Late Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 While some titles on Blue Note are discontinued after only being available for roughly two years, Hutcherson's Components, from the innaugral Blue Note Connoisseur batch, is now in its eleventh year of being in-print. Any guesses as to why? Well, for one, the music is excellent ... but does this title sell that well? I always forget that Herbie Hancock plays organ (on "Air" only) on this one. The liner notes don't make any mention at all of this — was this Hancock's first documented recording on the instrument? Another plus to this session — those Joe Chambers compositions are wicked. I wonder if Hall Overton, Chambers' recent mentor at the time, heard this album. Apparently, there was another composer in the Chambers family: Steve Chambers, Joe's older brother. Anyone know anything about this guy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 Another plus to this session — those Joe Chambers compositions are wicked. I wonder if Hall Overton, Chambers' recent mentor at the time, heard this album. Apparently, there was another composer in the Chambers family: Steve Chambers, Joe's older brother. Anyone know anything about this guy? I don't know the answers to any of your questions, but I agree - the Joe Champers compositions are a big plus on this date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ep1str0phy Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 I've always wondered about Components myself--it's probably my favorite Hutch BN, acting as a sort of cross-section of his two, extremely distinct personalities (the free guy and the modal/post-bop guy). One could spring for an album that integrated the two--e.g., Dialogue--but I think the peaks and troughs here are really something else. That second side--with the out Joe Chambers compositions--is as free-spirited and searching as anything the extended modal BN family ever waxed (up there with the whole Moncur discography, if I do say so m'self). Upside, though, is that side one features some of Bobby's best compositions and some terrific straight-ahead ensemble interplay--James Spaulding and Freddie Hubbard, playing at the peak. There's just a sense of fun and joie de vivre to these sessions that I find on far, far too few records these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyo Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 It's a great album, about time I played it again. After finally getting my hands on Total Eclipse today the only Hutcherson BN disc that I still need is Live At Montreux - and despite looking for it all over amazon and eBay for weeks I still haven't found a copy for a decent price. The best offer right now is a ridiculous $75 from an amazon marketplace seller... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Bresnahan Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 I was told many years ago that the Connoisseur series CDs are limited to two pressings. If this title is still hanging in after so many years, it's because it isn't selling, not because it is selling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ep1str0phy Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 Is that the case with Complete Communion? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quincy Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 I don't know the answers to any of your questions, but I agree - the Joe Champers compositions are a big plus on this date. Yes indeed! It's one of those cds where it's easy as pie to get the feel for side A & side B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Late Posted September 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Was this title ever released in Japan (not as a JRVG)? I'm thinking I'd like to track down a copy. The Connoisseur's sound is so-so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Berger Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 This was among the first dozen or so Hutch CDs I bought. Definitely a great one, though not necessarily my favorite CD by the guy. Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ayers Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Am I right in thinking this was a record club release at one point? Is that why demand has stretched out? _________________________________________________ This idea is by me. I made it up. And I didn't steal the idea for this disclaimer from Lon no way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluerein Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 To my knowledge Components wasn't released in Japan at all on cd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIS Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 It's a great album, about time I played it again. After finally getting my hands on Total Eclipse today the only Hutcherson BN disc that I still need is Live At Montreux - and despite looking for it all over amazon and eBay for weeks I still haven't found a copy for a decent price. The best offer right now is a ridiculous $75 from an amazon marketplace seller... Kyo, I don't post messages often, so I don't know if this is appropriate or not (please let me know if it is not) but I have a copy of Live At Montreux that I don't play much that I would sell you if you are interested. PM or e-mail me if you would like. Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert h. Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 As Kevin said, if a Conn is still in print at this stage, it can only because it has sold poorly hence there is still stock in the warehouse. None of these titles are big sellers and pressings are limited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Late Posted September 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Following that logic, wouldn't the West Coast Classics series be easy to find? Every rant I've ever read about that series makes them out to be the worst selling line of all time. Of course, the music is great ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted September 20, 2006 Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 (edited) Following that logic, wouldn't the West Coast Classics series be easy to find? Every rant I've ever read about that series makes them out to be the worst selling line of all time. Of course, the music is great ... My guess is the WC series sold so poorly in the first pressing they declined a second and threw out the printed material. Edited September 20, 2006 by Chuck Nessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Late Posted September 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 That makes sense ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ep1str0phy Posted September 20, 2006 Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 Again, I'm assuming that Complete Communion is in the Components boat (it's listen on the BN website--hence, still in print)--but, on that level, what merited the release of Where is Brooklyn?? Musical quality notwithstanding, of course... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluerein Posted September 20, 2006 Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 If Chuck's right (don't see any reason to doubt this) we are all very lucky to have this "first Editions" prints in our collection!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Bresnahan Posted September 20, 2006 Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 I believe Chuck is right. Connoisseurs are limited to two pressings. They are not required to have two pressings. It should also be noted that the reason some Connoisseur CDs are scarce, like "The All Seeing Eye", "Basra" and "Lee Way", is because that whole batch of titles (6 in all?) had multiple pressing defects and the large return rate pretty much sucked up the whole first pressing. As for those West Coast Classic, I told Blue Note at the time of their release that something happened and the market was absolutely flooded with saw-cut promos for those titles. There was a time when it would have been very hard to find a real copy in a Boston-area store. These promos clearly stole a lot of "legit" CD sales. Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertrand Posted September 20, 2006 Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 Kevin, I know about the pressing problems with Basra (fortunately my copy is OK). What were the problems with Lee Way and All-Seeing Eye? I doubt there were only two pressings of Schizophrenia and Etcetera. Those have been around since 1995, and I'm sure they sell pretty well. Bertrand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randyhersom Posted September 20, 2006 Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 I got my Etcetera through BMG or Columbia House, I'm sure that added to the supply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Vitus Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 As for those West Coast Classic, I told Blue Note at the time of their release that something happened and the market was absolutely flooded with saw-cut promos for those titles. There was a time when it would have been very hard to find a real copy in a Boston-area store. These promos clearly stole a lot of "legit" CD sales. Kevin I can vouch for this since I was living in Boston at this time. There were so many cutouts at used stores that I figured I could get them at anytime I wanted to. Of course, the supply dried out eventually and I had to scramble late to find some of these titles (Curtis Amy's Katanga, for one). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Late Posted September 21, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Like a trooper, dumb or sincere, I payed full price for every West Coast Classics title, partly because I couldn't find them on sale anywhere, and partly because I actually thought: "If Blue Note's going to reissue this stuff, I'm going to give them my money." (Tries to verify memory ...) Wait a minute — I did buy two of them on sale through Dusty Groove. Still, it's good to own the whole lot, and I'm glad they could make an appearance. I have a friend in SF who only casually likes jazz, and he bought the Cy Touff title on my recommendation and loves it. Now ... back to Hutcherson's Components. What do you guys think of Herbie's organ playing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Berger Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 (edited) Now ... back to Hutcherson's Components. What do you guys think of Herbie's organ playing? Is there that much to say? He doesn't do a lot. Guy ed: I realized that my response to Late might be construed as rude -- that was not my intent at all! Edited September 21, 2006 by Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ep1str0phy Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Herbie's organ is functional in the way of coloration (dynamic and timbral)--again, not that much to it. It's the same basic effect as on his electric Miles appearances. I think it fits in wonderfully with the entire off-kilter vibe of the second side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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