Search - Julius Hemphill :: Reflections

A musical epiphany in the avant blues.

greg taylor | Portland, Oregon United States | 07/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I heartily agree with all of the prior reviewers. I first heard this album when it came out as Coon Bidness on the great Arista Freedom Label and it changed the standards by which I judge all other music. This is truely one of the great documents of Avant Garde music in the last four decades. It is as great in its own way as Coltrane's Ascension or Coleman's Free Jazz although earthier than either of those two albums. It is impossible to describe the beauty of the combination of Wadud's cello and Hemphill's alto. This is one of the albums that I will play when I try to introduce someone to avant garde jazz (I also recommend Dave Holland's Conference of the Birds for this purpose). I also find it useful to play The Hard Blues for people right after I play Funky Blues from Charlie Parker's great JATP recording Jam Session. There is a lineage here in heartfelt blues that runs from Johnny Hodges thru Benny Carter thru Charlie Parker thru Jackie McLean thru Ornette Coleman thru Archie Shepp thru Anthony Braxton and Julius Hemphill. Play the two tunes back to back and see if you don't agree. But in any case treat your soul to Hemphill and the Hard Blues. If this music doesn't speak to your funky butt then you ain't got one."

Just a reminder

Speedy | Fl, MO USA | 09/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is to let you know that if you already have the 'Coon Bid'ness' cd (or lp) you already have this excellent music. So, you have been warned!"

The Hard Blues!

Stephen | Virginia Beach, VA USA | 08/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard "The Hard Blues" on a public/college radio station in suburban Maryland. I was happy to be lost, trying to find a friend's new house. Hemphill was possibly the best composer of the avant garde and the Hard Blues is his monumental achievement. This arrangement with Wadud on cello continues to be my favorite. It grinds, it screams with pain & joy. Just thinking of it makes me want to dance (or is that stomp) around!The rest of this disc is excellent but the 20 minute Hard Blues should be in everyone's collection."