THE CREAM SKIMMED FROM THE TOP OF AN IMMENSE TALENT
BOB | LOS ANGELES, CA | 01/23/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For those of you who invested in either the domestic or import remastered "Spectrum" CD, well, get ready to lay down some more shekels. The "Spectrum" tracks on this Anthology have been spun again and sound slightly better. The bottom end is approximately the same, but there is definitively more "air" in the recordings from this new mastering, especially in the symbols (which are now very bright and upfront).
In addition to the spiffier audio, there is a very well-written booklet which contains, in addition to historical & interesting anecdotal info, Cobham's own comments and recollections of each track on this set. Kudo's to the writer, A. Scott Galloway.
As to the track selection of the Anthology itself, it hits most of the major points. It's a nice sonic-updating for long-time fans, and a great starting point for the Cobham-uninitiated. Hopefully, it will stimulate a craving in all listeners to seek out more of this amazing musician's body of work.
I have been fortunate enough to have seen Cobham twice in the last three years. The first opportunity was here in L.A. at The Conga Room in April of 2002 on his short "Spectrum Anniversary" tour. Time had not lessened Cobham's skill or dulled his immense talent one iota. He was absolutely thunderous, driving the electric band from his double-bass drum kit.
The second was even more intimate and unique: He & Stanley Clarke backed McCoy Tyner at Yoshi's in Oakland for one week in January of 2005, during Tyner's 11th Annual Artist In Residency appearance. We attended the first night, and stayed for both shows. This was fortuitous, as there was no repetition of material between the sets.
Here, Cobham performed magnificently on a single bass drum kit, including some wonderful brush work. There was wonderful interplay, humor and mutual respect as each master displayed their legendary talents before an appreciative audience. The performance contained numerous solos by Cobham, and several amazing duets with Clarke.
The trio was tight, as if they had been rehearsing for weeks. When one considers that Cobham had been at the 2005 NAMM show the previous Thursday & Friday in L.A., and this first Tyner show was the following Tuesday, it can only serve to heighten one's respect and admiration for all three musicians. One can only hope that the Yoshi's sessions will be made available on CD to the public in the near future, or that they will record as a trio in the studio. One can only hope.
I have attended hundreds concerts since 1973, and have seen some amazing drummers, but after these two performances, I am convinced there's every other drummer in the world, and then there's Billy Cobham. He is truly one of the giants, certainly one of the most unique and talented drummers to ever pick up and wield a pair of sticks. You will can count yourself most fortunate if you ever are afforded the opportunity to see him live.
"
Touching Every Base In Cobham's Career
Mr. Richard D. Coreno | Berea, Ohio USA | 02/20/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Billy Cobham is one of my favorite drummers and this anthology of 24 tracks on two CDs is great for fans or those who are interested in a retrospective of a career that is showing no signs of slowing down.
For more than 30 years Cobham has been a band leader covering a wide spectrum of music. There is the rapid-fire delivery of Quadrant 4, ambient moods - Stratus & Spanish Moss - and funk - The Pleasant Pheasant, Lunarputians & Moon Germs.
My favorite cuts are when the funk rockets into space and ends up somewhere near Saturn; Some Skunk Funk, A Funky Thide Of Sings & Panhandler. There are outtakes for All 4 One & New Rock N' Roll, a trio of selections - live & studio - from The Billy Cobham/George Duke Band and a great ending, with the solid bass and percussion interplay in Arroyo.
The CD title aptly fits Cobham's outlook on music, as he continues to press ahead with great studio albums and memorable live dates. Rudiments is truly the sounds of a partially-developed career, no matter how brilliant it has been to this date.
Cobham is not ready to cross home plate."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1