Sun Ra - 2011 - The Eternal Myth Revealed

Sun Ra

2011

The Eternal Myth Revealed 

01-01–Michael D. Anderson Narration - Producer & Sun Ra Introduction Pt.1 9:54
01-02–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Production Introduction 0:09
01-03–Yochanan AKA The Space Age Vocalist Message To Earth Man 2:17
01-04–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Producer & Sun Ra Introduction Pt. 2 0:40
01-05–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Ruth Brown Bobby Bland & Ray Charles Interviews - The Meaning Of The Blues 2:13
01-06–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Interview – His Early Days In Alabama 0:29
01-07–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Early Blues Women 1924 – 1928 0:17
01-08–Ethel Waters With Cordy Williams And His Jazz Masters Oh Daddy 3:21
01-09–Ma Rainey With The Fletcher Henderson Orchestra Booze & Blues 3:13
01-10–Sarah Martin* With The Clarence Williams Orchestra Hole In The Wall 2:56
01-11–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Interview - His First Piano / Leading The School Band 4:44
01-12–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Luis Russell Orchestra 1929 0:13
01-13–The Luis Russell Orchestra Call Of The Freaks 3:07
01-14–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Don Redman Orchestra 0:27
01-15–The Don Redman Orchestra Chant Of The Weed 3:16
01-16–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Early Jazz Band Influences 1:10
01-17–Bennie Moten Orchestra Just Rite 2:42
01-18–Tiny Parham & His Musicians Fat Man Blues 2:36
01-19–Baron Lee & The Mills Blue Rhythm Band Rhythm Spasm 2:50
01-20–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Fletcher Henderson Influence Pt. 1 – 1931 0:16
01-21–The Fletcher Henderson Orchestra Blue Rhythm 2:49
01-22–The Fletcher Henderson Orchestra Sugar Foot Stomp 2:54
01-23–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Coleman Hawkins Interview – Hawk Remembers Fletcher Henderson 2:20
01-24–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Clarence William Band Records Sun Ra Composition 1933 0:19
01-25–Clarence Williams Orchestra Chocolate Avenue 2:56
01-26–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The John Kirby Sextet 1939 0:47
01-27–The John Kirby Sextet Anitra’s Dance 2:44
01-28–The John Kirby Sextet Opus #5 2:45
01-29–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Coleman Hawkins Orchestra Influence 1940 0:25
01-30–Coleman Hawkins Orchestra Chant Of The Groove – Coleman Hawkins Orchestra "Live" 5:24
01-31–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Interview – Remembers How Musicians Used To Dress 1:27

02-01–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra In The Military October 1942 0:20
02-02–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Interview – Sunny Remembers Fletcher Henderson 0:47
02-03–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Fletcher Henderson Orchestra “Live” 1945 0:12
02-04–Ernie Whitman Ernie Whitman & Fletcher Henderson Commentary 0:32
02-05–Fletcher Henderson Orchestra You’re Driving Me Crazy – Fletcher Henderson Orchestra “Live” 2:03
02-06–Fletcher Henderson Orchestra King Porter Stomp – Fletcher Henderson Orchestra “Live” 2:55
02-07–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Interview – Sunny Remembers Pianists Art Tatum 0:45
02-08–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Art Tatum / Erroll Garner Influence 0:53
02-09–Ernie Whitman Ernie Whitman – Art Tatum Introduction 0:29
02-10–Art Tatum Song Of The Vagabond – Art Tatum “Live” 2:43
02-11–Ernie Whitman Ernie Whitman – Erroll Garner Introduction 0:24
02-12–Erroll Garner Erroll’s Bounce – Erroll Garner “Live” 2:20
02-13–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Swing “The War Years On Radio” 1943 – 1944 1:01
02-14–Ernie Whitman Ernie Whitman Introduction 0:12
02-15–The Lionel Hampton Orchestra Loose Wig – The Lionel Hampton Orchestra “Live” 5:50
02-16–Ernie Whitman Ernie Whitman – Jimmie Lunceford Introduction 0:16
02-17–The Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra Little John – The Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra “Live” 2:23
02-18–Ernie Whitman Ernie Whitman – Benny Carter Introduction 0:05
02-19–The Benny Carter Orchestra Cuttin’ Time – The Benny Carter Orchestra “Live” 2:38
02-20–The Cab Calloway Orchestra Russian Lullaby – The Cab Calloway Orchestra “Live” 2:56
02-21–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Interview – Sunny Remembers His School Bands / Why He Left Alabama 2:28
02-22–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Wynonie Harris W/The Jumpin’ Jimmie Jackson Band 1946 0:28
02-23–Wynonie Harris With Jumpin’ Jimmy Jackson Band Dig This Boogie 2:28
02-24–Wynonie Harris With Jumpin’ Jimmy Jackson Band Lightnin’ Struck The Poorhouse 2:39
02-25–Wynonie Harris With Jumpin’ Jimmy Jackson Band My Baby’s Barrelhouse 2:47
02-26–Wynonie Harris With Jumpin’ Jimmy Jackson Band Drinkin’ By Myself 2:37
02-27–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Billy Eckstine Orchestra Influence 1944 0:32
02-28–Ernie Whitman Ernie Whitman Introduction 0:30
02-29–Billy Eckstine Orchestra Airmail Special – The Billy Eckstine Orchestra “Live” 3:37
02-30–Ernie Whitman Ernie Whitman Introduction 0:05
02-31–Billy Eckstine Orchestra Love Me Or Leave Me – The Billy Eckstine Orchestra “Live” 4:43
02-32–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Dizzy Gillespie Big Band Influence 1948 0:18
02-33–Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra Minor Walk – The Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra 4:21
02-34–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Interview – Recalls Chicago In 1946 – The Bands He Played In 1:59
02-35–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Lil Green Orchestra 1946 - 1947 1:16
02-36–Lil Green Orchestra Blowtop Blues 2:44
02-37–Lil Green Orchestra No Good Man 2:37
02-38–Lil Green Orchestra How Come You Do Me Like You Do 2:42
02-39–Lil Green Orchestra Lonely Woman 2:55
02-40–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Blues Legend Willie Dixon – The Blues Influence 0:51

