Black Fire

[sal]

I must add my praises for this album. Its fantastic. Everyone who hasn't heard it should do so immediately.

[mgraham333]

I have really enjoyed Black Fire. I think it has enhanced my perception and appreciation of Point of Departure as well.

How would you compare Judgement! & Smoke Stack to Black Fire?

If I had to rank the Hill that I currently have it would be:

1) Black Fire

2) Passing Ships

3) Point of Departure

4) Grass Roots

[Leeway]

Question: Where does the title, "Black Fire" derive from?

I was under the impression that the title was a reference to the civil rights movement and African-American political consciousness; however, reading the liner notes for the new RVG edition, nothing is said about the derivation of the title. Anyone have any information on that? If it was a reference to the African-American political condition, can anyone tie it to the music itself?

One note on Joe Henderson's playing, which is fine indeed, not so much for virtuosic reason, but, I think, because Henderson conveys the impression that he really understands the composer's intentions, and is working within the composition, helping to realize Hill's musical ideas. This is a classic Blue Note ensemble performance.

[ADR]

I have really enjoyed Black Fire. I think it has enhanced my perception and appreciation of Point of Departure as well.

How would you compare Judgement! & Smoke Stack to Black Fire?

If I had to rank the Hill that I currently have it would be:

1) Black Fire

2) Passing Ships

3) Point of Departure

4) Grass Roots

Taken together, "Point of Departure", "Black Fire", "Smokestack" and "Judgment" are pretty much generally acknowledged to be Andrew Hill's finest recorded work.

I don't know how I would rank them against each other because I love them all and IMO they are all essential for any fan of Andrew Hill or of 60's Blue Note "new thing"/post-bop.

[John L]

The RVG sounds great and is a HUGE improvement over the Mosaic, which sounds distant and veiled in comparision. The bass notes are also much better audible on the new remaster.

As usual with RVGs, the high treble (cymbals) is a bit overemphasised, but it doesn't affect the other instruments.

Claude: Have mercy on some of us impressionable folks who have been very content with the Mosaic up to this point!

I haven't even gotten around to selling my original McMaster Black Fire that became redundant after I purchased the Mosaic. I was not planning on shelling out again right now!

In any event, it looks like CDs are going to be obsolete soon. So there!

[Guy Berger]

I have really enjoyed Black Fire. I think it has enhanced my perception and appreciation of Point of Departure as well.

How would you compare Judgement! & Smoke Stack to Black Fire?

I haven't listened to these two much as I should have, but I would say that they aren't quite at the level of Black Fire. Still excellent and worth picking up.

Guy

[Man with the Golden Arm]

How would you compare Judgement! & Smoke Stack to Black Fire?

If I had to rank the Hill that I currently have it would be:

1) Black Fire

2) Passing Ships

3) Point of Departure

4) Grass Roots

Just my ducats.

I think "Judgement" is at the very top of my heap. You must take the piece as a whole for the absolute beauty between Hill and Hutcherson.

(and that piece should be w/o question the new JRVG+ version as the TOCJ just was not up to snuff. It was sooo audibly low (while almost too much so) that the increased boost via the jRVG treatment really sets that one apart. Crisp and clean w/o the shrillness as usual w/ those.)

SmokeStack is a whole other ballgame.

[B. Goren.]

During the 70's, Andrew hill recorded not only for BN. In 1974 & 1975 he recorded 2 excellent sessions for SteepleChase: Invitation is a trio session with Chris White & Art Lewis and Divine Revelation is a quartet session with Jimmy Vass on alt & flute. Of course you can't even compare it to what hill recorded for BN, but very good music with Andrew Hill at his best and looking for new directions.

Invitation

Divine Revelation