Kicker

Kicker

ASIN: B000000YPX

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson had carved out a reputation recording on a number of classic sessions for Blue Note records when he was signed by the fledgling Milestone records in 1967. The versatile Henderson would prove to be a workhorse in the Milestone studios over the next decade, but his debut, The Kicker, was an auspicious first album for his new connections. At the time Henderson had been working in a cooperative with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard and drummer Louis Hayes, and Hayes was the drummer on The Kicker. Veteran bassist Ron Carter and the talented pianist Kenny Barron completed the rhythm section, while trumpeter Mike Lawrence and trombonist Grachan Moncur joined Henderson on the frontline. Henderson wrote several songs, including the title track, for the album. --John Swenson

Tracks:

If Ever I Would Leave You
Mirrors
For Duke P.
The Kicker
Step Lightly
Bedouin

Amazon.com

The Kicker is an example of a fabulous recording never released for reasons totally unrelated to the quality of the music. This swinging December 1963 session was actually Bobby Hutcherson's first as a leader for Blue Note, but the more adventurous Dialogue, from April 1965, was the first released under the visionary vibraphonist's name. Hutcherson, guitarist Grant Green, saxophonist Joe Henderson, and pianist Duke Pearson--the same mainstream lineup used on Green's Idle Moments date a month earlier--fill The Kicker with bluesy, in-the-pocket jams. Its soulful sounds contrast sharply with the more radical studio work Hutcherson had created previously on Jackie McLean's One Step Beyond and Grachan Moncur's Evolution or would do later on Andrew Hill's Judgment and Eric Dolphy's Out to Lunch. Thus, a year after it was made, the comparatively conventional album was deemed unrepresentative of Hutcherson's artistry--he had since become a member of the Archie Shepp quartet--and it remained in the can for 36 years, until this 1999 release. --Mitchell Feldman

Customer Reviews:

STRAIGHT AHEAD HUTCHERSON.......2005-05-06

If you like your jazz straight ahead and you love vibes, don't listen to the reviewer below. THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL FIVE STAR SESSION. And one of Hutcherson's best recordings. It's been described as somewhat disjointed because Grant Green plays on only the last three tracks, but it lends a little variety to the mix. Most of the tracks are Tenorman Joe Henderson's compositions. Yes, a lot of people rave about DIALOGUE, but it's too avant-garde for my taste. This one has been long out of print and the price is a little steep. I seem to have a hard time finding coherent straight ahead vibes playing like this, so to me it was worth every penny. I hardly ever agree with Cook and Morton of PENGUIN'S GUIDE TO JAZZ, but here's what they had to say about this reissue: "The KICKER wasn't available until 1999, an astonishing oversight on Blue Note's part... it remains a mystery that this record should have been considered so marginal that it lay in the vaults for 30 years."

If you like the straight ahead feel of this recording, of course you'll also want Grant Green's IDLE MOMENTS which includes the same line-up. But, you should also check out Dexter Gordon's GETTIN' AROUND. An underrated album in Dexter's Blue Note catalog as far as I'm concerned. And it showcases some beautiful vibes playing by Hutcherson.

Enjoy.

Decent, But No 5 Star Session.......2000-02-22

I bought this CD when I saw it in the store simply on the stength of the line-up and it's performance on Grant Green's "Idle Moments." While I concur that this is not as good a recording, I would add that it has a less compelling, patch-work quality to it. Also, Duke Pearson's piano playing is poorly miked on some tracks and Grant Green only plays on half the tracks. Good stuff nontheless, but no masterpiece...If you want a good Bobby Hutcherson intro get "Dialogue"; it's a classic.

Better Late Than Never?.......1999-11-22

It's interesting to note that in the liner notes to Grant Green's The Matador, described this session as "somewhat disappointing." Now, Cuscuna has mostly just praise for The Kicker, though he does point out similar to the amazon review that this was a much more straightforward Hutcherson than most of the public was used to.

I'm rather surprised as Hutcherson did play on some avante garde sessions with Eric Dolphy, Andrew Hill, Jackie McLean, and Archie Shepp, but for every avante garde session, there was another like Grant Green's Idle Moments, or his Streets of Dreams (with Larry Young and Elvin Jones). And, Hutcherson recorded several straight ahead sessions himself like 1966 session called Stick-Up! with Billy Higgins. That one is beautiful, straight ahead jazz. And albums like Patterns (with James Spaulding and Joe Chambers) are relatively straightforward.

Anyways, The Kicker. The album is great. The same lineup as Grant Green's Idle Moments (with Green appearing on only 3/6 tracks), The Kicker perhaps lacks the intamacy of Idle Moments, but shines much brighter. There are obviously easy comparisons to both. They were recorded with the same personel, a month apart. Songs contributions come from Joe Chambers (who's not on the session), Duke Pearson (who is), Joe Henderson (two here), and Bobby H (1), plus a standard to finish it off.

