Customer Reviews

Happenings

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Love this record. Great to see it finally re-issued. And hey I for one love the Reid Miles cover art. Like the music it's seductive with just the right touch of cheese. Question: wasn't "Blow Up" on this record once? I don't seem to see it here......

A great one. Right up there with Oblique and Dialogue. Not avant like those, but just a record with easy pleasures that you can listen to any time you like, and have fun listening, which is no small feat.

This was a real eye-opener for me when I first bought it as an LP back in the mid-60s. I was used to the styles of such modern hard boppers as Art Blakey and Horace Silver, and this was basically nothing like that. The most "radical" piece is THE OMEN, which is totally free and contains some of the most spirited and adventurous jazz of the 60s. Hutcherson's marimba solo is absolutely compelling, and Joe Chambers's multi-percussion voices are fascinating, culminating in an explosive ending. Herbie Hancock's MAIDEN VOYAGE gets an excellent reading: there are lots of spaces in the theme that allow a great deal of tension to build. HEAD START is the most traditional tune, taken way up tempo, and is reminiscent of SPEAK LOW. ROJO is a Latin piece with an excellent Hancock solo and a powerful Bob Cranshaw bass solo. This has to rank as one of Blue Notes most ambitious albums of the mid-60s, and one of Hutcherson's best. Nice!

Bobby Hutcherson's "Dialogue" is an undisputed modern jazz masterpiece, but in the last twenty years, the average fan would have been hard pressed to locate a second Blue Note album by the vibraphonist. Yes, many of his albums have been available as limited edition titles in the Connoisseur Series, or briefly at the dawn of the CD era before drifting out-of-print. But with the recent reissue of "Oblique" (see my review) and now "Happenings" in the RVG Edition Series, other Hutch discs are finally receiving a permanent place in the EMI catalog. Recorded on February 8, 1966, "Happenings" is the first of two memorable quartet albums the vibes-man made with pianist Herbie Hancock and drummer Joe Chambers. (Both men appeared previously on "Components," but that was a sextet date.) After penning no original material for "Dialogue" and only half of "Components," Hutch provides six of seven compositions here, with the exception being a stripped-down version of Hancock's "Maiden Voyage." With this date, Hutcherson's writing is beginning to take on a stark, modern voice, particularly on "Aquarian Moon" and the enchanting "Bouquet." After being out-of-print for more than fifteen years, I'm delighted that "Happenings" is happening once again, though I am a bit surprised that EMI didn't update the cheesy cover, as they did for "Oblique."

Hutcherson's idol was Milt Jackson.Everyone has them.I feel that's where the initial sparks of inspiration come from for any given pursuit to give one confidence and direction.But it is hard to shake off that initial and profound inspiration and find your own voice.Hutcherson's first viable breakthrough was during his tenure with the Al Grey-Billy Mitchell combo in SanFrancisco,he then worked with Jackie Mclean in New York,where he met Eric Dolphy.Which led to his contributions on Eric Dolphy's Blue Note session 'Out to Lunch'.Soon after he became a leader,and 'found his own voice','Dialogue',and 'Components,two superb records on Blue Note.His gradual exposure quickly caught the attention of Freddie Hubbard and Andrew Hill.The rest is history.
'Happenings' finds him in the company of Herbie Hancock(piano),Bob Cranshaw(bass),and Joe Chambers(drums).Joe Chambers's ideas and approach apparently
caught Tony Williams's ear.As there approaches are quite similar.What a compliment to the great maestro Joe Chambers.The quartet really smokes on 'Head Start',what a great rhythm section.Chambers is on fire,and Bobby and Herbie burn this one on both ends.Great selection of tunes.All the tunes are from Hutcherson's pen,with the exception of 'Maiden Voyage,by Herbie,another incredible writer.Hope you enjoy this one.

if you're looking to add some vibes to your jazz collection, this is a fine fine album, and would make a good choice. mr hutcherson is a fantastic vibes player, and is joined here by herbie hancock on piano, bob cranshaw on bass, and joe chambers on drums. the entire album is special, but the tune that i really want to give a shout out about is "bouquet," a stunningly gorgeous slow-tempo piece that has soul-stirring interplay between the bass and vibes. one of my favorite slow jazz numbers of all-time. if you are considering picking up a copy of this album, i say "do it!"

It's a toss up as to which album is the better of Hutcherson-Hancock colloborations (I also dig him with McCoy Tyner as well), this one or "Oblique" which was recorded 2 yrs later. It would probably be this one since I've worn out the record several times and now have played the CD more times than "Oblique". Certainly the selection of tunes like the Satie-like "Bouquet" or "When You are Near" bring out the beauty of Hutch's vibes. And let us not forget the latin-tinged "Rojo" or the modal tunes such as Hancock's "Maiden Voyage" and Hutcherson's "Aquarian Moon". All in all a classic album with the superb drumming of Joe Chambers!!