Studio album by Rahsaan Roland Kirk Released 1973 Recorded January 22, 1973 Genre Jazz Label Atlantic Producer Joel Dorn Rahsaan Roland Kirk chronology A Meeting of the Times (1972) Prepare Thyself to Deal With a Miracle (1973) Bright Moments (1973) Professional ratings Review scores Source Rating Allmusic 4/5 stars[1]
Prepare Thyself to Deal With a Miracle is an album by jazz multi-instrumentalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk featuring performances by Kirk with Charles McGhee, Dick Griffin, Harry Smiles, Sanford Allen, Julien Barber, Selwart Clarke, Gayle Dixon, Al Brown, Kermit Moore, Ron Burton, Henry Mattathias Pearson, Robert Shy, Sonny Brown, Ralph MacDonald, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Jeanne Lee.[2]
The Allmusic review by Thom Jurek states "this is yet another criminally underappreciated Rahsaan Roland Kirk recording from the last phase of a remarkable career. This is perhaps Kirk's most experimental recording in that it involves his most involved performing on multiple horns and flutes — including his infamous and wonderful nose flute — and working with drones on a more surface level. Given Kirk's system of playing three horns at once, the drone horn was always a part of his sonic architecture. The difference here is that the melodic and improvisational lines take a back seat... There are numerous metaphors and metonyms here, but they will not come to the listener until later, when she or he regains the conscious notion of breathing".[3] Track listing
All compositions by Rahsaan Roland Kirk.
"Salvation and Reminiscing" - 5:22 "Seasons: One Mind Winter/Summer/Ninth Ghost" - 9:37 "Celestial Bliss" - 5:40 "Saxophone Concerto: Saxophone Miracle/One Breath Beyond/Dance of Revolution" - 21:00
Recorded at Regent Sound Studios, NYC, January 22, 1973
Personnel
Roland Kirk: tenor saxophone, clarinet, flute, nose flute, black mystery pipies, alto saxophone Charles McGhee: trumpet Dick Griffin: trombone Harry Smiles: oboe Sanford Allen, Julien Barber, Selwart Clarke, Gayle Dixon: violin Al Brown: viola Kermit Moore: cello Ron Burton: piano Henry Mattathias Pearson: bass Robert Shy: drums Sonny Brown, Ralph MacDonald: percussion Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jeanne Lee: vocals