (Joe Lovano, 2002)
Streams of Expression (Joe Lovano, 2005)
Hi Voltage (Hank Mobley , 1967)
Taru (Lee Morgan , 1968)
Staying on the Watch (Sonny Simmons , 1966)
Live at the Loosdrecht Jazz Festival (Charles Tolliver , 1972)
Love Remains (Bobby Watson , 1986)