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Freddie Hubbard's Greatest

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Topic: Freddie Hubbard's Greatest
Posted By: dreadpirateroberts
Subject: Freddie Hubbard's Greatest
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2011 at 8:47am
Hi everyone. I tried this poll at PA and not sure enough of the Jazz fans there saw it (or it sucked) and wanted to try here.

I'm interested to hear what everyone thinks is Freddie's greatest album as a leader. (as a sideman might be a future poll ie: his great work on Herbie Hancock's Maiden Voyage) And any 'other' albums you might care to add would be fine too. I've stuck mostly to his early work (and most of his CTI output too) though one of his 80s albums, Outpost is supposed to be great so I threw that in there though I've never heard it.

The challenge can be, when you justify your vote (if you've got time) try and limit yourself to less than 3 reasons.

I'll kick off with First Light (I know, obvious choice) for the following reasons:

1. A mix of relaxed and more energetic soloing from Hubbard
2. A fine cast of backing musicians
3. Highly influential (on the 'smooth jazz' genre for instance (sadly perhaps) but this album is in no way bland for me)

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Replies:
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2011 at 10:00am
I haven't heard all of these, I do have a modest collection of Hubbard albums, but I do like "Red Clay". I also like "Black Angel". and a very weird avant-garde record called "Sing Me a Song of Songmy".
I need to look at my records to refresh my memory on some of these.


Posted By: dreadpirateroberts
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2011 at 10:39am
Love Red Clay - especially the live version on the CD. The band is in fine sync and hearing the crowd (or each other) egg them on is super. And I think Billy has a little extra snap to his playing on that track, compared to Lenny's studio take.

Excellent, I will Black Angel and Sing Me a Song... now, especially interested to see how Freddie sounds on a avant-garde album.


-------------
We are men of action. Lies do not become us.
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Posted By: js
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2011 at 10:42am
Originally posted by dreadpirateroberts dreadpirateroberts wrote:

Hi everyone. I tried this poll at PA and not sure enough of the Jazz fans there saw it (or it sucked) and wanted to try here.

I'm interested to hear what everyone thinks is Freddie's greatest album as a leader. (as a sideman might be a future poll ie: his great work on Herbie Hancock's Maiden Voyage) And any 'other' albums you might care to add would be fine too. I've stuck mostly to his early work (and most of his CTI output too) though one of his 80s albums, Outpost is supposed to be great so I threw that in there though I've never heard it.

The challenge can be, when you justify your vote (if you've got time) try and limit yourself to less than 3 reasons.

I'll kick off with First Light (I know, obvious choice) for the following reasons:

1. A mix of relaxed and more energetic soloing from Hubbard
2. A fine cast of backing musicians
3. Highly influential (on the 'smooth jazz' genre for instance (sadly perhaps) but this album is in no way bland for me)

One of the more interesting things about his later 70s LPs is how he would make albums that you would think were sort of commercial, but then he'd always throw in a couple high energy, almost free post bop workouts.
Many of those albums are very eclectic in a good way, ranging from funk to post bop to pop jazz and whatever else he felt like. Very original artist.
On further reflection though, I think my favorite with him is the first two VSOP albums with Herbie, his playing is so powerful and intense on those records. To some jazz fans, the ensemble playing on those records is a bit bombastic, but I likes it.


Posted By: Kazuhiro
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2011 at 10:51am
I always like work in the 60's that Freddie Hubbard did. Of course, the album announced by CTI might be high-quality. I go to First Light if it chooses from the list. Fantasy In D quotes the melody of Ugetsu of Art Blakey though it is a bytalk. The melody is fantastic. In addition, Mark Murphy knew Red Clay that Hubbard had done though it was a bytalk. And, it went to the house of Hubbard and it questioned on Mark Murphy ardently. The purpose of it is to hear the reason why Hubbard chose Red Clay. Please refer to Red Clay that Murk Murphy did if it is interested.


Posted By: Abraxas
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2011 at 11:15am
I've only heard 4 of his records, and my favourite is probably Straight Life.

