pryan Posted August 26, 2003 Report Posted August 26, 2003 Well, I'm not sure if it's my new stereo system or what, but lately I've really been digging Billy Higgins' playing. There's so much subtle, but profound, nuances in his drumming that it's really astounding. Until recently, I hadn't really noticed these "little things", but I find myself going back to his many sideman appearances and listening almost solely to his playing. I have most of his dates with Lee Morgan, a few with Hank Mobley, but not much else. So the question is this: what are some good albums where Billy Higgins appears on the drums? All suggestions are welcome, not only BN, but anything up until his passing. As usual, thanks in advance. Quote
Dan Gould Posted August 26, 2003 Report Posted August 26, 2003 Paul, Billy recorded a great deal with the Cedar Walton Trio as well as with Eastern Rebellion. One of my favorite live jazz memories is seeing in person why he was called "Smilin' Billy". He truly lit up the stage! I'll have to check, but in Art Taylor's book Notes and Tones doesn't Billy talk about his belief that the drums are like a woman and should be made love to? Quote
pryan Posted August 26, 2003 Author Report Posted August 26, 2003 Dan - I heard an interview with Charles Lloyd the other night, which was taped shortly after Billy's death. Billy, one night, told Lloyd that instead of getting up on stage and playing that they should play amongst the people (ie. in the crowd). Lloyd went for it, and he and Higgins really touched the crowd, spiritually and musically. Lloyd also mentioned that, on one of his last visits to see Billy in the hospital, Higgins told him that he'd always be with Lloyd on stage. Lloyd initially took this to mean physically, but Billy told him that although he may not be there in person, he would always be with him in spirit. A little sentimental perhaps, but I enjoyed the story all the same. Quote
John Tapscott Posted August 26, 2003 Report Posted August 26, 2003 Pryan, try to find Teddy Edwards' "Harlem Tango" on Verve. It's a trio session with Christian McBride on bass and Billy Higgins on drums. It's great musically and also beautifully recorded, allowing you to hear Billy in all his glory. Quote
Dan Gould Posted August 26, 2003 Report Posted August 26, 2003 Sure, John, send Paul in search of a CD that it took me two months and the gracious help of a couple of European board members before I tracked it down! Me and Greg kissing and making up might be easier to engineer! (Actually its a great suggestion, just not an easy one to find, which is a real shame.) Quote
sal Posted August 26, 2003 Report Posted August 26, 2003 Two albums where he plays very well (and are very good albums as well) are Herbie Hancock's "Takin' Off" and Donald Byrd's "Slow Drag". There are so many others, but I can't think of them all right now. Lloyd's "Hyperion With Higgins" is a gem as well, but Billy's playing by that point was suffering due to his poor health. Quote
John Tapscott Posted August 26, 2003 Report Posted August 26, 2003 Actually, the Verve Gitanes label is distributed in Canada, (but not in the US, apparently), so Paul MAY be able to locate it more easily here. For example, the Kenny Barron Trio Live at Bradley's CD was easily avialable up here, but sadly not in the US. Quote
Guy Berger Posted August 26, 2003 Report Posted August 26, 2003 Two albums where he plays very well (and are very good albums as well) are Herbie Hancock's "Takin' Off" and Donald Byrd's "Slow Drag". There are so many others, but I can't think of them all right now. Lloyd's "Hyperion With Higgins" is a gem as well, but Billy's playing by that point was suffering due to his poor health. I actually like his playing on the Lloyd albums quite a bit. Hyperion is the weakest of the 3, though. You really owe it to yourself to listen to Higgins's work with Ornette if you haven't heard it already -- it's amazing. He also does similar stuff on Jackie Mac's Let Freedom Ring. Guy Quote
