Customer Reviews

Beautiful Day

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
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Before I bought this CD, I had read two different reviews which both said, "there's a lot going on in here". I thought that was a cop-out that left me as a potential CD buyer with no clue about whether I'd actually like the CD or not. Exactly WHAT was "going on"? WHY was it going on? These were questions that I wanted answered. So I bought the CD and I've listened to it several times now. Y'know what? There really IS a lot going in here. But let me try to give you a little more information than that.

First of all, the general sound. The reviews I'd read tended to compare A Beautiful Day to the works of Ellington or other big bands. Personally, I think the general sound is more akin to the work of Charles Mingus' larger scale recordings, in particular his "Let My Children Hear Music" record. You'll hear a lot of very exciting and imaginative performances and jazz compositions in A Beautiful Day. In the opening piece you'll hear two simultaneous sax solos; either one of these solos is exciting enough to stand on their own. In Faded Beauty you'll hear a truly beautiful melody which is played by the flute actually fade right before your ears with a technique that sounds like over-blowing. You'll hear solos that comment on the ensemble, and ensemble breaks that comment on the solos including within the song A Beautiful Day, raucous laughter that breaks out after a particularly tense sax solo. Andrew Hill is supposed to be one of today's most imaginative jazz composers and you'll hear ample evidence of that talent in the amazing number of composition techniques used throughout this offering.

So, should you buy this CD? I personally think it's one of the best CDs I've heard in awhile. I think it is large-ensemble jazz at it's very finest, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend that you buy it. The reason is that I don't know you. So, be forewarned that if you're looking for a smooth jazz style CD to use as romantic background music for a date, then A Beautiful Day won't work for you. Trying to convince someone that A Beautiful Day is romantic will likely result in a knowing glance from your date that sentences you to an endless stream of lonely Saturday nights. However if you'd like to own a CD full of very exciting jazz band performances, coupled with enough detail and imagination to provide excitement even after many, many, many listenings, then let me assure you that you'll certainly find a lot to enjoy within A Beautiful Day.

This will be looked upon as a work of genius in 40 or so years just as his blue notes from the 60s have been more popular than ever. with open ears. From the Mingus meets Weather Report opener Divine Revelation to the inspired reed work on Faded Beauty to the through composed mind f*ck of Belezza. The peak for me is New Pinnochio a relentlessy-dark piano concerto where the leader is showcased. It is best listened to at home in headphones. THIS IS NOT FREE JAZZ. It sounds like it sometimes in the dense solo sections. They're are creating textures and colors as they go, but the time is consistent. This is focused and sofisticated stuff. Stop trying to count and you'll feel the pulse. It is a shame the Nasheet and Colley combo did not record and album. I also wish Andrew were coming anywhere near Minneapolis anytime soon. Chicago would be worth it. I wish a lot of things. (sigh)

Before I bought this CD, I had read two different reviews which both said, "there's a lot going on in here". I thought that was a cop-out that left me as a potential CD buyer with no clue about whether I'd actually like the CD or not. Exactly WHAT was "going on"? WHY was it going on? These were questions that I wanted answered. So I bought the CD and I've listened to it several times now. Y'know what? There really IS a lot going in here. But let me try to give you a little more information than that.

First of all, the general sound. The reviews I'd read tended to compare A Beautiful Day to the works of Ellington or other big bands. Personally, I think the general sound is more akin to the work of Charles Mingus' larger scale recordings, in particular his "Let My Children Hear Music" record. You'll hear a lot of very exciting and imaginative performances and jazz compositions in A Beautiful Day. In the opening piece you'll hear two simultaneous sax solos; either one of these solos is exciting enough to stand on their own. In Faded Beauty you'll hear a truly beautiful melody which is played by the flute actually fade right before your ears with a technique that sounds like over-blowing. You'll hear solos that comment on the ensemble, and ensemble breaks that comment on the solos including within the song A Beautiful Day, raucous laughter that breaks out after a particularly tense sax solo. Andrew Hill is supposed to be one of today's most imaginative jazz composers and you'll hear ample evidence of that talent in the amazing number of composition techniques used throughout this offering.

So, should you buy this CD? I personally think it's one of the best CDs I've heard in awhile. I think it is large-ensemble jazz at it's very finest, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend that you buy it. The reason is that I don't know you. So, be forewarned that if you're looking for a smooth jazz style CD to use as romantic background music for a date, then A Beautiful Day won't work for you. Trying to convince someone that A Beautiful Day is romantic will likely result in a knowing glance from your date that sentences you to an endless stream of lonely Saturday nights. However if you'd like to own a CD full of very exciting jazz band performances, coupled with enough detail and imagination to provide excitement even after many, many, many listenings, then let me assure you that you'll certainly find a lot to enjoy within A Beautiful Day.

I discovered Palmetto Records in the course of expanding my Jazz collection. I listened to Andrew Hill's 60's Blue Note recordings but admit he was not one of my favorites, I decided to listen with fresh ears to his new stuff and so got "Dusk" and this one- "A beautiful day". I think his Palmetto albums are better than his 60's stuff and have excellent recording quality too. It is evident Palmetto records places great priority on presenting the music in the best light, each Palmetto disc I have sounds phenomenal. These compositions and solo improvisations border on avant-garde. I agree with the reviewer who hears Mingus in this, that was my impression also but it's further out and denser. "Dusk" reminded me a little of Miles Davis' 60's quintet recordings, specifically "Nefertiti" and "Sorcerer". That's not to say Hill does'nt have his own voice because he always has. What I'm trying to say is the music here sounds thoroughly modern while simultaneously feeling like it is from another time. That Andrew Hill did'nt really do any recording for such a long time and then appear with works of great power so late in his career is astounding. He will be missed. This cd turned out to be the perfect next step from my last Jazz purchase- "George Russell Live at Beethoven hall". I recommend "A beautiful Day" for more adventurous jazz listeners. Jazz of this quality is a rare thing in this age.

At once both dense, edgy, and achingly beautiful, this live release,recorded during a three-night run at New York's Birdland in January 2002 received well-deserved acclaim from critics, ranking high in almost every "best of" poll from that year. The band of fourteen works Hill's distinctive compositions without overwhelming, allowing from introspective soloes and Hill's own accomplished piano figures. Parts of it are reminiscent of Gershwin's jazz-like symphonies, while other moments find the band going from elegantly quiet soloes to densely layered sheets of sound. A Beautiful Day is a recording that joyfully requires repeated listenings to discern every nuance.

Andrew Hill has been one of my favorite piano players and composers for a long time. I own all of his Bluenote recordings. I was happy to see this CD come out especially after reading Gary Giddens review saying it was one of the best recordings of 2002. I don't get it. It's like so much "noodling." The band will play noisily for a while..someone takes a solo...Hill plays a few quiet passages. It doesn't swing. It sounds contrived to my ears. I've listened three times and there are some really cool baselines but this is not safisfying music to me. I don't want Andrew Hill to have to play hard bop all his life; although I'm sure I would have enjoyed that more than this recording. I'm glad Hill is still able to record and I hope he's making a good living because he's given me great joy over the years...but, not with this recording.