Blue Spirits is very good though.


Posted By: js
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2011 at 11:42am
Originally posted by Abraxas Abraxas wrote:

I've only heard 4 of his records, and my favourite is probably Straight Life.

Blue Spirits is very good though.
I thought maybe I had that one, but it turns out I have "Super Blue". I believe he was very prolific with the album output.


Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2011 at 11:52am
Heard a few albums (from the library, quite a few years ago), but he's on my list in the coming monthsfor a revisit of his stuff!!
 
Obviously can't vote now!
 
 


-------------
my music collection increased tenfolds when I switched from drug-addicted musicians to crazy ones....



Posted By: dreadpirateroberts
Date Posted: 11 Jul 2011 at 8:05am
Originally posted by js js wrote:

Originally posted by dreadpirateroberts dreadpirateroberts wrote:

Hi everyone. I tried this poll at PA and not sure enough of the Jazz fans there saw it (or it sucked) and wanted to try here.

I'm interested to hear what everyone thinks is Freddie's greatest album as a leader. (as a sideman might be a future poll ie: his great work on Herbie Hancock's Maiden Voyage) And any 'other' albums you might care to add would be fine too. I've stuck mostly to his early work (and most of his CTI output too) though one of his 80s albums, Outpost is supposed to be great so I threw that in there though I've never heard it.

The challenge can be, when you justify your vote (if you've got time) try and limit yourself to less than 3 reasons.

I'll kick off with First Light (I know, obvious choice) for the following reasons:

1. A mix of relaxed and more energetic soloing from Hubbard
2. A fine cast of backing musicians
3. Highly influential (on the 'smooth jazz' genre for instance (sadly perhaps) but this album is in no way bland for me)

One of the more interesting things about his later 70s LPs is how he would make albums that you would think were sort of commercial, but then he'd always throw in a couple high energy, almost free post bop workouts.
Many of those albums are very eclectic in a good way, ranging from funk to post bop to pop jazz and whatever else he felt like. Very original artist.
On further reflection though, I think my favorite with him is the first two VSOP albums with Herbie, his playing is so powerful and intense on those records. To some jazz fans, the ensemble playing on those records is a bit bombastic, but I likes it.


Yes! They had wonderful appeal and accessibility and yet, he always turned it on its head at some point. I was once listening to First Light at work and a colleuge asked me if it was Kenny G (during a trumpet solo by the way Wink) and  I had to explain who Hubbard was, and showed them one of the more harder, funk/hard bop tracks. Not sure they got it, but it was nice to talk about Jazz at work.

Ah! The VSOP albums! I really, REALLY want to get them - especially the live one, but it's still around 40 something dollars (before shipping) on Amazon, and unavailable at my local retailers. Hoping it will come down a tiny bit soon.  Bombastic sounds good to me too, js!


-------------
We are men of action. Lies do not become us.
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Posted By: dreadpirateroberts
Date Posted: 11 Jul 2011 at 8:09am
Originally posted by Kazuhiro Kazuhiro wrote:

I always like work in the 60's that Freddie Hubbard did. Of course, the album announced by CTI might be high-quality. I go to First Light if it chooses from the list. Fantasy In D quotes the melody of Ugetsu of Art Blakey though it is a bytalk. The melody is fantastic. In addition, Mark Murphy knew Red Clay that Hubbard had done though it was a bytalk. And, it went to the house of Hubbard and it questioned on Mark Murphy ardently. The purpose of it is to hear the reason why Hubbard chose Red Clay. Please refer to Red Clay that Murk Murphy did if it is interested.


Hubbard usually does a great job of the other people's work, doesn't he? Like the Paul McCartney cover and 'Lonely Town' from the On the Town musical too.

Wow, thanks for the Mark Murphy cover - I had no idea there was a vocal version. Fascinating idea, not sure I'd invest in one of his albums, but I thought that was a very interesting idea. He really gets the lyrics to fit the mood of the song too.