03-01–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Church Organ Recordings 1948 0:19
03-02–Sun Ra All The Things You Are – Sun Ra Plays Church Organ 4:21
03-03–Sun Ra Wind In The Trees (Early Avant Garde) – Sun Ra Plays Church Organ 2:38
03-04–Sun Ra Willow Weep For Me – Sun Ra Plays Church Organ 1:24
03-05–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Piano & Solovox Recordings 1948 Pt. 1 0:17
03-06–Sun Ra With Stuff Smith Deep Purple W/Stuff Smith – Sun Ra Plays Piano & Solovox 4:07
03-07–Sun Ra Sun Ra Interview – Sunny Remembers Stuff Smith 1:34
03-08–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Piano & Solovox Recordings 1948 Pt. 2 0:08
03-09–Sun Ra Darn That Dream – Sun Ra Plays Piano & Solovox 5:04
03-10–Sun Ra With Jesse Miller Yesterdays W/Jesse Miller – Sun Ra Plays Piano & Solovox 1:00
03-11–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Piano & Solovox Recordings 1948 Pt. 3 0:07
03-12–Sun Ra If They Only Knew – Sun Ra Poetry – Sun Ra Plays Piano & Solovox 4:13
03-13–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Piano & Solovox Recordings 1948 Pt. 4 0:07
03-14–Sun Ra The Darkness Within – Sun Ra Plays Piano & Solovox 1:37
03-15–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Mary Lou Williams Composition Influence 1945 0:20
03-16–The Mary Lou Williams Trio Taurus 2:33
03-17–The Mary Lou Williams Trio Cancer 2:32
03-18–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra – His Mary Lou Williams Influenced Compositions 1948 0:14
03-19–Sun Ra Ode To Mary Lou – Sun Ra Plays Solo Piano 2:03
03-20–Sun Ra I’ve Got A Secret – Sun Ra Plays Solo Piano 1:18
03-21–Sun Ra Something In Your Smile – Sun Ra Plays Solo Piano 2:06
03-22–Sun Ra High Steppin’ – Sun Ra Plays Solo Piano 2:25
03-23–Sun Ra I’ve Got Some New Blues – Sun Ra Plays Solo Piano 1:07
03-24–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Mary Lou Williams Big Band Arrangement Influence 1947 0:16
03-25–The Milton Orent / Frank Roth Orchestra Lonely Moments 2:54
03-26–The Milton Orent / Frank Roth Orchestra Whistle Blues 2:55
03-27–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sunny And Jo Jo Adams 1947 0:43
03-28–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Junior Wells Interview – The Early Days Of Chicago Blues 0:50
03-29–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Jo Jo Adams W/Tom Archia 1:05
03-30–Jo Jo Adams With Tom Archia All-Stars Love Me 2:58
03-31–Jo Jo Adams With Tom Archia All-Stars Drinkin’ Blues 2:51
03-32–Jo Jo Adams With Tom Archia All-Stars If I Feel Like This Tomorrow 2:36
03-33–Jo Jo Adams With Tom Archia All-Stars Cryin’ By My Window 2:42
03-34–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The 1948 Record Ban / Andrew Tibbs & The Dozier Boys 1948 0:48
03-35–Andrew Tibbs & The Dozier Boys He’s Got Her And Gone 3:12
03-36–Andrew Tibbs & The Dozier Boys The Holidays Are Over 3:00
03-37–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Dozier Boys W/The Sax Mallard Band 1948 0:24
03-38–Andrew Tibbs & The Dozier Boys In A Travelin’ Mood 2:56
03-39–Andrew Tibbs & The Dozier Boys In Every Man’s Life 3:28
03-40–Michael D. Anderson* Narration – Bobby “Blue” Bland Interview – The Blues Are About Life 0:36

04-01–Michael D. Anderson* Narration – The Early Foundations Of R&B Doo Wop 0:27
04-02–Michael D. Anderson* Narration – The Dozier Boys W/The Eugene Wright Band 0:56
04-03–The Dozier Boys With The Eugene Wright Band Big Time Baby 2:16
04-04–The Dozier Boys With The Eugene Wright Band Pork-N-Beans 2:34
04-05–The Dozier Boys With The Eugene Wright Band Dawn Mist 3:24
04-06–The Dozier Boys With The Eugene Wright Band The Music Goes Down And Round 2:39
04-07–Michael D. Anderson*Narration – Sun Ra & The Red Saunders Orchestra 1948 1:21
04-08–George Floyd With The Red Saunders Orchestra Trust In Me 2:45
04-09–The Red Saunders Orchestra Synthesis 2:51
04-10–The Red Saunders Orchestra Jitterbuggin’ 3:00
04-11–George Floyd With The Red Saunders Orchestra Legs Gettin’ Bigger 2:47
04-12–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Interview – Lexington, Indiana 1949 – The Blue Grass Inn 0:35
04-13–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Sonny Blount Trio 0:31
04-14–The Sunny Blount Trio Upstairs 0:40
04-15–The Sunny Blount Trio Sunny’s Bop / Just One Of Those Things 1:21
04-16–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Interview – Sunny Speaks Highly Of Vocalist Billie Holiday 0:27
04-17–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Louis Armstrong Speaks Of Billie Holiday / Lady Day - Yesterdays 1:44
04-18–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Sings & Plays Piano 0:55
04-19–Sun Ra Smile – Sun Ra Sings & Plays Piano 6:00
04-20–Sun Ra Old Man River – Sun Ra Sings & Plays Piano 2:56
04-21–Sun Ra Sun Ra Song Introduction 0:06
04-22–Sun Ra Somewhere Over The Rainbow – Sun Ra Sings & Plays Piano 2:50
04-23–Sun Ra Out Of Nowhere – Sun Ra Sings & Plays Piano 1:23
04-24–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Interview – Recalls His Band In Chicago & Alabama A&M 1:25
04-25–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Chicago Blues Influence / Andrew Tibbs W/Leo Blevins Trio 0:29
04-26–Andrew Tibbs With The Leo Blevins Trio How Long 2:53
04-27–Andrew Tibbs With The Leo Blevins Trio I Know 3:07
04-28–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Sonny Blount Trio “Live” 1949 0:20
04-29–The Sunny Blount Trio You Go To My Head – The Sunny Blount Trio “Live At Birdland” 4:00
04-30–The Sunny Blount Trio Blue Chicago Blues – The Sunny Blount Trio “Live At Birdland” 1:18
04-31–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sugar Chile Robinson W/Red Saunders Orchestra 1950 0:38
04-32–Sugar Chile Robinson With Red Saunders Orchestra Bouncin’ The Ball 2:07
04-33–Sugar Chile Robinson With Red Saunders Orchestra I’ll Eat My Spinach 2:28
04-34–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Dorothy Donegan 1950 0:35
04-35–Dorothy Donegan With Red Saunders Orchestra D.D.D. 2:39
04-36–Dorothy Donegan With Red Saunders Orchestra Ridin’ The Boogie 2:42

