Hawk flies under the bridge
bukhtan | Chicago, Illinois, USA | 11/25/2005
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Somewhere on the liner notes I read: "this is not just schlock but [something positive, can't remember what they said it was]. Well, it IS schlock, Coleman Hawkins with strings, recorded I think in 1956; I don't have the thing in front of me, it's buried somewhere I don't usually look, though I didn't GIVE the thing away, as I didn't want anyone to be turned off Coleman Hawkins.
Remember the recordings Bird made with a string & oboe orchestra? Well, imagine the orchestra and its arrangements sounding much worse, with Parker really drunk and really bored, and you'll have some idea of what this outrage sounds like. I don't think Hawkins was drunk, the impression is more like Ralph Nader being interviewed by MTV or Fox.
I've given it an extra star because Coleman Hawkins really IS on it, it's not false advertising.
One of the worst records I've ever heard filed under "jazz".
"