Billy Higgins post-BN output (70's, 80's, 90's)

[Big Al]

Found this CD by Ned Otter called SO LITTLE TIME at the library and discovered Billy Higgins is playing on this. Man, he never slowed down, did he? You'd never know he was about to pass away shortly after this was recorded (RIP).

Which got me to thinking: all the Higgins I have is mostly on Blue Notes from the 60's, various Morgan, Mobley, & McLean dates. If he was this good shortly before he died, he must've been just as fantastic in the intervening years, none of which I've heard. So, any discussion/recommendations will be heartily appreciated!

[JSngry]

Dude, there's too much to mention!

Check it out: http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&a...961o3ep7~1~T40B

Seven pages, and you're into 1970 on page two. Even allowing for AMG's quirky dating system (who among us has heard that 1918 RCA date? ), that's a helluva lot of music made after 1969.

Dive in!

[Big Al]

You know it! I just figured this would be a good jumping-off point to celebrate any favorite recordings from that era.

[marcello]

Those Sweet Basil recordings with Cedar are favorites of mine.

[JSngry]

Knowing you, I feel safe in suggesting the Clifford Jordan/Cedar Walton/Sam Jones group's recordings.

I think you'll be well pleased.

And I might be in the minority on this one, but I really dig Higgin's work on Joe Henderson's Mirror Mirror.

But that's just the tip of a formidable iceberg. Ain't it grand?

[kh1958]

The '80s/early 90s is when I saw him, and he certainly had not slowed down. He always looked so happy when playing the drums, as well.

[felser]

Knowing you, I feel safe in suggesting the Clifford Jordan/Cedar Walton/Sam Jones group's recordings.

I think you'll be well pleased.

Agreed, the Walton/Jordan/Magic Triangle/Eastern Rebellion recordings are gems. Love Jordan's 'Glass Bead Games' album especially. Hank Mobley was with the group before Jordan, Bob Berg after him, Ralph Moore later yet. This was the highlight of Jordan's, Berg's, and Moore's (so far) careers to me.

[mikeweil]

One more vote for the Eastern Rebellion recordings in any formation - I was fortunate to see this band live three times and Higgins was a delight on every occasion!

I'd recommend his Contemporary LP as a leader Bridgework (with James Clay and Harold Land), the Don Cherry Art Deco on A&M, Geoff Keezer's Here And Now on Blue Note (1990's) .... he was always inspired.

[Nate Dorward]

Hey Clem: maybe try underlines for a time instead of slashes? It'd be easier on the eyes I assure you.

The duo with Lloyd at the end is avoidable, everything else I've heard has been excellent. Any love for the trio disc with Teddy Edwards?

[Dan Gould]

Any love for the trio disc with Teddy Edwards?

Oh hell yeah.

[jlhoots]

Any love for the trio disc with Teddy Edwards?

Oh hell yeah.

Great CD which I purchased recently from a board member.

[Guy Berger]

Hey Clem: maybe try underlines for a time instead of slashes? It'd be easier on the eyes I assure you.

The duo with Lloyd at the end is avoidable, everything else I've heard has been excellent.

Haven't heard the duo discs, but I share Nate's feelings about the other three albums.

Guy

[marcello]

There are many examples of great later day Higgins:

Jimmy Heath - Love and Understanding

Jimmy Heath - Picture of Heath ( one of the great tenor recordings )

Cedar Walton - Among Friends

Billy Higgins - Soweto ( with Bob Berg and Billy on guitar and drums )

Clifford Jordan - Night of the Mark VII

Clifford Jordan & The Magic Triangle - Firm Roots ( Voices Deep Within Me )

Clifford Jordan - The Pentagon

[mikeweil]

... and there's a beautiful CD led by bassist Anthony Cox on the German Minor Music label, Dark Metals where he even sings and plays Brazilian style guitar on two tracks - a hidden gem. Dewey Redman plays excellent on that one, too.

Edited September 30, 2006 by mikeweil

[agriffith]

Don't miss these beautiful trio recordings featuring the great Higgins!:

1) Freddie Redd: Live At The Studio Grill

2) Cedar Walton: At Pit Inn (Japanese Import) w/ SAM JONES!

3) Hank Jones/ Dave Holland/ Higgins: The Oracle

4) Hank Jones/ Ray Drummond/ Higgins: The Essence

[Eloe Omoe]

Don't miss these beautiful trio recordings featuring the great Higgins!:

1) Freddie Redd: Live At The Studio Grill

2) Cedar Walton: At Pit Inn (Japanese Import) w/ SAM JONES!

3) Hank Jones/ Dave Holland/ Higgins: The Oracle

4) Hank Jones/ Ray Drummond/ Higgins: The Essence

You can add to these an excellent trio CD by Italian pianist Guido Manusardi, "Live at the Jazz Spot" (Splasch 821-2), with Billy on drums and Trevor Ware on bass, recorded in Hollywood on July 15, 2000. One of Billy's last recordings, and a very nice one.

luca

Edited September 30, 2006 by Eloe Omoe

[Drew Peacock]

I've been listening to Charles Lloyd's Hyperion with Higgins and have really tried to focus on Billy's playing. He truely is a monster player. I'm especially impressed with how he plays around Brad Mehldau's piano solos and Grenadiers bass. I like his interaction with them better than Jorge Rossy and the trio series.

I'll be checking out some of the Billy Higgins recommendations in this thread. Thanks!

[Peter Friedman]

Billy Higgins plays on a very large number of sessions where the leader is Cedar Walton. You can't go

wrong with almost any of them. Here is just a brief sampling of other post-Blue Note recordings with Billy Higgins that I would recommend.

Tete Montoliu - Secret Love - Timeless

Junior Cook - Somethings Cookin' - Muse

Slide Hampton Quintet - Roots - Criss Cross

Frank Morgan - Lament - Contemporary

Jon Mayer - Round Up The Usual Suspects - Pullen

Rob Schneiderman - Smooth Sailing - Reservoir

Bertha Hope - In Search Of...Hope - Steeplechase

Milt jackson - The Prophet Speaks - Qwest

Edited July 15, 2009 by Peter Friedman

[fasstrack]

Found this CD by Ned Otter called SO LITTLE TIME at the library and discovered Billy Higgins is playing on this. Man, he never slowed down, did he? You'd never know he was about to pass away shortly after this was recorded (RIP).

Which got me to thinking: all the Higgins I have is mostly on Blue Notes from the 60's, various Morgan, Mobley, & McLean dates. If he was this good shortly before he died, he must've been just as fantastic in the intervening years, none of which I've heard. So, any discussion/recommendations will be heartily appreciated!

I was just listening to clips from a date of an Italian singer with Chris Anderson and David Williams and Billy. Billy and Chris were close and Billy stayed at his house in NY, so the music they made had an extra dimension. I'll try to add a link so people can check it out.

Found this CD by Ned Otter called SO LITTLE TIME at the library and discovered Billy Higgins is playing on this. Man, he never slowed down, did he? You'd never know he was about to pass away shortly after this was recorded (RIP).

Which got me to thinking: all the Higgins I have is mostly on Blue Notes from the 60's, various Morgan, Mobley, & McLean dates. If he was this good shortly before he died, he must've been just as fantastic in the intervening years, none of which I've heard. So, any discussion/recommendations will be heartily appreciated!

I was just listening to clips from a date of an Italian singer with Chris Anderson and David Williams and Billy. Billy and Chris were close and Billy stayed at his house in NY, so the music they made had an extra dimension. I'll try to add a link so people can check it out.

http://www.naimlabel.com/recording-you-don...at-love-is.aspx