"The Shoes of the Fisherman's Wife Are Some Jive Ass Slippers" is a major orchestral jazz composition by Charles Mingus, released on his 1972 album Let My Children Hear Music. The piece is a rearrangement of Mingus’s earlier work, "Once Upon a Time, There Was a Holding Corporation Called Old America," which he first recorded live in 1965. For the 1972 album, Sy Johnson orchestrated, transcribed, and arranged the version that became "The Shoes of the Fisherman's Wife," conducting the recording as well12.
Musical Structure and Style
- The composition is known for its ascending chromatic chord pattern, which is presented in several distinct tempos throughout the piece1.
- It showcases Mingus’s signature blend of written orchestration and improvisation, with the band shifting seamlessly between tightly arranged passages and expressive, spontaneous sections34.
- Critics and fans often highlight the work’s emotional range, shifting from exuberant, almost balletic sections to dirge-like motifs and rousing climaxes4.
Title and Interpretations
- The title is famously enigmatic and has prompted much speculation. It is believed to be a playful, layered reference:
- The phrase "Shoes of the Fisherman" alludes to the 1963 novel and 1968 film about a Pope, referencing the tradition that the Pope, as the successor to St. Peter (a fisherman), wears the "shoes of the fisherman."
- The addition of "Wife" and "Jive Ass Slippers" injects Mingus’s characteristic humor, irreverence, and possibly social commentary. Some suggest it’s a tongue-in-cheek way of deflating grandiosity or poking fun at authority and tradition2.
- There are also possible allusions to African-American folk tunes like "Oh Dem Golden Slippers," and to the Brothers Grimm fairy tale "The Fisherman and His Wife," where shoes symbolize status and ambition2.
- Ultimately, the title’s meaning remains open to interpretation, in keeping with Mingus’s fondness for wordplay and multi-layered references.
Significance
- The piece is considered by some critics to be a magnum opus of Mingus’s later career, encapsulating his orchestral ambitions and emotional depth4.
- The album Let My Children Hear Music is often described as Mingus’s most ambitious studio project, with "The Shoes of the Fisherman's Wife" standing out for its complexity and expressive power41.
Key Details Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Composer | Charles Mingus |
| Album | Let My Children Hear Music (1972) |
| Original Version | "Once Upon a Time, There Was a Holding Corporation Called Old America" (1965) |
| Arranger/Conductor | Sy Johnson |
| Musical Features | Ascending chromatic chord patterns, multiple tempos, blend of orchestration and improv |
| Title Meaning | Layered references: papal tradition, humor, folk and fairy tales, Mingus wordplay |
| Critical Status | Seen as a late-career masterpiece, showcases Mingus’s orchestral and emotional range |
"The Shoes of the Fisherman's Wife Are Some Jive Ass Slippers" exemplifies Mingus’s genius for merging jazz tradition, personal expression, and social commentary into a single, unforgettable work14.
