Search - Chick Corea :: Live From Blue Note Tokyo

Expensive, but well worth it!

04/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Brilliant recording. It's great to hear Vinnie Colaiuta on drums this time, showing a different perspective. This trio had great chemistry, always in the pocket. Definitely one of Corea's better recordings."

Fasten Your Seat-Belts for some EXTREME Virtuosity

TUCO H. | Los Angeles, CA | 09/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Chick is the king of all whup-as-s when it comes to chops among monster jazz pianists. I mean, if you want to talk intense technique on the keys, no one even comes close, not Jarrett, not Mehldau, not Hancock, not Kuhn, not Oscar Peterson or Hiromi and not even Lyle Mays, just listen to the endlessly creative hundred note runs of 64ths he plays with crystal clear tone in improv all over this CD, almost blowing Vinnie out of his seat, time and time again. Now, Vinnie is already a well-known alien from another planet, such a great drummer (some say the best ever, including Zappa, who named him the prize-winner of those he played with in his autobiography) that hardly any player fazes him but Chick is out to teach the 'kid' a lesson and a lesson he does, in fact, impart. I think Chick went into this gig thinking, all-right, I've got the greatest drummer on the planet here next to the one I had before, let me throw out every lick I know, as fast and furious as I can dish it out and see what he does with it. Vinnie freezes in his seat sometimes with awe or maybe just mock awe out of respect (Chick & John McLaughlin are Vinnie's ultimate idols) but then out of nowhere he does some unbelievable things with Chick's avalanche of licks, anticipating perfectly a zillion note run with perfectly calibrated fills and those are the moments of gold this disc is legendary for among Chick & Vinnie fans.



Vinnie's enthusiasm sometimes runs away with itself and maybe he tries to do a little too much. Sometimes it's a good thing. For example, Vinnie insists on breaking up the main rhythm into all kinds of odd meters and cross-polyrhythms on top every two seconds, every single chance he gets, everytime he hears it, while still maintaining the perfect groove underneath, adding another intense dimension, one of Stravinsky-meets-progressive rock to the proceedings. The amazing John Patitucci also plays here the best I have personally ever heard him play, especially on upright bass. With Vinnie and John turning up the heat, this becomes a completely different band than with Weckl, a firestorm of a beast, always on the edge, although this may be because this is just a one-off date, almost an impromptu jam-session and everybody is unleashed with little restraint. Does Vinnie beat Weckl? Not by a long shot. Weckl is the perfect drummer for Chick, never clashing, always complementing beautifully. With Vinnie, there's plenty of clash, a lot more roughness, maybe a little too much Italian blood between the 3 guys, but also more scorching fireworks. It's good to have both, Weckl for the ultimate in elegance and sophistication and Vinnie for sheer over-the-top lunacy.



The set itself is not entirely acoustic, "Tumba" is mostly electric actually but fits in perfectly with the rest of the set. Also, Chick should always play a real grand piano instead of that piano simulator he plays. Sorry Chick but the sound of a real piano is worth every cent of the trouble of carrying it around. "Humpty Dumpty," "Chasing the Trane" and "Autumn Leaves" in particular are literal demonstration models of Chick's most extreme virtuoso playing, not to mention Misters Colaiuta & Patitucci. That's why it's too bad that the sound quality of the live recording here leaves a lot to be desired and doesn't even come close to the quality of the live Weckl CD and there's even a clipping at one point from Chick's mix on one chord. Maybe this is because Vinnie sounds like 3 drummers back there all the time and leaves little room for space or separation but the sound is too congested."

Definately vault worthy

David H. Ferguson | Brighton, Colorado United States | 04/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yes...it is costly, but you get what you pay for. The mix could be refined just a touch, but hey...it's a live recording. A very strong showing from Chic, John and Vinnie...very little stepping on each other toes in the soloing, though it seems that John won't let Chic vamp on his phrasings...but that could just be a joke between them. All in all...if you are fan of any of the three or all...you will be very happy to have this baby in your private collection."