Eddie Higgins: Time on My Hands

Higgins’ first solo piano album in his long career draws on a deep knowledge of chords, his easy assurance with time and a repertoire notable for good songs seldom played. The rich harmonic possibilities in “Lucky to Be Me,” “A Sleepin’ Bee” and “Nina Never Knew” inspire his most profound playing, and he transforms the more familiar pieces like “Say It Isn’t So” and “You Turned the Tables on Me” with interpretations so personal that the 14 tunes take on the nature of a suite. To put “I Didn’t Know What Time It Was,” “Time Was” and “Time on My Hands” into a medley is much more than an attractive idea inspired by the theme of their titles; Higgins melds their musical commonality. This is a collection to revisit often. More of its riches reveal themselves with each hearing.

Originally Published October 1, 2000