Which Andrew Hill should I get next?

[GA Russell]

I've had only one Andrew Hill, Point of Departure, for a number of years. It never really clicked for me until I listened to it when he passed away.

I'd like to put another in my Your Music queue.

Quite a number of you are big fans of his, so I thought you could recommend to me one that isn't too weird.

Thanks!

edit for typo

Edited September 10, 2007 by GA Russell

[Van Basten II]

What d'ya mean by not too weird.

[GregK]

get them all.

[Van Basten II]

get them all.

That would be my second answer.

[Guy Berger]

Judgment and Smoke Stack are the most straight ahead on that list. However, Black Fire is the first thing I would get after Point of Departure.

Guy

[relyles]

My suggestion is always to start from the beginning and work your way forward chronologically. But assuming you are not necessarily trying to collect the entire Hill discography, of those you listed Judgment! is probably my favorite.

[Guy Berger]

I should also add that Andrew's late 60s work tends to be more accessible than his mid 60s work. None of those seem to be on the list, but if you are interested check out Passing Ships or Dance with Death.

Guy

[John Tapscott]

Judgment and Smoke Stack are the most straight ahead on that list. However, Black Fire is the first thing I would get after Point of Departure.

Guy

Of the ones you listed, I voted for Compulsion, which is one of my favorite Hill sessions and one I look forward to hearing again and again. Of course it's challenging, yet I find it fairly accessible. I think the extra percussion gives this date a very satisfying rhythmic feel.

But overall, I agree with Guy. Go with Black Fire first.

[Kalo]

Judgment and Smoke Stack are the most straight ahead on that list. However, Black Fire is the first thing I would get after Point of Departure.

Guy

Of the ones you listed, I voted for Compulsion, which is one of my favorite Hill sessions and one I look forward to hearing again and again. Of course it's challenging, yet I find it fairly accessible. I think the extra percussion gives this date a very satisfying rhythmic feel.

But overall, I agree with Guy. Go with Black Fire first.

Another vote for Black Fire here.

Also, you might want to check out Bobby Hutcherson's Dialogue, which is practically a Hill date, since he not only plays piano on it, but also composed four out of the six tunes.

[Guy Berger]

Also, you might want to check out Bobby Hutcherson's Dialogue, which is practically a Hill date, since he not only plays piano on it, but also composed four out of the six tunes.

Dialogue is a great date and quite a showcase for Hill the composer, but it has less of Hill the pianist than albums under his own name.

Guy

[gnhrtg]

Judgment! from your list. Based on what you say, you might also enjoy his playing on Joe Henderson's Our Thing (perhaps you already have it).

Edited September 11, 2007 by gnhrtg

[RDK]

Smokestack is my favorite, with the two bassists.

For his newer stuff, Time Lines is very nice as well. Very accessible and "not too weird."

[sidewinder]

I'd recommend 'Judgement' first off - and Elvin is on fire on that one. A very compatible pairing !

Make sure to pick up 'Compulsion' though too (in fact I'd echo previous sentiments and say get the lot). 'Compulsion' is one of the great albums of the 1960s IMHO.

[tonym]

I clicked on Judgment but personally I'd go for Black Fire or Grass Roots, possibly for a twist on what he was also capable of.

[MartyJazz]

After "Point of Departure", my favorite Hill recording is "Andrew!!!" - great group and compositions featuring Hutch and John Gilmore.

Of the ones on the list, I'd go with "Judgment" - again I love the combination of Hill and Hutcherson.

Edited September 11, 2007 by MartyJazz

[Rooster_Ties]

Yet another vote for Black Fire (Black Fire is the first Hill disc I almost always suggest to people, even over Point of Departure), and my second choice for someone relatively new to Hill would be Passing Ships.

[BruceH]

I voted for Judgment, as it's one of my favorites. Apparently I'm not alone. I don't know why Black Fire wasn't on your list though, because I've got to agree with the people who say it's a logical next choice.

Edited September 11, 2007 by BruceH

[paul secor]

Hey, if you can't decide, you could always buy a Cecil Taylor record.

[jazzbo]

I say Time Lines. Buy it, help keep it from being deleted, it's an amazing recording, one of the very best of the last years.

After that. . . Black Fire. . . one of my favorite Hills. And Smokestack. . . another big favorite. And Compulsion. These would be my top four Hills on Blue Note. (I have never been a fan of Point of Departure for some reason).

Or. .. just close your eyes and choose one, you can hardly go wrong.

Edited September 11, 2007 by jazzbo

[AndrewHill]

I voted for Judgment, if I was forced to choose something accessible. Nothing really new to add here, but Blackfire/Judgment/Smokestack really make a nice companion to POD, maybe because there were all recorded mostly around the same time. For more contemporary recordings, I find myself really digging his Palmetto output, especially Dusk. If you can, hunt down But Not Farewell and Eternal Spirit from his second stint with Blue Note.

[B. Clugston]

Get Black Fire.

From your list, I'd go for Compulsion first, followed by Smoke Stack, particular if you appreciate Point of Departure's "out"-ness. Compulsion is quite adventurous in terms of the horn solos and percussion.

[clifford_thornton]

I would buy all of them in some order or another...

[Uncle Skid]

I would buy all of them in some order or another...

Yes, and if you still can't decide, go ahead and buy all of them anyway, plus two Cecil Taylor records.

[GARussell]

Thanks for your input guys!

I've added Judgment! to my queue. I'll keep in mind that a number of you suggested Black Fire, and if I see it on sale before Judgment rises to the top of the queue maybe I'll get it instead.

[Kalo]

Buy them all!

Surrender!

Buy them all!