05-01–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Red Saunders Orchestra W/Joe Williams #1 – 1950 0:37
05-02–Joe Williams With Red Saunders Orchestra Blow Mr. Low Blow 2:35
05-03–Joe Williams With Red Saunders Orchestra Chi (Pronounced “Shy” For Chicago) 2:14
05-04–Joe Williams With Red Saunders Orchestra Lyin’ Girl Blues 2:40
05-05–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Interview – The Innovators & The Youth 9:24
05-06–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Mary Lou Williams Jazz Organ & Piano Influence 1950 1:24
05-07–Mary Lou Williams Trio Bye Bye Blues 2:47
05-08–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Andrew Tibbs W/Sax Mallard Sextet 1950 0:55
05-09–Andrew Tibbs With The Sax Mallard Sextet You Can’t Win 3:09
05-10–Andrew Tibbs With The Sax Mallard Sextet Achin’ Heart 3:03
05-11–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra & The Unidentified Vocalist 1950 0:24
05-12–Sun Ra Pennies From Heaven – Sun Ra & The Unknown Vocalist 2:45
05-13–Sun Ra You The Night And The Music – Sun Ra & The Unknown Vocalist 3:50
05-14–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Meets Alto Saxophonist John Jenkins 1950 0:10
05-15–Sun Ra & John Jenkins Cocktails For Two / Tenderly 5:58
05-16–Sun Ra & John Jenkins The Phantom 4:32
05-17–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Interview – Hearing Legendary Blues & Jazz Bands 0:43
05-18–Michael Anderson Narration – Sun Ra & Laverne Baker Aka Little Miss Sharecropper 1950 0:49
05-19–Little Miss Sharecropper With Red Saunders Orchestra Take Some Time Out 3:03
05-20–Little Miss Sharecropper With Red Saunders Orchestra I’ve Tried 2:42
05-21–Little Miss Sharecropper With Red Saunders Orchestra How Long 2:20
05-22–Little Miss Sharecropper With Red Saunders Orchestra I Want To Rock 2:36
05-23–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Wilbur Ware / John Jenkins / Leo Blevins Rehearsals 1951 Pt. 1 0:22
05-24–Sun Ra & Wilbur Ware The Nearness Of You 2:07
05-25–Sun Ra & Wilbur Ware Sunny’s Place #1 2:37
05-26–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Wilbur Ware / John Jenkins / Leo Blevins Rehearsals 1951 Pt. 2 0:12
05-27–Sun Ra / Wilbur Ware & Leo Blevins The Man I Love 3:26
05-28–Sun Ra / Wilbur Ware & John Jenkins (2) Sunny’s Place #2 3:00
05-29–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Sun Ra Mystery Clip 0:10
05-30–Sun Ra All Alone – Sun Ra – The Celeste & Piano Recordings 0:17

06-01–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Red Saunders Orchestra W/Joe Williams #2 – 1951 0:22
06-02–Joe Williams With Red Saunders Orchestra Stop Pretty Baby Stop 2:47
06-03–Joe Williams With Red Saunders Orchestra Weekday Blues 3:10
06-04–The Red Saunders Orchestra 4AM Blues (instrumental) 3:04
06-05–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Red Saunders Orchestra W/Joe Williams #3 – 1951 0:43
06-06–Joe Williams With Red Saunders Orchestra Last Nights Party 2:39
06-07–Joe Williams With Red Saunders Orchestra Hey Bartender 2:23
06-08–The Red Saunders Orchestra Boot ‘Em Up (Instrumental) 2:52
06-09–Joe Williams With Red Saunders Orchestra Sugar Bounce 2:28
06-10–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Red Saunders Orchestra W/June Davis 1951 0:27
06-11–June Davis With Red Saunders Orchestra Gentle Lover 3:04
06-12–June Davis With Red Saunders Orchestra J.D. Blues 2:50
06-13–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Red Saunders Orchestra W/The Hambone Kids 1952 0:42
06-14–The Hambone Kids With The Red Saunders Orchestra Hambone 2:32
06-15–The Hambone Kids With The Red Saunders Orchestra Zekiel, Zekiel 2:19
06-16–The Hambone Kids With The Red Saunders Orchestra Piece Of Puddin’ 2:08
06-17–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Red Saunders Orchestra 1952 0:23
06-18–The Red Saunders Orchestra La Raspa (Instrumental) 2:54
06-19–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Paul Bascomb Band 1952 0:39
06-20–The Paul Bascomb Band Blues And The Beat 3:06
06-21–The Paul Bascomb Band More Blues, More Beat 2:33
06-22–The Paul Bascomb Band Black Out 3:12
06-23–The Paul Bascomb Band Pink Cadillac 3:14
06-24–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Charlie Gonzales W/Red Holloway Band 1952 1:57
06-25–Charlie Gonzales With Red Holloway Band Hi Yo Silver 2:40
06-26–Charlie Gonzales With Red Holloway Band Such A Darn Fool Over You 3:10
06-27–Charlie Gonzales With Red Holloway Band Hey Muscatel 3:01
06-28–Charlie Gonzales With Red Holloway Band I’m Through With You 3:07
06-29–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Interview – Building The Arkestra In Chicago 1952 4:58
06-30–Sun Ra & Pat Patrick Wonderful You – Sun Ra Meets Pat Patrick 1:59
06-31–Sun Ra & Pat Patrick A Place In My Heart – Sun Ra Meets Pat Patrick 3:30

07-01–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Afro Cuban Influence – Machito 1951 2:01
07-02–Symphony Sid Torin Symphony Sid Torin Announcement 0:35
07-03–Machito Orquesta Carambola – Machito Orquesta "Live" At Birdland – New York 4:44
07-04–Symphony Sid Torin Symphony Sid Torin Announcement 0:10
07-05–Machito Orquesta Picadillo – Machito Orquesta "Live" At Birdland – New York 5:25
07-06–Symphony Sid Torin Symphony Sid Torin Announcement 0:09
07-07–Machito Orquesta Tanga – Machito Orquesta "Live" At Birdland – New York 4:49
07-08–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Afro Cuban Influence – Perez Prado 1947 0:52
07-09–Perez Prado Orquesta Saca La Mano – Havana, Cuba 2:38
07-10–Perez Prado Orquesta Kuba Mambo – Havana, Cuba 3:06
07-11–Perez Prado Orquesta Kandela – Havana, Cuba 2:58
07-12–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Afro Cuban Influence On Sun Ra 1953 0:15
07-13–The Red Saunders Orchestra Mambo In Trumpet 2:51
07-14–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Red Saunders Orchestra W/Joe Williams #4 - 1953 0:22
07-15–The Red Saunders Orchestra Honky Tonk Train Blues (Instrumental) 3:08
07-16–Joe Williams With The Red Saunders Orchestra Probably 3:10
07-17–Joe Williams With The Red Saunders Orchestra Voodoo Blues 2:57
07-18–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Gospel Influence On R&B Doo Wop 0:56
07-19–Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet Golden Gate Gospel Train 2:34
07-20–Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet Straighten Up And Fly Right "Live" 3:10
07-21–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Wilson Pickett & Aaron Neville Interviews – The Gospel Influence 2:54
07-22–The Five Blind Boys Our Father (The Lords Prayer) 2:56
07-23–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Swing Vocal Group Era – The Cats & The Fiddle 1939 0:32
07-24–The Cats & The Fiddle Mr. Rhythm Man 2:47
07-25–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Doo Wop Influence – The Ink Spots 1944 0:21
07-26–Ernie Whitman Ernie Whitman Ink Spots Introduction 0:28
07-27–Ink Spots If I Didn’t Care – The Ink Spots"Live" 4:01
07-28–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Johnny Otis Interview – How They Created Rhythm & Blues In The Late 1940’s 0:35
07-29–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Early Days Of R&B Doo Wop Pt. 1 1:42
07-30–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Wilson Pickett Interview – The Chittlin’ Circuit 0:28

08-01–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Early Days Of R&B Doo Wop Pt. 2 0:58
08-02–Browley Guy & The Skyscrapers Blues Train 3:00
08-03–Browley Guy & The Skyscrapers You Ain't Gonna Worry Me 2:36
08-04–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Parrots W/Red Saunders Orchestra 1953 0:43
08-05–The Parrots With Red Saunders Orchestra Weep Weep Weep 3:01
08-06–The Parrots With Red Saunders Orchestra Don't Leave Me 2:52
08-07–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Spaniels W/The Red Saunders Orchestra 1953 Pt. 1 0:18
08-08–The Spaniels With Red Saunders Orchestra Since I Fell For You 2:57
08-09–Sun Ra & The Nu Sounds I Got Some New Blues 1:28
08-10–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Spaniels W/Red Saunders Orchestra 1953 Pt. 2 0:21
08-11–The Spaniels With Red Saunders Orchestra Bounce 2:04
08-12–Sun Ra & The Nu Sounds Honeysuckle Rose 3:13
08-13–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Flamingos W/The Red Holloway Band 1953 0:26
08-14–The Flamingos With Red Holloway Band Golden Teardrops 3:12
08-15–Walter Dunn & The Metros With The Sun Ra Arkestra Perfidious Lover 3:13
08-16–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Moonglows W/The Red Holloway Band 1953 Pt. 1 0:18
08-17–The Moonglows With Red Holloway Band My Love 3:02
08-18–The Cosmic Rays With The Sun Ra Arkestra Bye Bye 2:49
08-19–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Moonglows W/The Red Holloway Band 1953 Pt. 2 0:42
08-20–The Moonglows With Red Holloway Band Just A Lonely Christmas 2:25
08-21–The Moonglows With Red Holloway Band Hey Santa Claus 2:22
08-22–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Pelicans W/Paul Bascomb & The Leo Blevins Trio? 1953 0:47
08-23–The Pelicans With Paul Bascomb Band White Cliffs Of Dover 1:50
08-24–Juanita Rogers With Mr. V's Five Joys I’m Glad You Love Me 3:03
08-25–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Rockettes W/The Red Saunders Orchestra 1953 0:31
08-26–The Rockettes With Red Saunders Orchestra Love Nobody 2:34
08-27–The Nu Sounds I’m Through With You – Rehearsal 1:32
08-28–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The 5 Thrills (The Earls) W/The Paul Bascomb Band 1954 0:34
08-29–The 5 Thrills With Paul Bascomb Band Laverne 2:29
08-30–The Cosmic Rays Dreaming 2:41
08-31–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The 5 Echoes W/The Al Smith Band 1954 0:47
08-32–The 5 Echoes With Al Smith Band So Lonesome 2:48
08-33–The 5 Echoes With Al Smith Band Broke 2:20
08-34–The 5 Echoes With Al Smith Band That’s My Baby 2:22
08-35–The 5 Echoes With Al Smith Band Why Oh Why 3:12

