This was the first ECM title to be released in 1970. It’s a beautiful session. As I’ve mentioned many times, Waldron is one of my favorite pianists. But his later work, only released on vinyl in stereo, has been off limits for me up until some weeks ago when I added a second turntable with a stereo cartridge. So now I’m on the hunt for all his lovely albums released in the 70’s and 80’s, and Free At Last is a great start.
He embarked on a journey back from a breakdown in 1963, caused by a drug overdose. He had to learn how to play again. Gradually his skills came back, but it took several years. He came back a strong player as this album is a testament to. The liner notes are written by him and he mentions that the album marks a different approach to his music. It represented his meeting with free jazz and he goes on to write that one will hear him playing rhythmically instead of soloing over chord changes. I love this approach.
This session is a great introduction to Waldrons later career and I would urge you to check it out if you haven’t already heard it. Very much recommended.