Andrew Hill Select "talk about THE MUSIC" thread

[rostasi]

Only on this forum could we get from Andrew Hill to the Super K sound inside a single topic.

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Now playing: Jackie McLean - Conversion Point

[Ron S]

Yeah, everybody digs The 1910 Fruitgum Company & The Ohio Express, but anybody who knows anything about anything knows that the REAL action was with The Kasenetz-Katz Singing Orchestral Circus.

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Yeah, right. How soon they forget:

[Eric]

I burnt the set into strict chronological/session order (5 discs to keep from having split sessions) and have been listening that way. By far and away the 10-31-67 session is the sloppiest, the raggediest, the least fulfilling. Sounds like nobody had half a clue about what was going on in terms of the tunes. Maybe not even Andrew. DEFINITELY not Herbie Lewis. Some strong solos, but even most of them sound like the cats just said "fuck it" and BLEW, if you know what I mean. As close to a Train Wreck as Cuscuna is ever liable to let out of the vaults, I'm guessing.

The rest, though, is a marvellously intriguing collection of sessions that are not without problems. But most of the problems are relatively minor - strained ensembles here, botched solo entrances there, occasional moments of unfocus from the rhythm section, etc. At the time, that might have been a big deal as far as BN releasing any of this stuff, but today, more than 30 years later, hey, it's history now, so big whoop.

Reissue of the year, afaic, even if it's not a reissue. 

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Been on vacation this week and decided to revisit this set. I also created 5 separate sessions for listening on iTunes - it seemed to help me make sense of all this wonderful music. I have been through each session 2-3 times so far.

This really is a charming listen. I find each session to be both interesting and rewarding. Really a major series of work - it is like having 5 brand new Hill albums to digest and enjoy . I like the fact that the sessions have different moods and levels of accessability.

One of the nicer moments for me - the two tracks that Carlos Garnett plays on (the "with strings" sessions). Little discoveries like that remind me why I love jazz so much

Edited August 8, 2005 by Eric

[montg]

up.

i'm thinking about getting this, and I'm wondering, now that many board members have lived with this set for a year or two, how it has held up.

[Chuck Nessa]

Not sure, if the set isn't "self recommending" to you, if you would be happy. Many folks here, including me, find it endlessly fascinating but don't know your appreciation of Andrew and don't know what else you do/don't have.

[montg]

Not sure, if the set isn't "self recommending" to you, if you would be happy. Many folks here, including me, find it endlessly fascinating but don't know your appreciation of Andrew and don't know what else you do/don't have.

'self-recommending' is a good term--I enjoy Hill's music ( I have many of the Blue Notes, including the last one) and I imagine I'll like this a lot; I guess I was just wondering if, over time, this set holds up with the body of Hill's work or if it is viewed as more of a curio

[bertrand]

I think this is some of Andrew's best work - period.

Does that help

[montg]

I think this is some of Andrew's best work - period.

Does that help

actually, I just ordered it. Chuck's right, if I like Andrew Hill, it's kind of self-evident

[Rooster_Ties]

Disc #3. It's a mess. A big, fat, nasty, glorious mess.

Going on three years later, I still think Disc #3 is uber fantastic. Warts and all. Woody's playing on that first date slays me every time.

Absolutely serious, disc #3 is one of my personal "all time top 20" favorite BN discs EVER, and that's really saying something.

What are people's thoughts on this set? -- three years after many of us have had the chance to take it all in.

[danasgoodstuff]

i really like it, not as much as some of the issued at the time AH or Passing Ships, the fact that I paid $2.25 for it helps...

[B. Clugston]

Finally got around to buying this and it is fantastic music. His compositions are endlessly fascinating. A few rough spots for sure, but nothing to scare off anyone interested in Hill's music.

It's almost a year ago that Andrew left us.

[Guy Berger]

I'm 5 years late to the party and have listened to only #3 so far, but have to say it has exceeded my expectations. I realize the Oct 67 session is a bit of a mess but the musicians involved are so good it fails only in comparison to what could have been. Honestly, I like it better than "Change" (but may eventually re-evaluate.

Guy

[erwbol]

Good discussion earlier on in the thread.

This set is a real treasure trove, best consumed after acquainting oneself with the standalone Blue Note albums. Trio, strings, some great horns. The May 17, 1967 trio session ended up being my favourite.

[Eric]

Spun this all the way through today.  Wow - what a treat.  I knew the "One For One" cuts pretty well from the 1975 lp, but this thing is just chock full of intriguing and *FUN* music.

[BFrank]

Some great music, for sure. Not to mention that most of it will be very difficult to find now that it's OOP.

[David Ayers]

Still out there as an inexpensive download and on streaming services. 

[BFrank]

15 hours ago, David Ayers said:

Still out there as an inexpensive download and on streaming services. 

But probably not going to be issued again on CD any time soon.

[Rooster_Ties]

Easily (still) my favorite and most revered Select set, as evidenced by my earlier enthusiasm up-thread.

And Disk #3 is really a corker!!