In Greenwich Village

Personnel: Albert Ayler (alto & tenor saxophones); Donald Ayler (trumpet); Michael Sampson (violin); Joel Friedman (cello); Alan Silva, Bill Folwell, Henry Grimes (bass); Beaver Harris (drums).
Recorded live at the Village Vanguard on December 18, 1966 and at the Village Theatre on February 26, 1967, New York, New York.
This classic live album with its respendent psychedelic cover features the Albert Ayler ensemble in all its explosive glory. With cellist Joel Friedman and bassist Alan Silva on board, the sound is heavy on arco string playing, which gives the proceedings a distinctly classical, sometimes flamenco flavor. The flowing, elegaic "For John Coltrane" (played at the late saxophonist's funeral) is one of Ayler's most beautiful performances. Otherwise, all of the Ayler ensemble's Salvation Army-like melodic themes and tropes are duly set forth, a makeshift platform from which the musicians ascend to such scary heights.