09-01–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Interview – Sunny Remembers His Vocal Groups 0:48
09-02–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Founding Of Saturn & El Saturn Records 1954 1:44
09-03–Roland Wilson & The Nu-Sounds My Sweet – Rehearsal 1:03
09-04–Roland Wilson & The Nu-Sounds My Land Of Dreams – Rehearsal 2:00
09-05–Roland Wilson & The Nu-Sounds Dreams Come True – Rehearsal 3:16
09-06–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Interview – Describes His Music As Being Far Ahead 0:56
09-07–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The 5 Chances (W/Clyde Williams) 0:47
09-08–The 5 Chances With Clyde Williams Nagasaki 2:10
09-09–The 5 Chances With Clyde Williams Make Love To Me 2:37
09-10–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Flamingos W/The Al Smith Band 1954 0:23
09-11–The Flamingos With The Al Smith Band Dream Of A Lifetime 2:53
09-12–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The 5 Arrows W/The Paul Bascomb Band 1954 0:29
09-13–Gloria Valdez & The 5 Arrows With Paul Bascomb Band You Got Me Losing My Mind 2:22
09-14–The 5 Arrows With Paul Bascomb Band Pretty Little Thing 2:31
09-15–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Walter Spriggs W/The Red Saunders Orchestra 1954 0:38
09-16–Walter Spriggs With Red Saunders Orchestra I’m Not Your Fool Anymore 2:40
09-17–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Rhythm Aces W/Red Saunders Orchestra 1954 – 1955 0:46
09-18–The Rhythm Aces With Red Saunders Orchestra I Wonder Why 2:25
09-19–The Rhythm Aces With Red Saunders Orchestra Whisper To Me 3:04
09-20–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Maples W/The Von Freeman Band 1954 0:41
09-21–The Maples With Von Freeman Band 99 Guys 2:41
09-22–The Nu-Sounds Honeysuckle Rose 3:15
09-23–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Fortunes W/Unknown Band 1955 0:27
09-24–The Fortunes Love 2:32
09-25–The Fortunes Bread 2:35
09-26–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Early Sci-Fi Factuality Influence 5:54
09-27–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Walter Dunn “Repeto” Studio Rehearsal & Session 1956 1:11
09-28–Walter Dunn & The Metros I’ll Close My Heart – Rehearsal 2:35
09-29–Walter Dunn & The Metros When You’re In Love This Way – Rehearsal 2:08
09-30–Walter Dunn & The Metros Christina, Eugena, Marie – Studio 3:58
09-31–Walter Dunn & The Metros Perfidious Lover #2 – Studio 5:00
09-32–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Hamp Jones 1957 0:18
09-33–Hamp Jones Pack Your Clothes 2:33
09-34–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Mel London W/Unknown Band 1957 0:13
09-35–Mel London Man From The Island 2:29

10-01–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Serenaders 1957 W/Unknown Band 0:22
10-02–The Serenaders The Pajama Game – The Serenaders W/Unknown Band 2:20
10-03–The Serenaders A Sinner In Love – The Serenaders W/Unknown Band 2:11
10-04–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Supremes “Live” W/Sun Ra & His Rays Of Jazz 1958 0:21
10-05–The Supremes With Sun Ra & His Rays Of Jazz Everybody Mambo 2:14
10-06–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Odetta Interview – The Body Is The First Instrument 0:44
10-07–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra & The Early Avant Garde Organ Recordings 1953 Featuring Thea Barbara
10-08–Sun Ra Featuring Thea Barbara The Many Thoughts Of… 2:37
10-09–Sun Ra Featuring Thea Barbara The Inner Being 3:04
10-10–Sun Ra Featuring Thea Barbara The Haunted Melody 2:47
10-11–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra & The Early Avant Garde Organ Recordings 1953
10-12–Sun Ra Pennies From Heaven 2:46
10-13–Sun Ra You And The Night And The Music 3:49
10-14–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Stan Kenton New Direction Influence 0:25
10-15–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra – The Solo Piano Recordings Pt. 1 0:31
10-16–Sun Ra Ebb Tide 4:47
10-17–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Alberta Adams W/The Red Saunders Orchestra 1953 0:46
10-18–Alberta Adams With The Red Saunders Orchestra Messin’ With The Blues 2:51
10-19–Alberta Adams With The Red Saunders Orchestra Remember 2:51
10-20–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Blues Vocalist Alberta Adams – Why She Sings The Blues 0:20
10-21–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Jo Jo Adams W/The Red Saunders Orchestra 1953 0:19
10-22–Jo Jo Adams With The Red Saunders Orchestra Call My Baby 2:37
10-23–Jo Jo Adams With The Red Saunders Orchestra Rebecca 2:48
10-24–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra – The Solo Piano Recordings #2 0:10
10-25–Sun Ra I Remember You 3:44
10-26–Sun Ra The Best Things In Life Are Free 2:55
10-27–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Joe Williams W/The Red Saunders Orchestra 1953 0:30
10-28–Joe Williams With The Red Saunders Orchestra It’s Raining Again 2:44
10-29–Joe Williams With The Red Saunders Orchestra On The Blue Side 2:59
10-30–Joe Williams With The Red Saunders Orchestra Detour Ahead 2:56
10-31–Joe Williams WIth The Red Saunders Orchestra Blow Mr. Low Blow (Remake) 2:48
10-32–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Red Saunders Orchestra 1953 0:46
10-33–The Red Saunders Orchestra Summertime 2:32
10-34–The Red Saunders Orchestra Riverboat 2:55
10-35–The Red Saunders Orchestra Lawdy Lucy 2:58
10-36–The Red Saunders Orchestra Tired Of Movin’ 2:23