-------------
We are men of action. Lies do not become us.
http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/dreadpirateroberts%28member%29.aspx?reviews=all/" rel="nofollow - Reviews...


Posted By: dreadpirateroberts
Date Posted: 11 Jul 2011 at 8:19am
Originally posted by Abraxas Abraxas wrote:

I've only heard 4 of his records, and my favourite is probably Straight Life.

Blue Spirits is very good though.


Another superb album. 'Mr Clean' is so good on that one!  I must look into 'Blue Spirits' haven't got it. What do you like about it? I see McCoy Tyner is on it with some tracks. It sounds like I'll be adding it to my collection soon!

Originally posted by Sean Trane Sean Trane wrote:

Heard a few albums (from the library, quite a few years ago), but he's on my list in the coming monthsfor a revisit of his stuff!!
 
Obviously can't vote now!
 


Looking forward to seeing what you choose - hopefully someone can challenge the lead First  Light seems to have!


-------------
We are men of action. Lies do not become us.
http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/dreadpirateroberts%28member%29.aspx?reviews=all/" rel="nofollow - Reviews...


Posted By: js
Date Posted: 11 Jul 2011 at 9:01am
Re VSOP albums, around here they might show up in a used record store for under $10. I still have the original LPs I bought way back when.


Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: 11 Jul 2011 at 10:04am
Originally posted by dreadpirateroberts dreadpirateroberts wrote:

 
Originally posted by Sean Trane Sean Trane wrote:

Heard a few albums (from the library, quite a few years ago), but he's on my list in the coming monthsfor a revisit of his stuff!!
 
Obviously can't vote now!
 


Looking forward to seeing what you choose - hopefully someone can challenge the lead First  Light seems to have!
 
As you probably can figure out, I'll go for the 67-73 albums first (hey, boys will be boysEmbarrassedBig smile)
 
Soooo at first glance, I'd say Straight Life, Red Clay, Black angel, Soul Together or First Light
 
 
But i'll be sure to investigate Ready For Freddie, Open Sesame & Breaking Point as well.
 
 
 


-------------
my music collection increased tenfolds when I switched from drug-addicted musicians to crazy ones....



Posted By: dreadpirateroberts
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2011 at 8:28am
Originally posted by js js wrote:

Re VSOP albums, around here they might show up in a used record store for under $10. I still have the original LPs I bought way back when.


Damn, $10 is pretty damn good. I'm a few hours away from a large music shop with a broad selection of genres stocked, my local store would import things like VSOP from amazon, which I can always do myself.  Wow, the vinyls must be rare?


-------------
We are men of action. Lies do not become us.
http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/dreadpirateroberts%28member%29.aspx?reviews=all/" rel="nofollow - Reviews...


Posted By: dreadpirateroberts
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2011 at 8:30am
Originally posted by Sean Trane Sean Trane wrote:

Originally posted by dreadpirateroberts dreadpirateroberts wrote:

 
Originally posted by Sean Trane Sean Trane wrote:

Heard a few albums (from the library, quite a few years ago), but he's on my list in the coming monthsfor a revisit of his stuff!!
 
Obviously can't vote now!
 


Looking forward to seeing what you choose - hopefully someone can challenge the lead First  Light seems to have!
 
As you probably can figure out, I'll go for the 67-73 albums first (hey, boys will be boysEmbarrassedBig smile)
 
Soooo at first glance, I'd say Straight Life, Red Clay, Black angel, Soul Together or First Light
 
 
But i'll be sure to investigate Ready For Freddie, Open Sesame & Breaking Point as well.
 
 


All quality albums, there (though I've only read reviews of Black Angel to judge from)

Breaking Point is probably more 'moving forward' I guess, and albums like Ready & Open are solid hard bop records. 'Open Sesame' is a killer title track too


-------------
We are men of action. Lies do not become us.
http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/dreadpirateroberts%28member%29.aspx?reviews=all/" rel="nofollow - Reviews...


