''The Ayes Have It'' is an album by saxophonist

Evan Parker Evan Shaw Parker (born 5 April 1944) is a British tenor and soprano saxophone player who plays free improvisation. Recording and performing prolifically with many collaborators, Parker was a pivotal figure in the development of European free ja ...

. Tracks 1–4 were recorded in a London studio during December 1983, and feature Parker with bassist Paul Rogers, and, in a rare recorded appearance, percussionist

Jamie Muir Jamie Muir (born 1943 in Edinburgh) is a Scottish painter and former musician, best known for his work as the percussionist in King Crimson from 1972–1973. Biography Muir attended the Edinburgh College of Art during the 1960s, and began playi ...

. The remaining track was recorded live at the Angel and Crown pub in London on August 1, 1991, and features Parker, Rogers, trombonist

Wolter Wierbos Wolter Wierbos (born 1 September 1957, in Holten, Overijssel) is a Dutch trombonist. Wierbos has played throughout Europe, Canada, USA and Asia. Wierbos has many awards to his name, including the Podiumprijs for Jazz and Improvised music and the ...

, and percussionist Mark Sanders. The album was released by

Emanem Records Emanem Records is a record company and independent record label founded in London, England in 1974 by Martin Davidson and Madelaine Davidson to record free improvisation. Its headquarters moved to New York City (1975–76), New Jersey (1979 ...

in 2001.

Reception

In a review for

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

, Steve Loewy wrote: "Parker is in his usually good form at both sessions... While the two sessions have ostensibly little in common... each easily stands on its own as an excellent example of the free improvisational spirit of the period." The authors of ''

The Penguin Guide to Jazz ''The Penguin Guide to Jazz'' is a reference work containing an encyclopedic directory of jazz recordings on CD which were (at the time of publication) currently available in Europe or the United States. The first nine editions were compiled by ...

'' praised the live track, calling the quartet "an astonishingly good group," and commenting: "we are increasingly persuaded that this is the line-up and these the recordings which clinched the format." A reviewer for ''

All About Jazz ''All About Jazz'' is a website established by Michael Ricci in 1995. A volunteer staff publishes news, album reviews, articles, videos, and listings of concerts and other events having to do with jazz. Ricci maintains a related site, ''Jazz Near ...

'' noted "Parker's ability to shoehorn his creativity into whatever niche is available," and stated: "''The Eyes Have It'' is essential listening for any Evan Parker fan, and a fine starting point for afficionado of free improvisation. "

Track listing

# "Aye 1" – 9:16 # "Aye 2" – 4:02 # "Aye 3" – 8:54 # "Aye 4" – 9:29 # "The Eyes Have It" – 36:30

Personnel

– tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone * Paul Rogers – bass *

– percussion, toys (tracks 1–4) *

– trombone (track 5) * Mark Sanders – percussion (track 5)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ayes Have It 2001 live albums Live free jazz albums Evan Parker live albums