Search - Andrew Hill :: Smoke Stack

Smokin' "Stack"

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 02/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Andrew Hill's "Smoke Stack" has been previously available on CD via a Connoisseur series title and a Mosaic Set, but had been out-of-print (and expensive) for many years, until now. With the pianist making a much deserved return to the Blue Note fold with his new "Time Lines" (available 2/21), the label has been making great efforts to put out his back catalog recently -- see my reviews of "Black Fire" and "Judgment!" if you desire. This continues with the reissuing of this December 13, 1963 session, sandwiched between the two aforementioned recordings as all three albums were made over a two-month period! This date features an expanded trio, if you will, of both Richard Davis and Eddie Kahn on bass, and Roy Haynes on drums. This lineup produces intricate, yet subtle modern improvisations, full of varied textures and a surprisingly full sound. There are a lot of similarities between the sound of "Smoke Stack" and Hill's classic "Point of Departure," despite the fact that this disc features no horn or reed players. Like its original CD issues, the RVG "Smoke Stack" contains three alternate takes not on the original vinyl. Those interested in the incredibly original music of Andrew Hill, make sure to pick up this reissue, but also support an artist still making music by buying "Time Lines" next week!"

You take the good with the... less good.

Pharoah S. Wail | Inner Space | 07/24/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Recorded on 12/13/63 by Andrew Hill - piano, Richard Davis & Eddie Kahn - basses, Roy Haynes - traps.



I distinctly think some Andrew Hill albums are better than others, and for me this is not one of the best ones. It's not Andrew or the compositions, though. For me, back in this era I feel there were a couple things most bassists (even the best, like Richard Davis) did not do particularly well. One is arco playing and the other is going up into the higher frequencies. It's in evidence here. The higher some bassists go, the worse their touch and intonation becomes. My other main problem with this album is that sometimes I get tired of Roy Haynes almost constantly, lightly skittering and twittering around. Sometimes I want him to seriously lay it down, but he rarely does. In terms of his overall sound or attack here, half the time you could probably convince people he's playing a tambourine if they aren't "music people". Given all the drummers Hill recorded official albums with, I'm of the mindset that none were more perfect for his particular vision(s) than Joe Chambers. I'd have much rather had these same compositions executed by a trio version of this band with Chambers on traps.



Still, this isn't a bad album. It's just not one of his peak albums. I really like most of it, but unlike his best albums where the entire band pulls me in, on Smoke Stack the bulk of my attention is always on Hill's beautiful and inventine piano playing. If you're borderline obsessed with Andrew's music but just haven't had the money or time to pick this one up yet, you'll find his playing to be great here but I don't think you'll consider this one of the best line-ups. If you're mainly curious to hear him without horns but you can only afford one new cd and you don't have Judgment!, I'd get that one. If you're mainly curious to hear something with a 2 basses, 1 drummer line-up, I'd skip this and Conquistador and opt instead for the incredible The All-Star Game (Alan Silva, William Parker - bass, Hamid Drake - drums).



If nothing else, the previous 5-star review and my 3-star review will mix for a 4-star average."