The Weary Blues with Langston Hughes

by Langston Hughes

The Weary Blues with Langston Hughes cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 1958
  • Label: MGM
  • Country: United States
  • Length: 44:34
  • Community rating: 3.5/5 from 2 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

In a groundbreaking fusion of literature and music, the legendary Harlem Renaissance poet recites his rhythmic, blues-infused verse over original jazz compositions. The backing ensembles, featuring heavyweights like Charles Mingus and Red Allen, provide a dynamic, swinging commentary that perfectly interacts with the spoken word. The recording stands as a highly influential, absolute masterpiece of the jazz-poetry movement.

Genres

Descriptors: acoustic

Tracklist

  1. Blues Montage, Pt. 1: Opening Blues/Blues Montage (3:13)
  2. Blues Montage, Pt. 2: Commercial Theatre/Morning After (6:55)
  3. Blues Montage, Pt. 3: Could Be/Opening Blues (7:41)
  4. Testament (5:45)
  5. Consider Me: The Stranger/Midnight Stroll/ Backstage (3:21)
  6. Dream Montage: Weird Nightmare (8:00)
  7. Double G Train (4:12)
  8. Dream Montage: Jump Monk (5:24)

Credits

  • Langston Hughes - primary artist, vocals
  • Charles Mingus - arranged by, bass
  • Milt Hinton - bass
  • Kenny Dennis - drums
  • Osie Johnson - drums
  • Al Williams - piano
  • Horace Parlan - piano
  • Shafi Hadi - tenor saxophone
  • Leonard Feather - arranged by, producer

More from Langston Hughes: full discography