Posted By: js
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2011 at 9:00am
Originally posted by dreadpirateroberts dreadpirateroberts wrote:

Originally posted by js js wrote:

Re VSOP albums, around here they might show up in a used record store for under $10. I still have the original LPs I bought way back when.


Damn, $10 is pretty damn good. I'm a few hours away from a large music shop with a broad selection of genres stocked, my local store would import things like VSOP from amazon, which I can always do myself.  Wow, the vinyls must be rare?
The VSOP vinyls aren't that rare yet, I'm going to make a total guess and say possibly under $20 a piece on ebay.


Posted By: Matt
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2011 at 3:00pm
"Open Sesame" of course its Hard bop and its on Blue Note. I have not heard every album listed but the majority of his Blue Note stuff yes.I have "Red Clay" and "The Artistry Of Freddie Hubbard".  "Goin Up" and "Ready For Freddie" I like as well but all his Blue Note albums are good.

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Matt


Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: 13 Jul 2011 at 12:45pm
Ive heard most of these. I voted Straight Life

However, I recently discovered an album from 1972 or 73 called Liquid Love, and it's a very solid jazz-funk album; and I never knew it existed. I was considering voting "other" for it.


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http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm


Posted By: dreadpirateroberts
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2011 at 2:47am
Originally posted by js js wrote:

Originally posted by dreadpirateroberts dreadpirateroberts wrote:

Originally posted by js js wrote:

Re VSOP albums, around here they might show up in a used record store for under $10. I still have the original LPs I bought way back when.


Damn, $10 is pretty damn good. I'm a few hours away from a large music shop with a broad selection of genres stocked, my local store would import things like VSOP from amazon, which I can always do myself.  Wow, the vinyls must be rare?
The VSOP vinyls aren't that rare yet, I'm going to make a total guess and say possibly under $20 a piece on ebay.


That isn't too bad at all, I wonder if I shouldn't invest in vinyl and CD for those, though I haven't had vinyl shipped to me before, as I usually pick it up from stores etc, but assume most senders have the skills to package it properly. Vinyl just seems to much less suited to our rough-hands postal service Wink

Originally posted by Matt Matt wrote:

"Open Sesame" of course its Hard bop and its on Blue Note. I have not heard every album listed but the majority of his Blue Note stuff yes.I have "Red Clay" and "The Artistry Of Freddie Hubbard".  "Goin Up" and "Ready For Freddie" I like as well but all his Blue Note albums are good.


Hey Matt, yeah! I love 'Open Sesame' & 'Ready' too, that era of his is pretty darn solid. And he has even got Tyner McCoy on one of those sessions from memory, which is impressive for a young player. He had the moves.

Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:

Ive heard most of these. I voted Straight Life

However, I recently discovered an album from 1972 or 73 called Liquid Love, and it's a very solid jazz-funk album; and I never knew it existed. I was considering voting "other" for it.


'Straight Life' has some punch, huh? Will check out Liquid Love, it must be after 'Sky Dive' which is where I've stalled on Hubbard's discography, as I can't find a copy. Thanks for the tip!



-------------
We are men of action. Lies do not become us.
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: 30 Oct 2011 at 1:32pm
I only have Red Clay, Straight Life, and First Light of his, so I won't vote.  Of those, First Light is my favourite (good Fusion), but I think Red Clay the greatest.


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"Anyone can make the simple complicated. Creativity is making the complicated simple" (Charles Mingus).


Posted By: dreadpirateroberts
Date Posted: 30 Oct 2011 at 6:41pm
Originally posted by Logan Logan wrote:

I only have Red Clay, Straight Life, and First Light of his, so I won't vote.  Of those, First Light is my favourite (good Fusion), but I think Red Clay the greatest.
 
A great triligoy of albums there, huh? Red Clay is pretty muscular, but I think I anothe reason I voted for First Light - was perhaps for the ballads, as much as the more fusion-pieces. Hubbard was a nice romantic player I reckon


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We are men of action. Lies do not become us.
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: 30 Oct 2011 at 11:36pm
Originally posted by dreadpirateroberts dreadpirateroberts wrote:



Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:

Ive heard most of these. I voted Straight Life

However, I recently discovered an album from 1972 or 73 called Liquid Love, and it's a very solid jazz-funk album; and I never knew it existed. I was considering voting "other" for it.


