HutchFan

I was hoping to see Hussain perform in March at Big Ears. Alas . . . R.I.P.

And now on to Happenings, which is my favorite Bobby Hutcherson album (on most days):

I have no difficulty whatsoever understanding that sentiment. Over the years, I've collected (nearly) everything that Hutcherson ever recorded -- both as a leader and sideman -- across his entire career. For me, Medina was the first Hutcherson album that blew my mind & made me want to hear all of his music. And it just so happens that I'm now listening to . . . Medina.

My boss gave me a $100 gift card for Christmas, so I splurged and bought three Bobby Hutcherson LPs -- Happenings, Oblique, and Medina -- even though I already have these albums on CD. Now spinning: This is the first Tone Poet I've ever heard, and -- I've gotta admit -- the AQ is remarkable. Of course, the music is stupendous. But I knew that already.

Liebman is a hustler. The man does not coast. He's continued to grow and evolve, making terrific music throughout his long career. I admire that.

More Monk: Disc 2

This again:

Just a first impression: It's excellent, comparable to The Tokyo Concert. But Gomez's bass is more prominent.

Dave Liebman Quintet - Doin' It Again (Timeless, 1979) with Terumasa Hino, John Scofield, Ron McClure, and Adam Nussbaum

NY Times obit: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/13/arts/music/martial-solal-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.hU4.okc9.O6ag4CJ_Bh6Z&smid=url-share

During my freshman year in college, I had a poster-sized reproduction of this album cover on my dormitory room wall.

Martial Solal's MPS recordings deserve an official box set treatment -- even though it'll probably never happen. I think they're the most consistently interesting albums of his career.

More Rush: