The Hawk in Hi Fi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Released1956
RecordedJanuary 17, 18 and 20, 1956
The Hawk in Hi Fi
Studio album by
Coleman Hawkins with Billy Byers and His Orchestra
Released1956
RecordedJanuary 17, 18 and 20, 1956
StudioWebster Hall, New York City
GenreJazz
Length69:01 CD reissue with additional tracks
LabelRCA Victor
LPM 1281
ProducerJack Lewis
Coleman Hawkins chronology
Accent on Tenor Sax
(1955)
The Hawk in Hi Fi
(1956)
The Hawk in Paris
(1956)

The Hawk in Hi Fi is an album by saxophonist Coleman Hawkins with an orchestra arranged and conducted by Billy Byers. It was recorded in early 1956 and released on the RCA Victor label.[1][2][3][4]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStar[5]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz RecordingsStarStarStarHalf star[6]

Scott Yanow of AllMusic states: "Hawkins is the main soloist throughout, and he was still very much in his prime 33 years after he first joined Fletcher Henderson's orchestra; in fact, the upcoming year of 1957 would be one of his finest. However, Byers' arrangements are more functional than inspired, and some of these selections are more easy listening than they are swinging".[5]

On PopMatters, Matt Cibula noted "Every song here is pretty amazing. Byers’ arrangements are like simple rings on which Hawkins’ solos are beautiful diamonds. It might get a little soupy at times but there is nothing sentimental about any of these tracks, and there is real wit and verve and intelligence behind every choice here. And when they swing, they swing it hard. 'I Never Knew' rocks along very nicely, as do a couple more Hawkins originals; 'His Very Own Blues' and a new version of 'Bean and the Boys' entitled '39"-25"-39"' must have set many a late-‘50s dancefloor on fire. The alternate takes are not revelatory—they sound a whole lot like the finished versions, with the solos maybe not quite as sharp".[7]

Track listing

Personnel

References

Related Articles

Wikiwand AI