11-01–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Coleman Hawkins Parrot Recordings 1954 Pt. 1 1:02
11-02–Coleman Hawkins I’ll Follow My Secret Heart 3:04
11-03–Coleman Hawkins What A Difference A Day Made 3:12
11-04–Coleman Hawkins September Song 3:25
11-05–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Coleman Hawkins Parrot Recordings 1954 Pt. 2 0:10
11-06–Coleman Hawkins Blue Blue Days 2:41
11-07–Coleman Hawkins Flight Eleven 2:53
11-08–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Paul Bascomb Parrot Recordings 1954 Pt. 1 0:44
11-09–The Paul Bascomb Band Jan Pt. 1 & 2 5:57
11-10–The Paul Bascomb Band Liza's Blues 2:54
11-11–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Paul Bascomb Parrot Recordings 1954 Pt. 2 0:30
11-12–The Paul Bascomb Band Jumpin' At El Sino 2:13
11-13–The Paul Bascomb Band Alley B On Avenue C 3:08
11-14–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra And The Vee Jay & Duke Labels 1954 3:15
11-15–Michael D. Anderson Narration - Grant Jones W/The King Kolax Band 0:09
11-16–Grant Jones With The King Kolax Band What Have You Done To Me 2:54
11-17–Grant Jones With The King Kolax Band Right Now 2:48
11-18–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The King Kolax Band 0:12
11-19–The King Kolax Band Vivian 2:41
11-20–The King Kolax Band Goodnite Blues 3:00
11-21–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Billy Brooks W/The Red Saunders Orchestra 1955 0:28
11-22–Billy Brooks With The Red Saunders Orchestra Mambo Is Everywhere 2:43
11-23–Billy Brooks With The Red Saunders Orchestra Song Of A Dreamer 2:46
11-24–Billy Brooks With The Red Saunders Orchestra I Want Your Love Tonight 2:43
11-25–Billy Brooks With The Red Saunders Orchestra This Is My Prayer 2:43
11-26–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Early Sun Ra & Pat Patrick Rehearsals 1955 - The Treasure Hunt Tape 0:26
11-27–Sun Ra & Pat Patrick Of This I Know Take 1 2:18
11-28–Sun Ra & Pat Patrick Of This I Know Take 2 3:16
11-29–Sun Ra & Pat Patrick When You’re With The One You Love 3:15
11-30–Sun Ra & Pat Patrick Darn That Dream 1:58

12-01–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Billie Hawkins Rehearsal 1956 0:23
12-02–Billie Hawkins I'm Coming Home (Rehearsal) 1:00
12-03–Billie Hawkins Last Call For Love (Rehearsal) 1:05
12-04–Billie Hawkins Kiss Me Sweet (Rehearsal) 2:27
12-05–Billie Hawkins At Last (Rehearsal) 0:57
12-06–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Billie Hawkins Heat Beat Recordings 1956 0:19
12-07–Billie Hawkins I'm Coming Home (Studio Version) 2:03
12-08–Billie Hawkins Last Call For Love (Studio Version) 2:25
12-09–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Interview – Teaching The Arkestra To Play Like Swing Musicians 2:04
12-10–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Respected By Musicians / The Le Suny'r Ra Band "Live" 1956 1:13
12-11–Le Suny'r Ra Band Big City Blues 8:04
12-12–Le Suny'r Ra Band Delilah (John Gilmore Solo Feature) 4:50
12-13–Le Suny'r Ra Band Velvet 6:59
12-14–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The James Scales / Wilbur Green / Robert Barry Rehearsal 1956 0:24
12-15–James Scales / Wilbur Green / Robert Barry Somebody Else's Worlds 2:51
12-16–James Scales / Wilbur Green / Robert Barry Blues In Outer Space 4:26
12-17–James Scales / Wilbur Green / Robert Barry Space Aura (Incomplete) 1:33
12-18–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Sun Ra Visits Planet Earth Session 1956 – Velvet 0:24
12-19–The Sun Ra Arkestra Velvet Take 1 (Complete Take) 0:41
12-20–The Sun Ra Arkestra Velvet Take 2 (F/S) 0:14
12-21–The Sun Ra Arkestra Velvet Take 3 (F/S) 0:22
12-22–The Sun Ra Arkestra Velvet Take 4 (Complete Take) 2:47
12-23–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Ray Charles Interview – What It Means To Be A Good Singer 0:27
12-24–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Interview – Clyde Williams 0:10
12-25–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Clyde Williams W/Sun Ra & His Arkestra 1956 – Dreams Come True 0:39
12-26–Clyde Williams & Sun Ra & His Arkestra Dreams Come True Take 2 (Complete Take) 3:36
12-27–Clyde Williams & Sun Ra & His Arkestra Dreams Come True Take 3 (F/S) 0:08
12-28–Clyde Williams & Sun Ra & His Arkestra Dreams Come True Take 4 (Complete Take) 3:00
12-29–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Interview – Dreams Come True (Closer) 0:14
12-30–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Clyde Williams W/Sun Ra Arkestra "Live" 1958 0:19
12-31–Clyde Williams With Sun Ra Arkestra S'Wonderful 2:35
12-32–Clyde Williams With Sun Ra Arkestra Roll 'Em Pete 4:29
12-33–Clyde Williams With Sun Ra Arkestra My Funny Valentine (Added Track) 4:13

13-01–The Sun Ra Arkestra The Sun Ra Visits Planet Earth Session 1956 Pt. 1 0:20
13-02–The Sun Ra Arkestra Eve Take 1 (F/S) 0:36
13-03–The Sun Ra Arkestra Eve (Complete Unedited Version) 5:45
13-04–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Interview – Playing What People Need 0:52
13-05–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Sun Ra Visits Planet Earth Session 1956 – El Viktor 0:27
13-06–The Sun Ra Arkestra El Viktor Take 1 (Complete Take) 2:23
13-07–The Sun Ra Arkestra El Viktor Take 2 (F/S) 0:21
13-08–The Sun Ra Arkestra El Viktor Take 3 (F/S) 0:45
13-09–The Sun Ra Arkestra El Viktor Take 4 (F/S) 0:16
13-10–The Sun Ra Arkestra El Viktor Take 5 – (Master Take) 2:28
13-11–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Hattie Randolph Bud Land Rehearsal 1957 0:48
13-12–Hattie Randolph Don't Blame Me Take 1 2:54
13-13–Hattie Randolph Hattie And Band Conversation 0:20
13-14–Hattie Randolph Don't Blame Me Take 2 2:45
13-15–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Interview – Why The Band Is Called The Arkestra 0:19
13-16–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Calvin Newborn Bud Land Rehearsal 1957 0:09
13-17–Calvin Newborn Blue Space 2:38
13-18–Calvin Newborn Everything I Have Is Yours 4:37
13-19–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Sun Ra Poetry Recordings 1948 – 1982 0:12
13-20–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The Pershing Ballroom All-Star Jam 1958 0:59
13-21–The Sun Ra Arkestra Chi-Town Blues 13:22
13-22–The Sun Ra Arkestra Just You, Just Me 11:30
13-23–The Sun Ra Arkestra I Can't Get Started (Added Track) 3:21
13-24–The Sun Ra Arkestra Don't Blame Me (Added Track) 6:390

14-01–Michael D. Anderson Narration – The 1958 Yochanan Recordings 0:45
14-02–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra & His Arkestra Live At Bud Land 1958 – The John Gilmore Feature 0:41
14-03–Sun Ra & His Arkestra Just One Of Those Things 3:02
14-04–Sun Ra & His Arkestra Sophisticated Blues 5:50
14-05–Sun Ra & His Arkestra Will You Still Be Mine 7:18
14-06–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Interview – Having Discipline In His Band 1:50
14-07–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra & The Arkestra Play Pop Hits 1958 – Tequila 0:09
14-08–Sun Ra & The Arkestra Tequila / End Of Set Theme 8:16
14-09–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Hattie Randolph Records With The Arkestra 1959 0:20
14-10–Hattie Randolph With The Arkestra Round Midnight – Mono Take 1 (F/S) 0:23
14-11–Hattie Randolph With The Arkestra Round Midnight – Mono Take 2 (F/S) 0:52
14-12–Hattie Randolph With The Arkestra Round Midnight – Mono Take 3 (Master Take) 3:54
14-13–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Hattie Randolph With The Arkestra – Live At The Jazz Showcase 1976 0:19
14-14–Hattie Randolph Don't Blame Me 4:22
14-15–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra Interview – Playing Another Kind Of Music 4:05
14-16–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Producer Michael D. Anderson – Closing Comments 1:03
14-17–Michael D. Anderson Narration – Sun Ra – Closing Comments Collage 3:36
14-18 –The Sun Ra Arkestra End Music Theme – Discipline 3:50

Sun Ra's place in the evolution of jazz can be very easily lost or misunderstood, especially considering how much of Sunny's music occupies the fringes of what most people think of when they think about 'jazz.'

This box set puts it all into perspective. It's not just a collection of rare Sun Ra tracks, although there are rare tracks a-plenty (check the blogs if you want out-of-print albums). Rather, the Eternal Myth Revealed is something closer to an audiobook using music for its illustrations. With the narrator as your guide between songs, you trace the path of Sun Ra's career. The songs are a combination of Sun Ra's original compositions, rehearsal tapes, home recordings, as well as tracks by other groups that are relevant to the discussion of Sun Ra's music, such as tracks that Sun Ra wrote or arranged for other groups or tracks that are similar in style and were his inspirations. In this way, you learn what was happening in jazz at the time being discussed, and you see how Sun Ra fit into it.

As a companion piece, I recommend reading the book 'Black Music' by Amiri Baraka. It features previously published music journalism and jazz criticism from the Apple Cores column of DownBeat Magazine. Baraka is a terrific jazz critic as well as a serious jazz fan, and his words about Sun Ra's total sound environment and unique conceptual approach to music are enlightening and entertaining.

As a final word, the liner notes of this set are filled with important information about each track. Follow the audio narration for plenty of what would usually be contained in a box set's accompanying book. I think it's well worth the money, even a bargain.

The Eternal Myth Revealed is a 14 disc docu-biography of Ra's life and career, from his birth in 1914 up to 1959. In addition to his own music, it includes music he was influenced by, and a lot of stuff he may or may not have had a hand in as arranger, vocal coach, pianist or something else. Sun Ra's output was as prolific as Ellington's, and discographers have had nightmares and arguments attempting to document it accurately. This mammoth box set will raise as many questions as it sets out to answer, and will no doubt inspire controversy in a few corners. It's 17 hours of history and music, and it's riveting. I listened to it over a weekend, in two seven disc stretches. Then I dumped a bunch of the music into my iTunes.

The auteur behind this landmark is Michael D. Anderson, whose knowledge of jazz, rhythm 'n' blues, blues, Latin music and other styles is pretty staggering. His archival command of pre-war jazz and blues makes me hopeful that he will write a book about this stuff. EMR strips away element by element that almost insulting view of Ra as a hodgepodge crackpot from out of nowhere. Moving between Anderson's own narration are threads of Ra's own recollections, with relevant comments from Ray Charles, Coleman Hawkins, Bobby Blue Bland and a few other heavyweights. A vivid portrait of a black music world transforming itself emerges, as does a clear picture of Ra as a musician living at the crossroads of his time, very much a thorough professional but also a restless experimenter and (to use Uri Caine's expression) checker-outter. Ra was singular but no fluke, and Anderson does a fantastic job of tying together the threads of his influences. He knows his subject deeply, and does not shy away from editorializing and speculating. The approach is bound to infuriate the more scholarly types, but it fits Ra very well.

