Search - Return to Forever :: Live

Stellar music, stellar performance!

E. Minkovitch | Montreal, Quebec | 09/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First I have to laugh at the reviewer who gave this album one star, ha-ha-ha! OK, now that I got that out the way, on to the album. How can one review perfect music? what is perfect music? I guess it is a very personal thing... for me it is not just chops or clever arrangements, it is music that speaks to the heart, that has the ability to uplift and touch the listener. I get that feeling from Return To Forever Live, it captures that vibe perfectly, even better than the studio record. If I had to compare it with another album, I'd pick Santana's Lotus, another album with that inspirational, devotional quality. This music comes at the height of Chick Corea's creative powers (many musicians experienced that creative peak between 1970 and 1977) and is seasoned with soulful vocals from Gayle Morris and Stanley Clarke, a richly colorful brass band, and a battery of keyboards that include the Moog, the Fender Rhodes, the Mellotron and the Hammond B3. The only thing missing is the guitar, but Chick's extended solos are so spectacular that they make you forget that Mr. Di Meola is no longer part of the band. No fusion fan will be disappointed with this album - particularly the prog-heads, who love 20-minute epics and lengthy solos, will eat it up. However there are some moments that are closer to "straight jazz" - a couple of jazz standards, and a long "unplugged" piece, Serenade. Overall, though the album definitely leans towards the progressive side of things, and somehow it feels like a goodbye song to an entire era. Maybe foreseeing things to come, Chick decided to give it all he had, perhaps more, and we can consider ourselves fortunate to have a beatiful document of that spirit."

If it get's any better than this, please let me know

michael harmon | Silicon Valley, CA | 10/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw RTF on the Musicmagic Tour, had the multi disk vinyl set as soon as it became available in the 70's. I am still stunned by the horn section and the drummer, Corea and Stanley Clarke are brilliant, the song writing is phenomenal. I have had engines searching for this CD for a year and a half, and I am NOT disappointed. It's like finding the lost recording of Monk & Coltrane in the Library of Congress: It's another chance to be thrilled by my favorite artists. If you liked Musicmagic, you'll love this. ****** (6 stars)"

Open up your ears

Mark T. Marzolino | Grand Rapids, Mi USA | 06/22/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Different sound than "Romantic Warrior"? Oh yes. Way!! Different band (Still Stanley though - a big plus. Also, Joe Farrell is back). Different sound (No guitar; brass and vocals added). But like Miles, Chick is "forever" challenging us, to open up our ears. Hard to find, but well worth it. (One draw though on the cd: edited-down versions -from the original vinyl release - of "The Musician" and "So Long Mickey Mouse". This was done to keep the package at a 2-disc-set.)"