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Posted

Hmmm... it's snowing tomorrow making driving hazardous so I might not come down to NYC. The only alternative is the weekend, but I hate paying exorbitant prices for just one set... I might have to pass on this. :(

Guy

Yeah, it looks like the storm will be at it's worse during rush hour.

Saturday may be my only option.

Posted

Tell me more about this snowstorm - I was thinking of taking a bus up from DC on Saturday.

Guy,

The cover is $30 everyday, week-end or not.

Bertrand.

There is nothing in the forecast for Saturday.

Most of what hits today will be a rain/snow mix and if there is accumulation it should only be around 5 inches.

Should be all cleaned up by Friday.

I think you will be okay.

Posted

Any source to find upcoming shows and dates for Andrew Hill? The Blue Note website just lists this week's run at Birdland and I believe that his website (www.andrewhilljazz.com) is not updated and does not list any upcoming appearances any more.

Thanks,

LWayne :(

Posted

Tell me more about this snowstorm - I was thinking of taking a bus up from DC on Saturday.

Guy,

The cover is $30 everyday, week-end or not.

Bertrand.

Usually they let you catch two sets for the price of one during the week. I might come up on Saturday nonetheless.

Guy

Posted

Andrew Hill and his quintet will be playing at the New Morning here on April 8 as part of the Bose Blue Note Festival. Just when I'll be out of town :(

Sorry that you won't be able to make it Brownie but thanks for mentioning it here. My wife and I were planning a weekend in Paris after my exam in early April anyway so I was able to swing it :D .

If anyone else is interested I booked the tickets here:

[url=http://bosebluenote.fnacspectacles.com/ficheManifestation.do?codman=BOSE8]

Posted

I went to the early show last night. The expression "cold as a witch's tit" must have been conceived on a night like last night -- it was frigid outside.

Andrew's Quintet played tunes from the new album. I have not listened to the whole album, so I cannot provide a set list.

Andrew wore a dark suit with a red shirt and looked rather dapper. Of course, he played great. All of the great things about his writing and unique approch to the piano were in evidence last night.

Charles Tolliver also looked and played great. There was a full house. The band played 5 tunes. The set lasted approximately 75 minutes. One of the highlights was a Gregory Tardy clarinet solo -- I have never heard anyone (in person or on recordings) get such a beatiful tone out of that instrument.

I only hope that Andrew and Blue Note seize the opportunity and record as much music as possible.

Posted (edited)

Tell me more about this snowstorm - I was thinking of taking a bus up from DC on Saturday.

Guy,

The cover is $30 everyday, week-end or not.

Bertrand.

Usually they let you catch two sets for the price of one during the week. I might come up on Saturday nonetheless.

Guy

I saw the first set last night (Friday). Very nice laid back performance, a good representation of what the record is like. I really like the tune "Time Lines". I hope all the positive attention the latest release is receiving in the press energizes Hill to record a few more sessions for Blue Note with this quintet. A live at Birdland recording would be nice as well.

Birdland is a pricey night out, especially if you're driving in. For two people it cost me around $150 with parking, tolls and table minimums factored in. I saw Henry Threadgill downtown a few months back, two sets, two people, a few glasses of wine, total cost $65. I'm much more comfortable downtown as well.

Kevin

Edited by Kreilly
Posted

I was somewhat reluctant to take the two hour drive alone into NYC to hear Andrew Hill’s quintet at Birdland. Eventually, with the surprising encouragement of my wife I decided to enlist my father (who lives in Manhattan) to join me, selected a few recent additions to the collection for the ride and made the trip. I am glad I did.

Time Lines seems to be receiving a favorable response from both fans and critics, but in person the quintet really brings this music to life. Everyone played well. Greg Tardy was particularly impressive. This is the third time I have heard Tardy with Hill and each time he seems to be getting better. He seems to be finding all the right spaces to play within Hill’s quirky rhythms – no doubt enhanced by several years exposure to Hill’s music. Of special note was a tenor feature on a very familiar Hill ballad. Tardy’s tone was simply gorgeous and his sound filled the room. I should also mention Eric McPherson’s contribution. I have had the pleasure of experiencing Mr. Hill live about ten times over the past 18 years. One thing I realized tonight was that the drummer is very important to Hill’s individual way of approaching rhythm. This is the first time I have heard McPherson live, but he brought something new to Hill’s music. At times he and bassist John Herbert seemed to be playing two different songs, but on closer examination I could hear that the two were locked in on the underlying groove in a way that was possibly felt somewhat more than heard. Very interesting.

My only disappointment was that the set at just shy of an hour seemed to be a little short considering the amount of driving I did and the amount of money I spent. Nonetheless, what I did hear was worth the trip. Thanks again Mr. Hill.

Playlist for the drive

Andrew Hill - Time Lines

Ron Horton - Everything In A Dream

Thomas Chapin Trio plus Strings - Haywire

Mary J. Blige - The Breakthrough (For late night driving alone I often need a little booty shaking music for that last leg to bring me home)

Posted

Like Ron, I'm definitely glad I decided to go. It was a very good set (11 pm) -- not earthshaking, but I enjoyed it a lot. McPherson was great in accompaniment, though (unlike everybody else) I didn't go crazy for his solo. Greg Tardy was good. But the highlight for me was Andrew's piano playing.

Guy

Posted (edited)

McPherson also had a long solo during the first set that did not do much for me. Hill did not seem to take as many, or as long solos as everyone else. Also, sometimes he was slightly drowned out in the mix by Herbert and McPherson. What he did play and I heard, however, I enjoyed immensely. I should have also mentioned Tolliver. I heard him a couple of years ago with the Music Inc. reunion. His playing was good that night, but he seemed a little rusty from not playing in public often. His playing tonight was much stronger that the last time I heard him. So much so, that I am going to try to make one of his big band gigs in the future.

Edited by relyles
Posted

Hill did not seem to take as many, or as long solos as everyone else. Also, sometimes he was slightly drowned out in the mix by Herbert and McPherson. What he did play and I heard, however, I enjoyed immensely. I should have also mentioned Tolliver. I heard him a couple of years ago with the Music Inc. reunion. His playing was good that night, but he seemed a little rusty from not playing in public often. His playing tonight was much stronger that the last time I heard him. So much so, that I am going to try to make one of his big band gigs in the future.

I also felt that Hill's piano was drowned out in the mix at Birdland. It would be nice if Hill plays the Vanguard this summer, where the sound of the instruments is a non-issue.

I was also pleasantly suprised by Tolliver's playing. I definitely plan to be in attendance the next time his big band performs in NYC.

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