The Hawk Relaxes --VS-- At Ease With.....

[chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez]

Was trying 2 decide between one of these but i went with the former because it was a brand new rvg- not that i care about that type of stuff but it looked good so i got it but i was wondering what you guys think re: comparing these 2 albums, which one do u like more etc

[Shawn]

When it comes to Moodsville albums, many times it's the song selection that will help me decide what to purchase (if I'm stuck trying to decide). With these two particular sessions, I have to give The Hawk Relaxes the edge...but just barely...

It's all a matter of personal taste, but they are both very worthwhile & enjoyable sessions in my opinion.

[Stereojack]

These are very similar records - Hawk fronting a rhythm section in a program of standards. I bought "At Ease" very early on in my musical development, so I have a closer affinity with it. Didn't catch up with "Relaxes" until some years later, but objectively speaking, these are both fine sessions, and you wouldn't regret picking up either one.

[RDK]

Punctuation. It's your friend. -_-

[Stereojack]

Just for curiosity's sake, I looked up Hawkins on AMG, and found Scott Yanow's reviews of these two records. Does this moron have any idea how to listen to music? Oh, I get it it - the tempos are slow, so these are "background music". And he finds Hawkins' moving rendition of Greensleeves on "Coleman Hawkins Soul" (one of my all time favorite tracks) "insipid"!

Fucking idiot. This is why I stopped reading record reviews. I know more than these writers do. Lots more - I have ears.

I urge younger fans who are still discovering the music not to place any credence in bullshit like this!!!

[AllenLowe]

I've been trying to warn you guys about Yanow -

[Larry Kart]

Definitely "At Ease." Hawkins is in fine form on both, but I recall Dan Morgenstern complaining (and, having listened again, I agree) that the drummer on the "The Hawk Relaxes," Andrew Cyrille, often plays for some damn reason in an arch, almost businessman's bounce, "two"-feel manner -- as though he thought Hawkins's music were some kind of tired old man proposition. Either that or at this relatively early stage in his career, Cyrille didn't have enough experience to comfortably handle a walking-ballad groove. I'm not normally a big Osie Johnson fan (he's the drummer on "At Ease"), but he knows what to do.

[marcello]

Jack - Hawk playing Greensleeves is so soulful and so powerful, that it belongs in the realm of High Art.

Yes, with a capital H and A!

Tommy Flanagan, Coleman Hawkins, Major Holley & Eddie Locke

[chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez]

vvvvveeeeeeerrrrrrrrryyyyyy eeeeeeeennnnnnnnttttrrrrrreeeesssstttttiiiiinnnnnnggggg

[jazzbo]

Hmmm. . . for me it's Relaxes. . . and it's got the edge because of Cyrille, who I am not always crazy about. Go figure. And excellent Carter as well. Who I am not always crazy about.

[Stereojack]

I went back and listened to this record with Larry's comments about Cyrille in mind, and I'm not sure I agree. I get the impression that Cyrille is (consciously or otherwise) going for an Art Blakey kind of groove here. While there are no uptempo tracks, there are a couple on which a medium tempo groove is established, and Cyrille's heavy emphasis on the backbeat, primarily with his hi hat, contributes to the head-shaking kind of feel that we associate with Art Blakey. Also, we have another excellent soloist in Kenny Burrell, so I am revising my comment that these sessions are similar. "At Ease" is a much more low key date, while "Relaxes", although the emphasis is on ballads, does actually cook in places. I reiterate that Hawk is in fine form on both.

[Shawn]

I went back and listened to this record with Larry's comments about Cyrille in mind, and I'm not sure I agree. I get the impression that Cyrille is (consciously or otherwise) going for an Art Blakey kind of groove here. While there are no uptempo tracks, there are a couple on which a medium tempo groove is established, and Cyrille's heavy emphasis on the backbeat, primarily with his hi hat, contributes to the head-shaking kind of feel that we associate with Art Blakey. Also, we have another excellent soloist in Kenny Burrell, so I am revising my comment that these sessions are similar. "At Ease" is a much more low key date, while "Relaxes", although the emphasis is on ballads, does actually cook in places. I reiterate that Hawk is in fine form on both.

Exactly, totally agree.

[Dave James]

For me, it's "At Ease" by a nose. Mainly because of the opening number, "For You, For Me, For Evermore". I've had a soft spot for that tune since the very first time I heard it. If one can find oneself in a "no win" situation, then there has to be a "no lose" counterpart. Having to choose between the two of these recordings is a case in point.

Up over and out.

Edited May 25, 2006 by Dave James

[Soulstation1]

Punctuation. It's your friend. -_-

THE ONLY THING MISSING IS ALL CAPS

[paul secor]

Have to agree with Jazzbo, Jack, & Shawn. I like both records, but 'Relaxes' is the one I'd choose if I had to. For me, 'Relaxes' has a bit more life to it, and I think that Cyrille has something to do with that. I'm sure that Larry Kart and Dan Morgenstern hear what they hear, but I hope that Larry's post doesn't put anyone off from listening to or buying 'Relaxes'.

[chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez]

ok ok i had a fun time listening 2 it and it was good to hear coleman hawkins 40 odd years after his death in such lively spirits in my living room and i really enjoyed the cd but as a mood music album, 'gilded hawk' still blows it out of the water

[Claude]

i really enjoyed the cd but as a mood music album, 'gilded hawk' still blows it out of the water

You're lucky! Very few people have that album.

[Joe]

Whatever happened to Ronnell Bright?

[Dave James]

Don't know what happened to him, but wasn't he more of an accompanist than a soloist? I know he backed backed Sarah Vaughn for awhile and others. I really like his style. Nothing fancy, just nicely swinging. I have a CD of his on the Savoy label I got years ago, one of the old purple-backs. I think it's called "Bright Spot" or "Bright Moments", something like that. It's pretty good. I just downloaded a nice set off e-music from the Jazz in Paris series that features Bright and another pianist by the name of Art Simmons. Solid.

Up over and out.

[Spontooneous]

Ronnell's alive and well and focused on ministry and having a happy retirement. Not seeking any gigs, but loves to talk music and observe the scene. (Talked to him just a few weeks ago.)

[Chuck Nessa]

Whatever happened to Ronnell Bright?

Last time I saw him was with SuperSax.

[Peter Friedman]

I prefer "AT EASE" and the reason is the piano player. Ronnell Bright has never been one of my favorites. Tommy Flanagan on the other hand is one of my very favorite jazz piano players. That difference between Bright and Flanagan makes AT EASE the definite winner over RELAXES for me personally. Hawkins plays very well on both sessions.

[Stereojack]

I prefer "AT EASE" and the reason is the piano player. Ronnell Bright has never been one of my favorites. Tommy Flanagan on the other hand is one of my very favorite jazz piano players. That difference between Bright and Flanagan makes AT EASE the definite winner over RELAXES for me personally. Hawkins plays very well on both sessions.

On this point I agree with you. Bright is certainly no Flanagan, and he is pretty much under wraps on "Relaxes". Burrell, on the other hand, is a plus on this session. Each session has its strengths and its weaknesses.