The standard is If Ever I would Leave You, and it's quite pretty. But it's the second song, Mirrors, by Joe Chambers that really caught my eye. It's slow and sensuous, and kind of has that Joe Chambers style to it. It's interesting to hear it though with Al Harewood on drums. For Duke P. is for Duke Pearson (though was only named by Hutcherson for this release in 1999), is great... medium to up tempo and has some ultra-cool vibes playing. The last three songs each have Green on them which changes the scene a bit. Joe Henderson's, The Kicker has been recorded by just about everone, and is given a good, standard treatment here. Step Lightly is something pretty like what we would have found on Idle Moments. Bedouin was already familiar to bass player, Bob Cranshaw, and Grant Green as they played it on Green's The Matador. It's interesting to hear both versions. Above all, The Kicker is great Bobby H. Like I said, it may not be as great as Idle Moments... though what is? There is some great playing by everyone here. Joe Henderson was really coming to his own, and his tenor sax playing is unique and perfect for this setting. Bobby Hutcherson is always good, whether straight ahead or avante garde. Green rules. And Duke Pearson, Al Harewood, and Bob Cranshaw make for a kickin' rhythm section. I love Pearson in particular and find his piano playing to be quite subtle and fun to listen to in the mix. Focusing on his playing is great. So get the album. It's a good one. Especially for one that took 35 years to release!

I f you like Grant Green's Idle Moments, this is for you.......1999-11-05

I really didn't know what to expect from this reissue, and I was floored that this session was never put out. It blows me away. I love Grant Green, and he is only on half on the cd, but the whole cd is strong. You will not be dissappointed.

Average customer rating:

good, if not excellent, date
The Kicker
Kickin' it with The Kicker

The Kicker
Joe Henderson Sextet
Manufacturer: Ojc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Tetragon
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ASIN: B000000YPX
Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

Mamacita
The Kicker
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Mo'Joe

Amazon.com

Tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson had carved out a reputation recording on a number of classic sessions for Blue Note records when he was signed by the fledgling Milestone records in 1967. The versatile Henderson would prove to be a workhorse in the Milestone studios over the next decade, but his debut, The Kicker, was an auspicious first album for his new connections. At the time Henderson had been working in a cooperative with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard and drummer Louis Hayes, and Hayes was the drummer on The Kicker. Veteran bassist Ron Carter and the talented pianist Kenny Barron completed the rhythm section, while trumpeter Mike Lawrence and trombonist Grachan Moncur joined Henderson on the frontline. Henderson wrote several songs, including the title track, for the album. --John Swenson

Customer Reviews:

good, if not excellent, date.......2004-09-27

I always consider this album is overrated. Henderson blows OK with familiar licks. But he does not extend enough, both in time and in creativity. Most songs are less than 4-5 minutes.
I would rather recommend Tetragon for Milestones date or any blue note dates.

The Kicker.......2001-07-21

This album is great for Joe's arrangement of "Without a Song" using Coltrane changes in the A section. I think the only detractors are the trombone (often out of tune) and some of the horn parts in the arrangements can be a little crazy sounding. Joe plays his [butt] off as always and the rhythm section is an all star cast (Kenny Barron, Ron Carter, Louis Hays) If you are a Joe Henderson fan you should probbably have this one.

Kickin' it with The Kicker.......2000-08-19

I stepped into Millenium Music in Durham, NC one day and I saw on the jazz preview rack The Kicker, so I popped on the headphones...and boy was I in for a treat! It's a real chill album, maybe not as deep as some other more widely publicized and praised jazz albums, yet the album doesn't get half the recognition due to it. It's exciting in some parts, yet has a wonderful chill value all throughout the album; songs that stood out for me included "Without a Song", "Nardis", and "O Amor Em Paz". This album is even great for those just getting their feet wet in jazz, it doesn't take a great depth of appreciation for jazz to fall in love with this wonderful CD (as I proved with one of my friends). So for avid and not-so-avid jazz fans alike I highly recommend this album for your jazz collection.

Average customer rating:

disapointing
brilliant work
factory/cog/industry/cattle
factory/cog/industry/cattle

Kicker in Tow
Hangedup
Manufacturer: Constellation
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00006L3YX
Release Date: 2002-10-29

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Moment For The Motion Machine
No More Bad Future
Motorcycle Muffler
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Broken Reel

Customer Reviews:

disapointing.......2006-06-26

i really liked the song broken reel. its the reason why i bought the album. heard it on pandora.com. but when the album arrived and i got to listen to the rest of it i was very disapointed becuse the album comprised of songs that seemed to go nowhere. Its mainly the voilin player experimenting with a bunch of effects while the drummer sort of keeps up. Sometimes they'll get a good sound going but it never really develops into anything and at the end of the "song" your left wondering what it was you just spent six minutes listening to. Certain songs convey moods well, particularly broken reel, and sink, but the rest of the names to the songs seem arbitrary. Also, each song, save perhaps broken reel and sink, are repetive to the point of annoyance. They just seem to go on and on and on, like this post. My advice is to try to listen to the songs b4 you buy it, cause you might get disapointed like me. not that i don't like experimentalism and moody rock, but this goes too far, into the realm of the non sensical. and i know, i know, i'm a horrible speller. peace

brilliant work.......2004-12-07

As weird as it may sound - a duo of Viola and Drums - it makes a perfectly beautiful sound. Just recieved my copy yesterday and it's great, I love the first track so beautiful and EXPLOSIVE. It's quite similar to some of A silver Mount zion works, bar the guitar of course. Try it, you won't be disappointed!

PS : and try to buy it from independent sources - or even better : direct :D

factory/cog/industry/cattle.......2003-04-15

dead can dance, einstuerzende neubauten & eastern european gypsy music & the movies kafka, 1984 & soylent green came to mind when i first heard 'kicker in tow'. for a duo playing just drums & viola with the occasional hiss of steam or the anvil striking steel, hangedup sound large enough to fuel a revolution. this is marching music, sisters & brothers! the machine won't run if you don't oil it, quit your job today...

factory/cog/industry/cattle.......2003-04-15

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