Fables of Faubus

"Fables of Faubus" is a great example of protest jazz and how jazz musicians reacted to and participated in the Civil Rights Movement. Faubus was the Arkansas governor who attempted to resist the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School in 1957. President Eisenhower was eventually compelled to send the National Guard in to protect the Little Rock Nine, those brave African-American youths who tolerated attacks, racial epithets, threats, and violence just to go to school. Mingus, however, didn't record the song until '59, when it was included on his Mingus Ah Um album for Columbia. The lyrics consist of a series of personal and political attacks on Faubus, the KKK, white supremacists, fascists, and other political leaders, including Eisenhower. When first recorded, Columbia refused to let Mingus include the lyrics because it was too 'controversial.'

The song is built on a short, somewhat bluesy phrase that is remarkable in its simplicity. The first recording, though free from the somewhat unnecessary lyrics, lacks the presence of Eric Dolphy to take it in interesting directions. Indeed, Dolphy and other bandmates often quoted famous spirituals and other songs within their solos, which made their solos more interesting (at least I think so). This initial recording, though important for introducing the song to the world, is my least favorite. It's also a little slower than the live versions Mingus would later perform.

The "Original Faubus Fables" was released on a live album by Mingus for the label Candid. They allowed him to include the lyrics, and the band takes the song into interesting directions through their improvisations. They quote "Wade in the Water" and Eric Dolphy's presence pushes the song toward the avant garde. I love that man's utterly unique voice on any instrument he touches (in this case, alto sax). 

  

The third (and my favorite version) is from a live set at Cornell University featuring Eric Dolphy. It's nearly 30 minutes long, but worth the time for the avid Mingus fan. The musicians quote a lot of famous songs within the entire 30 minutes, including the Negro national anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing," "Old McDonald Had a Farm" and Chopin's "Funeral March" on piano. So it's fun to listen and spot the musical allusions to famous songs. It's also quite avant-garde because of not only Dolphy, but Mingus himself moving more and more toward the 'new thing' in jazz. There's all kinds of tempo changes, interesting drumming from Dannie Richmond (switching between swing and Latin rhythms), and interesting solos that fuse elements of blues (Mingus's bass solo), free jazz, folk, and classical. And the band is driven by the awe-inspiring rhythm section of Richmond and Mingus on bass. Mingus also quotes the Civil War folk song "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" during his great solo with Richmond's drums accompanying him. Near the end of the song, Dolphy's solo on bass clarinet includes some Spanish themes, and Mingus accompanies him by playing flamenco lines on the bass, which Mingus had done back in the 1950s for his Tijuana Moods Latin/Spanish-themed album. Indeed, Mingus and company reveal and pay tribute to all of their musical influences during this essential performance of "Faubus."