.:.impossible Posted August 26, 2003 Report Posted August 26, 2003 Here's hoping you already have... That is one of the hippest greeting cards I've ever seen Jim! Quote
JSngry Posted August 26, 2003 Report Posted August 26, 2003 I care enough to send the very best. Quote
Joe Posted August 26, 2003 Report Posted August 26, 2003 Some Billy Higgins you may otherwise miss... "Blend" Quote
BeBop Posted August 27, 2003 Report Posted August 27, 2003 Did Bridgework (w/Harold Land and James Clay on Contemporary) ever come out on CD? I rather liked that one. But I'm a tenor hound. Quote
Big Al Posted August 27, 2003 Report Posted August 27, 2003 Rent the movie ROUND MIDNIGHT (get the soundtrack while you're at it, it's wonderful too!), and you'll be able to see some great footage of Billy playing live with Dexter Gordon! Quote
bertrand Posted August 27, 2003 Report Posted August 27, 2003 Billy kicks ass on the Monk at the Blackhawk sessions. Bertrand. Quote
pryan Posted August 27, 2003 Author Report Posted August 27, 2003 Here's hoping you already have... Unfortunately, not yet. I know you've been singing its praises for quite some time now. Soon I'll find a copy, I hope. Quote
pryan Posted August 27, 2003 Author Report Posted August 27, 2003 Rent the movie ROUND MIDNIGHT (get the soundtrack while you're at it, it's wonderful too!), and you'll be able to see some great footage of Billy playing live with Dexter Gordon! I "rented" it last year from the library and really enjoyed it. Although I had forgotten that BH was on it, but now that you mention it, I do have a picture in my mind of Higgins playing in that film. Perhaps I'll get it out again. Quote
mjzee Posted October 31, 2013 Report Posted October 31, 2013 Just listened again to Mobley's "A Slice Of The Top," and was surprised to hear how Billy pushed the band, like a great big band drummer. I always knew him to have that insinuating, seductive swing, but to hear him play the toms hard and overtly, brassy cymbals shining, was truly something special. Quote
felser Posted November 1, 2013 Report Posted November 1, 2013 (edited) LOVE his playing on the title track of this: Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFrBXvG4q8k Edited November 1, 2013 by felser Quote
paul secor Posted November 1, 2013 Report Posted November 1, 2013 First heard him on Sonny Rollins' Our Man in Jazz and it's still a good one to listen to. Quote
colinmce Posted November 1, 2013 Report Posted November 1, 2013 This one turned my head around. His playing on "Ramblin'" was like nothing I'd heard previously in jazz, and his approach on those Ornette records is still very unique and forward thinking. Quote
marcello Posted November 1, 2013 Report Posted November 1, 2013 This leader date is very good. Higgins also sings a little and plays some guitar on "Bahia". A1 Soweto 9:20 A2 Clockwise 8:08 A3 Neptune 5:36 B1 Back To Bologna 8:05 B2 Bahia, Bahia, Bahia 10:20 Credits Bass – Tony Dumas Drums, Guitar, Vocals – Billy Higgins Piano – Cedar Walton Saxophone – Bob Berg Notes Recorded at Barigozzi Studios, Milano, Italy, January 21, 1979 Quote
tomatamot Posted November 1, 2013 Report Posted November 1, 2013 This leader date is very good. Higgins also sings a little and plays some guitar on "Bahia". A1 Soweto 9:20 A2 Clockwise 8:08 A3 Neptune 5:36 B1 Back To Bologna 8:05 B2 Bahia, Bahia, Bahia 10:20 Credits Bass – Tony Dumas Drums, Guitar, Vocals – Billy Higgins Piano – Cedar Walton Saxophone – Bob Berg Notes Recorded at Barigozzi Studios, Milano, Italy, January 21, 1979 Italian, Red Records a very underestimated label, for me: it`s the European "Blue Note" . Oh yeah a hell of an album. ( IMHO ) Quote
ElginThompson Posted November 2, 2013 Report Posted November 2, 2013 Revisiting this of late and Billy more than holds his own with a couple of giants. Quote
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