'Straight Life' has some punch, huh? Will check out Liquid Love, it must be after 'Sky Dive' which is where I've stalled on Hubbard's discography, as I can't find a copy. Thanks for the tip!



Oh yea, Straight Life is some solid jazz-funk, with an all star cast lineup. Pretty much essential for a 70s jazz collection.


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http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm


Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2011 at 3:14am
this treminds me that I still have to listen to some more albums of Hubbard

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my music collection increased tenfolds when I switched from drug-addicted musicians to crazy ones....



Posted By: dreadpirateroberts
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2011 at 7:17am
^ What have you got so far, Sean?


-------------
We are men of action. Lies do not become us.
http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/dreadpirateroberts%28member%29.aspx?reviews=all/" rel="nofollow - Reviews...


Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2011 at 9:07am
I kind of think Straight Life will be tough to beat... I found Red Clay rather old game for its release date, except fotr the closing track;
 
 
I just reserved Sky Dive, First Light and Breaking point next
 
Then  will rent Liquid Love and Open Sesame


-------------
my music collection increased tenfolds when I switched from drug-addicted musicians to crazy ones....



Posted By: dreadpirateroberts
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2011 at 7:14pm
That live cut of Red Clay is magic, huh? Cool, I'd second all of those! Open Sesame is a great hard bop, and First Light is possibly my favourite, features his ballad playing quite nicely. Keen to hear what you think of Breaking Point as I've not heard it yet

-------------
We are men of action. Lies do not become us.
http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/dreadpirateroberts%28member%29.aspx?reviews=all/" rel="nofollow - Reviews...


Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2011 at 3:27am
mmmmhhh!!!... That Liquid Love album is a fantastic fusion album... especially the two lengthy tracks.

-------------
my music collection increased tenfolds when I switched from drug-addicted musicians to crazy ones....



Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2011 at 5:15pm
Liquid Love is fuuuuuuuuuunky

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http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm


Posted By: Kazuhiro
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2011 at 6:01pm
I voted for "First Light" before. And there is an album of the 70s in this list. However, I really like the performance that I performed in Art Blakey&JM about his performance.


Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2011 at 3:03am
I just reviewed First Light and to be honest, it's hardly my fave....
 
insufferable and over-whelming string section splattered all over the flipside... no thanks.
 
This could gather some thoughts about being tagged as Third Stream, rather than First Light LOL


-------------
my music collection increased tenfolds when I switched from drug-addicted musicians to crazy ones....



Posted By: dreadpirateroberts
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2011 at 5:19am
Originally posted by Sean Trane Sean Trane wrote:

I just reviewed First Light and to be honest, it's hardly my fave....
 
insufferable and over-whelming string section splattered all over the flipside... no thanks.
 
This could gather some thoughts about being tagged as Third Stream, rather than First Light LOL


Third Stream, eh? I dunno Wink But it is string heavy -probably part of which I like it. And the second side has some of Freddie's most effective ballad-playing for me. Nice and relaxed, not trying to cram every note on a scale in etc Smile


-------------
We are men of action. Lies do not become us.
http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/dreadpirateroberts%28member%29.aspx?reviews=all/" rel="nofollow - Reviews...


Posted By: darkprinceofjazz
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2011 at 7:42pm
Any of the Blue Notes are worthy, most CTI's are good too, I have always liked Breaking Point. especially  "Far Away" That "is" my favorite Hubbard track, I love the Vibe on that one, The album Blue Spirits is killer too.


Posted By: dreadpirateroberts
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2012 at 7:06am
^ I've still got to get 'Breaking Point' - it's on my list. I should bump it up the order.

And Sky Dive if it ever gets reissue!


-------------
We are men of action. Lies do not become us.
http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/dreadpirateroberts%28member%29.aspx?reviews=all/" rel="nofollow - Reviews...



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