Following their superb "chronotransduction," Escalator Over the Hill, composer
Carla Bley and poet
Paul Haines once again teamed up for
Tropic Appetites, a somewhat different, but equally compelling effort. The instrumentation is scaled down to an octet and the lyrics revolve around trips to Southeast Asia, particularly Bali, made by
Haines over the preceding years.
Bley makes an inspired choice for lead vocalist by enlisting the extraordinary
Julie Tippetts who had attained rock stardom in the late '60s (as
Julie Driscoll) in
Brian Auger's Trinity.
After a powerful introductory "overture" led by the still incendiary
Gato Barbieri who, for contractual reasons, is referred to in the credits as "Unidentified Cat," the hothouse atmosphere of the recording is established by the next song, "In India," with its humid, surreal lyrics.
Bley consistently provides rich, imaginative, and varied underpinnings for
Tippett's crystalline vocal work. From the ferocious and angry "Enormous Tots" to the yearning "Caucasian Bird Riffles" to the delightful singsong "Funnybird Song" featuring priceless vocals from Howard Johnson and
Bley's very young daughter
Karen Mantler (who would go on to a career of her own), the music is strong and memorable throughout.
All of the musicians are in top form, but special mention should be made of the dream rhythm team of
David Holland and
Paul Motian. Their tonal colors and supple interplay is a major factor of the success of this album.
Tropic Appetites is one of
Carla Bley's greatest successes; one could only wish that she had continued in this vein rather than opting for the jazz-funk bands she led from 1980 forward. ~ Brian Olewnick