Happenings [Import, Limited Edition, Original recording remastered]

Bobby Hutcherson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 27, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Limited Edition, Original recording remastered
• Label: Blue Note Japan
• ASIN: B000034CCH
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,649,139 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Aquarian Moon

2. Bouquet

3. Rojo

4. Maiden Voyage

5. Head Start

6. When You Are Near

7. The Omen

Editorial Reviews

20-bit digitally remastered Japanese reissue on Blue Note, originally released in 1966. 2002. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One for the Ages, September 13, 2006

By 

Richard B. Luhrs (Jackson Heights, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Happenings (Audio CD)

Even by the supremely high standards of Blue Note Records in the mid-1960s, vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson's HAPPENINGS was a rare event. This superb quartet session (with Herbie Hancock on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass and Joe Chambers on drums) remains not only the pinnacle of Hutcherson's outstanding career but one of the absolute best of sixties jazz dates - no mean accomplishment on either hand.
With six originals by Hutcherson and the finest "cover" of Hancock's classic "Maiden Voyage" ever attempted, HAPPENINGS is a thoroughly modern set, but also a more mainstream one than many of Hutcherson's other recordings from the era. The brisk, edgy "Aquarian Moon" modulates flawlessly into the aching beauty of "Bouquet," both tracks making the most of the de facto chops duel between Hutcherson and Hancock which is the most crucial component of this date's success. The lack of horns allows a level of interplay between these two men - indeed, between all four men - which would be inconceivable with a larger front line. Few other jazz albums epitomize the ideal of a group of musicians thinking and playing as one quite as well as HAPPENINGS, and I mean that most seriously. From the rousing flash of "Rojo" through "Maiden Voyage"'s awe-inspiring maintenance of restrained power, the reflective yet dignified sentiment of "When You Are Near" to the inspired silliness of "Omen" (the sole avant-garde number here), everything works, connects, complements and convinces. This is a statement of musical purpose as fully realized as any you're likely to hear, and a singularly bright feather in the cap of everyone involved.
Sadly, HAPPENINGS is also one of far too many classic albums which Blue Note has been unforgivably late in reissuing Stateside. The 24-bit Rudy Van Gelder remaster of this date has existed since at least 1998, when it was released in Japan, but is only now seeing the light of day in the home of jazz (and Bobby Hutcherson). I can't imagine why this is so; but at least HAPPENINGS is happening once again, and that's something all fans of good music should be truly glad to hear.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another gem from the Blue Note vault, September 24, 2005

By 

James N. Ray "jazz lover" (Detroit,Mi. USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Happenings (Audio CD)

Bobby Hutcherson is one of my alltime favorites, though he's generally relegated to second chair vibist when compared to the likes of 'Hamp and 'Bags.---Never the less, HAPPENINGS stands as one of the master pieces of the Blue Note offerings from the 1960's.
Hutcherson shines both as musician and composer on this disc (he wrote all the tunes with the exception of Maiden Voyage,penned by Herbie Hancock).The range of moods evoked by the compositions is subtley astounding.The uptempo tunes (Aquarian Moon,Rojo and Head Start)swing gracefully and showcase the empathy between the musicians. Hancock's the perfect foil for 'Hutch with Cranshaw and Chambers rounding out a very tasteful rhythm section.
The two ballads(Boquet and When You Are Near) highlight the outing for me.They're both beautifully somber and seemingly very personal in their nature,both for the musicians and the listener.
The disc ends with The Omen,which is an interesting dash into avant gard waters.
All in all, an extremely gratifying album.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece from the sixties, April 23, 2000

By 

Ian Muldoon (Coffs Harbour, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Happenings (Audio CD)

There is not a dull note or wasted beat on this masterpiece from 1966. This is a direct replication of the original album. It swings from the first track AQUARIAN MOON and never lets up climaxing in one of my all-time favourite tracks THE OMEN, which is a nod towards free music. Six out of seven tracks are by the leader, and major jazz master Mr Hutcherson, and one by the renowned Mr Hancock - MAIDEN VOYAGE which rivals its twin on the album of the same name, one of the most famous single tracks in all modern jazz. Along with this track, there is a waltz BOUQUET with an amazing solo by Mr Hutcherson, a Spanish flavoured number, ROJO, a ballad WHEN YOU ARE NEAR, which provide a beautifully balanced programme of music. After many, many listenings over 30 years I am still touched by the feeling and inventiveness of this beautiful music. Compare it to THROB to see how lightweight THROB is (Mr Jarrett and Mr Burton). I believe BOUQUET and THE OMEN can sit quite comfortably alongside other masterpieces in the music, such as John Lewis' DJANGO, or Mr Hubbard's RED CLAY. It's one of my "can't live without this music" discs. It's also got one of the sexiest and best designed covers ever by Reid Miles.