Buck Hill, Relax

[Nate Dorward]

Hill is not a figure I know well--in fact I think the only recording I have is his sideman appearance on a Shirley Horn disc. The Penguin Guide notes that he's one of the US's most notable "regional" jazzmen (in his case Washington DC). The rest of the band's unfamiliar to me--John Ozment on the Hammond A100, Paul Pieper on guitar, Jerry Jones on the drums. I guess what I like most about the disc is that, in an unfussy way, it's not easy to pin down to a period style--there's a modern, post-fusion spin to the organ trio at points, with a certain Scofieldishness to the guitar at times too, but Hill doesn't sound out of place. Perhaps you could best compare the disc, in a way, to the intimacy & jazz-period-collapsing feel of Joe Henderson's So Near So Far--in fact, there's a run of 3 Miles Davis tunes on here ("Flamenco Sketches", "Prancing" and [the first] "Milestones"). There's a modern-sounding "Little Bossa" which might have pleased Larry Young, an "Old Folks" which would have pleased Jimmy Smith. Hill doesn't go in for spotlit oratory or craggy grandeur--it's more about gracious but quiet self-expression, a kind of unfussy stillness and deep exploration of mood. (It's got "character", not in the sense of "lots of quirks" but in the sense of "strength of character".) Lovely music, which I think would be of interest to Organissimo denizens as an instance of a no-frills but strong and ultimately rather haunting tenor+organ combo date ("Sad Ones" at the end in particular).

[Larry Kart]

Buck Hill is a terrific player. If I had to describe him -- which seems to be surprisingly diffcult for me to do --

I 'd say he's halfway between Dexter Gordon and Von Freeman, though the problem is that a reasonable person could argue that there is no such place. Perhaps what I mean is that Hill would be halfway between them if Von were as endlessly inventive as he is but a fair bit less quirky. BTW, I recall another Hill disc I used to have with Ozment (on piano or maybe electric piano) and I think some of those other guys, recorded outdoors at a jazz festival, where each track began at the tail end of the head and faded out just before the head returned -- I assume in order to avoid paying licensing fees, because on each track Hill was clearly was improvising on the changes of a standard or a familiar jazz original (which ones exactly I no longer recall -- though Hill was in good form, I got rid of the disc because the fade outs were so annoying; Hill is as likely to play something fine there as anywhere else).

[bertrand]

Buck is a wonderful musician, I have had the pleasure of seeing a number of times and he never disappoints.

Jerry Jones told me about this record, Buck's first with an organist (who his regular pianist, BTW). Paul Pieper is also a fabulous player (just missed him Thursday).

I will get this ASAP. I've got to hear 'Flamenco Sketches' with organ!

Bertrand.

Edited July 30, 2006 by bertrand

[Eloe Omoe]

Hill is not a figure I know well

You should check out his first two Steeplechase records ("This Is Buck Hill", 1978, and "Scope", 1979), both with Kenny Barron, Buster Williams and Billy Hart. They still sound terrific to me.

luca

[Nate Dorward]

Yes, I hope to check out some of his earlier releases. Though I hope to avoid that one Larry mentions with the heads trimmed off! -- What struck me most, listening to the disc, was that without being a craggily idiosyncratic grand-old-master kind of tenor player Hill still has a knack for taking each tune at a perceptibly different angle, so that (for instance) the pacing, tone, degree of ornamentation are quite different from track to track. It's a very subtle reshaping that's going on.

& yeah, "Flamenco Sketches" is lovely!

[jeffsjazz]

Kudos 4 Buck !

I concur what has been said.I recently received this cd and it has proved popular with my Italian listeners.It is well recorded,interesting songs,nice solos and good groove.Dig Buck ?

Jeffsjazz

[Dan Gould]

In addition to the titles mentioned above, Buck recorded several times for Muse. I don't know how easily they can be found, but each has its charms. Capital Hill features Buck with a Barry Harris led rhythm section. The Buck Stops Here features the under-recorded Johnny Coles in the front line, again with Barry Harris on piano. I'm Beginning to See the Light and Impulse are all Buck, this time with John Ozment on piano.

All are well worth tracking down. Its good to see a new recording, as there have been rather big gaps between the chances he's had in the studio.

[jazzkrow]

I reviewed this CD for Audiophile Audition-www.aud.aud and found it to be one of the best CDs I had reviewed in months. the combo of the Hammond and Buck's warm, emotional tone was a clear winner. I cannot recommend this CD enough!

Classy from beginning to end!

Anybody loving the Hammond/tenor connection will love this old school sounding CD.

Edited July 31, 2006 by jazzkrow

[bertrand]

Buck will be at Blues Alley soon. I'll try to see if he's got the organ that night. I need this CD!

Bertrand.

[mrjazzman]

Buck never got national attention because he was a D.C. Postman until he retired, at the same time making some beautiful music. The SteepleChase releases, Scope and This Is Buck Hill, are my favorites................

Edited August 1, 2006 by mrjazzman

[king ubu]

"The Buck Stops Here" is indeed enjoyable, even more so since Coles is present as well! Hill also has discs out on Steeplechase, of which I have one - they seem all to be fine as well!

I'll have to look for this new one Nate, sounds good indeed!

[makpjazz57]

Buck will be performing a CD release gig at the following location in the D.C./Maryland area:

http://www.sabangrestaurant.com/jazz.html

Sabang's Restaurant in Wheaton, MD on Saturday August 5

and...

Blues Alley (as mentioned already) on August 21.

Buck also does an annual gig at the East Coast Jazz Festival in Rockville, MD and that happens every Presidents' Day weekend.

Marla

[bertrand]

I may try to go.

Bertrand.

[mailman]

This one came in the mail about 2 hours ago. Listening to it now and it sounds wonderful. I've always been partial to this guy. Guess why.

[gslade]

Yep , listening to this one right now.

I got it earlier this summer but it was in a mislabled box and lost in the move

I think I am going to have to track down those earlier steeplechase albums