Anderson's musical selections—not only of Ra's own music, but of the music from which Ra drew as well, are spotless—and his taste is impeccable. The choices he makes not only illustrate why Ra would have been enchanted and influenced, but why you should be. Luis Russell, Don Redman, Bennie Moten, John Kirby and others are represented by some truly exciting Jazz Age jazz.

According to Anderson, Clarence Williams was the first to record a Ra composition—"Chocolate Street"—in 1933. Williams did not credit the song's composer. Ra was then 18 or 19. His first LP as a leader was still 24 years away (Jazz By Sun Ra, Vol 1 on the short-lived Transition label), by which point he had cultivated his space-themed presentation, and "Chocolate Street" gives us a look at the seeds. The piece is properly Ellingtonian, and also—as Anderson points out—a close melodic cousin of Irving Berlin's "Coquette." "Chocolate Street" shows us Ra as a gifted creature of his time, if nearly interchangeable with any number of Ellingtons-in-training. Anderson presents music that Ra dug into—including John Kirby, Mary Lou Williams, Jimmie Lunceford and of course Fletcher Henderson—and we can hear the influences combining in a very apparent way. In the ensuing dozen years from "Chocolate Street," jazz was exploding, and Sun Ra was collecting the resultant sparks, flames and smoke—theorizing, internalizing and developing a lot of music, even if he wasn't yet recording.

The first unrefuted appearance of Ra playing on record finds him backing the legendary blues shouter Wynonie Harris in 1946 on a session for the Bullet label, a Nashville indie. This same year Ra settled in Chicago for what would be a 15 year stay. Arguably, this was his most important period, and he was prolific.

Just how prolific? Well, this is where the arguments will likely pick up, because there is a lot of music included in the box that may or may not actually include Ra's participation. As Anderson himself notes in hundred-plus page book (whose pages are not numbered), "Most of the materials collected here were never discussed by Ra himself in later years; much here has depended on the memories of the engineers and musicians who played with Ra."

To my ears, some of this stuff doesn't have Ra's fingerprints on it. But a lot of it does. I'm speculating, but so is Anderson. It's of little consequence, because whether or not Ra was directly involved with every song on here, this is the music community in which he made his way during that time, and it does sound right together as a fully realized portrait of the time and place.

EMR is rife with fascinating prototypical jewels that are absolutely Ra—including a solo pipe organ session from 1948, early electric keyboard experiments, the Red Saunders stuff he arranged in 1953 (including cuts with vocalist Joe Williams), rhythm 'n' blues sessions, even recordings of Ra as jazz vocalist (he sounds something like Al Hibbler imitating Billie Holiday). It presents a clear and rounded picture of Ra as the consummate post-war black entertainment professional. There are early live recordings that are the important initial steps towards the Sun Ra we would come to know and very often love, culminating in a riveting 1958 live jam session that brings Ra together with no less than saxophonist Gene Ammons and trombonist Janice "Ms. JJ" Johnson. And of course, there is a generous sampling of those incredible Saturn recordings of the 1950s that established him as one of the most original and audacious big band leaders, pretty much ever.

As a document of Ra's life and musical world from 1914-59, EMR is a landmark, even a new take on the jazz biography. Except for Charles Mingus, who else could be examined in so sweeping a format? It's not really a trend waiting to catch on. And its $110 pricetag doesn't exactly encourage imitation. But it will invite speculation and touch off arguments while it stands as the definitive bio-document of this major artist. Cool.

As I said, the box includes all of the available recordings. This means that if there are four takes of a certain tune, that you get all of those four takes, one after another. So you get a pretty impressive collection of audio tracks, but presented in a scientifical, chronological way.

In between the audio tracks and Michael's comments, there's also lots of snippets of interviews to be found.

"The Eternal Myth Revealed" is an unbelievable collection of Sun Ra material. The only disadvantage is that you can not listen to it as a studio album or as a live concert, and that might be disappointing to some. On the other hand, it's part one of the ultimate Sun Ra audio documentary.

It is not an exaggeration to say that this lavishly illustrated and annotated 14-CD box is an essential addition to the shelf of every single hardcore Sun Ra fan as well as musicologists and critics. The Eternal Myth Revealed, Vol. 1 was carefully curated, assembled, annotated, and sequenced by official Sun Ra Music Archive head Michael D. Anderson and issued on his Transparency Records imprint. It traces the musical roots of Sun Ra from his earliest years up to the end of the 1950s. This is accomplished via interviews and narration by Ra, his sidemen, musicologists, historians, and other Sun Ra aficionados, as well as presenting musical selections by Ra's many influences, his contemporaries, and his own early recordings as both an artist and producer, not only in jazz, but in rhythm & blues, doo wop, poetry, blues, and more. What Anderson accomplishes by this approach is to inseparably link Ra's music to his musical peers and the development of avant-garde jazz, of course, but also indisputably to swing, bop, progressive big band, hard bop, and popular music itself. The package is spread out over nearly 17 hours, taken from a wealth of 78s, 45s, and even unreleased session and interview tapes, and feels like an obsessively documented, utterly engaging radio broadcast -- so much so that the Smithsonian should seek Anderson's collection out for enshrinement in its own archive. The CDs in the box come packaged with a 132-page 5"x10" book that follows the CDs via writings, photos, and even label scans; it is contained within a large, beautifully decorated longbox. Like other offerings on Transparency, the price tag is a steal, though the edition is limited. The Eternal Myth Revealed, Vol. 1 is a true event in the ever growing body of work that makes up Sun Ra's legacy. It is a true testament to critical and historical scholarship that establishes him as not only an innovator of truly iconic status in the musical sense, but in the larger context as one of the 20th century's true cross-cultural innovators.