Something to Live For: A Billy Strayhorn Songbook

Something to Live For: A Billy Strayhorn Songbook
Something to Live For: A Billy Strayhorn Songbook
Studio album by John Hicks
Released	October 20, 1998
Recorded	June 17, 1997; Audiomation Studio, Pittsburgh, PA
Genre	Jazz
Length	65:57
Label	HighNote; HCD 7019
Producer	Cecil Brooks III
John Hicks chronology

Something to Live For: A Billy Strayhorn Songbook is an album by pianist John Hicks which was recorded in 1997 and released on the HighNote label.^[1] The album features ten compositions by Billy Strayhorn along with two by Hicks.

Reception

Allmusic reviewed the album stating "he shows his softer side here, tackling the lush romanticism of Strayhorn's timeless compositions with an appropriately light touch and sense of nuance".^[2] JazzTimes called it "a fine stroll through familiar Strayhorn terrain that pays substantial dividends".^[3]

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	^[2]

Track listing

All compositions by Billy Strayhorn except as indicated

"Something to Live For" (Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn) - 5:44
"Day Dream" (Ellington, Strayhorn John La Touche) - 6:40
"Medley: Lotus/Blossom" - 4:08
"Blood Count" - 6:59
"A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing" - 3:07
"Chelsea Bridge" - 6:10
"Lush Life" - 6:05
"U.M.M.G. (Upper Manhattan Medical Group)" - 5:30
"Minor Blues" (John Hicks) - 4:33
"Passion Flower" - 6:42
"Satin Doll" (Ellington, Strayhorn, Johnny Mercer) - 5:23
"Summary" (Hicks) - 4:56

Personnel

Production

Cecil Brooks III - producer
Dino DeStefano - engineer

References

^ John Hicks discography accessed February 25, 2015
^ ^a ^b Roberts, J., Allmusic Review, accessed February 25, 2015
^ Jenkins, W., JazzTimes Review, December 1999

[1] John Hicks discography accessed February 25, 2015

[Allmusic-2] Roberts, J., Allmusic Review, accessed February 25, 2015

[3] Jenkins, W., JazzTimes Review, December 1999

[1]

[2]

[3]

v t e John Hicks
Years given are for the recording(s), not first release, unless stated otherwise.
As leader or co-leader	Hells Bells (1975) Steadfast (1975) After the Morning (West 54, 1979) Some Other Time (1981) John Hicks (1982) In Concert (1984) Inc. 1 (1985) Luminous (and Elise Wood, 1985–88) Two of a Kind (and Ray Drummond, 1986–87) I'll Give You Something to Remember Me By (1987) East Side Blues (1988) Naima's Love Song (1988) Oleo (New York Unit, 1989) Rhythm-a-Ning (and Kenny Barron, 1989) Blue Bossa (New York Unit, 1990) Is That So? (1990) Live at Maybeck Recital Hall, Volume Seven (1990) Power Trio (1990) St. Thomas: Tribute to Great Tenors (1991) Tribute to George Adams (1991–92) After the Morning (Dominic Sciscente Music, 1992) Blues March: Portrait of Art Blakey (1992) Crazy for You (1992) Friends Old and New (1992) Moanin': Portrait of Art Blakey (1992) Now's the Time (New York Unit, 1992) Over the Rainbow (New York Unit, 1992) Single Petal of a Rose (1992) The Missouri Connection (and Jay McShann, 1992) Beyond Expectations (1993) Lover Man: A Tribute to Billie Holiday (1993) Akari (New York Unit, 1994) Duality (and Peter Leitch, 1994) Gentle Rain (1994) In the Mix (1994) Heart Beats (Keystone Trio, 1995) Piece for My Peace (1995) Cry Me a River (1997) Newklear Music (Keystone Trio, 1997) Nightwind: An Erroll Garner Songbook (1997) Something to Live For: A Billy Strayhorn Songbook (1997) Trio + Strings (1997) Hicks Time (released 1998) Impressions of Mary Lou (1998) Beautiful Friendship (and Elise Wood, 2000) Music in the Key of Clark (2001) Fatha's Day: An Earl Hines Songbook (2003) Twogether (with Frank Morgan, 2005–6) I Remember You (2006) On the Wings of an Eagle (2006) Sweet Love of Mine (2006)
With Art Blakey	'S Make It (and The Jazz Messengers, 1964) Soul Finger (and The Jazz Messengers, 1965) Hold On, I'm Coming (1966) Child's Dance (and The Jazz Messengers, 1972)
With Arthur Blythe	Illusions (1980) Blythe Spirit (1981) Blythe Byte (2001) Exhale (2002)
With David Murray	Morning Song (1983) Sketches of Tokyo (co-led, 1985) I Want to Talk About You (1986) Ming's Samba (1988) Ballads for Bass Clarinet (1991) David Murray/James Newton Quintet (1991) Fast Life (1991) MX (1992) For Aunt Louise (1993) Jazzosaurus Rex (1993) Love and Sorrow (1993) Saxmen (1993) Like a Kiss that Never Ends (2000)
With Pharoah Sanders	Journey to the One (1979) Pharoah Sanders Live... (1981) Rejoice (1981) Africa (1987) A Prayer Before Dawn (1987)
With others	Solid! (Eric Alexander, 1998) Sunday in New York (Eric Alexander, 2005) Eby (Hamiet Bluiett, 1984) Fast Last! (Lester Bowie, 1974) Now It's My Turn (Betty Carter, 1976) The Audience with Betty Carter (1979) It's Not About the Melody (Betty Carter, 1992) Gardenias for Lady Day (James Carter, 2003) The Bassist: Homage to Diversity (Richard Davis, released 2001) Structurally Sound (Booker Ervin, 1966) Flying Colors (Ricky Ford, 1980) Interpretations (Ricky Ford, 1982) Awakening (Sonny Fortune, 1985) The Outside Within (Chico Freeman, 1978) Spirit Sensitive (Chico Freeman, 1978–79) Habana (Roy Hargrove, 1997) Again and Again (Oliver Lake, 1991) 52nd Street Themes (Joe Lovano, 1999) On This Day ... Live at The Vanguard (Joe Lovano, 2002) Streams of Expression (Joe Lovano, 2005) Hi Voltage (Hank Mobley, 1967) Taru (Lee Morgan, 1968) Staying on the Watch (Sonny Simmons, 1966) Live at the Loosdrecht Jazz Festival (Charles Tolliver, 1972) Love Remains (Bobby Watson, 1986)