Tolle Idee, die unveröffentlichten Blue Note-Alben einzeln zu besternen und ihnen einen Namen zu verleihen. Das mache ich auch, sobald ich alles nochmal gehört habe.
Deine Bewertungen sind insgesamt sehr nachvollziehbar, allerdings unterschätzt Du meiner Ansicht nach „Change“ und bewertest das doch etwas verkopfte „Dance With Death“ zu gut. Aber das sind Details.
Ich hatte letztens das Glück, das Solo-Klavier-Album „From California With Love“ erwerben zu können. Das Album ist an sich reicht nicht an seine Meisterwerke heran, aber die Liner Notes enthalten einen längeren Text von Hill, der tiefe Einblicke ermöglicht. Hier ist er:
At the zenith of my Blue Note recordings, I found that fame and fortune were not my reward, but fame and poverty. This was hard to believe, for I had seen artists like Miles Davis, Maynard Ferguson, Oscar Peterson, etc., pass through Chicago. They weren’t surviving, but living.
At the top of my promotion, the English Rock groups were storming America. I had two alternatives: go commerical, or find a way to maintain my lifestyle. I was born with the ability to play anything, I heard, so music would be with me regardless of what road I took.
At first I became bitter and hurled insults at thise who were keeping me alive; since then I have found that I could live without condescending and create a work of art. This record is proof of that.
While making this record I had a fear – had I lost the energy and conception that New York City is alledgely supposed to give an artist? While editing my tapes I had an opportunity to hear current tapes of more promoted pianists. I must say this record is equal or superior to anything on the market. This record should give the listener many great moments. What I’m trying to do is paint a picture with my music.
Dann bedankt er sich noch bei seiner Frau LaVerne Hill.
Geschrieben im Februar 1979.
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Ohne Musik ist alles Leben ein Irrtum.