Something to Live For: A Billy Strayhorn Songbook is an album by the pianist John Hicks, recorded in 1997 and released on the HighNote label.John Hicks discography accessed February 25, 2015 The album contains ten compositions by Billy Strayhorn, along with two by Hicks.
Reception AllMusic wrote that Hicks "shows his softer side here, tackling the lush romanticism of Strayhorn's timeless compositions with an appropriately light touch and sense of nuance".Roberts, J., AllMusic Review, accessed February 25, 2015 JazzTimes called it "a fine stroll through familiar Strayhorn terrain that pays substantial dividends".Jenkins, W., JazzTimes Review, December 1999
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 John Hicks - piano Dwayne Dolphin - bass Cecil Brooks III - drums
Production Cecil Brooks III - producer Dino DeStefano - engineer
References