Search - Stanley Clarke :: Live 1976-1977

The title says it all

Jeff Arenson | Colorado Springs, CO United States | 02/07/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Stanley Clarke is simply the greatest bassist to have ever graced the earth with his presence. There are many other great ones(Manring,Wooten,Hamm,Jaco,etc.) but one thing that separates Stanley from the others is his compositional skills. The disc doesn't have a version of his suites but it captures all of the diversity that Stanley and his bandmates unleash during a show. The opener is "School Days". The form is the same as on the disc of the same name but live it is taken to another energy level. Ray Gomez lets loose and then Stanley defies the physical limitations that a person has. The speed and clarity is unreal. Then he cuts loose with some slap. The horn section gives this song even more power. More of Stanley's ability to bring out the funk are "Lopsy-Lu" and "Silly Putty". Anyone that plays bass should take notes on how the instrument should be played. The bass lines on these songs are two lessons in how to be funky. Stanley grooves on both tunes and the horn section is present again on "Silly Putty". "Lopsy Lu" finds Stanley exchanging fours with his bandmates. There is also an example of Clarke's acoustic grace on "Bass Folk Song". The piece is a duet with Stanley and his keyboardist. No one can play the upright like Stanley can. The same virtuosity that he displays on electric bass he has on an acoustic. The ability to play electric and acoustic with equal awe inspiration is another thing that separates Stanley from the rest. Also included on the disc are two RTF covers. "Dayride" features Jerry Brown on drums. "The Magician" is the other RTF tune and although the tune lacks Dimeola it is still phenomenal. No one has taken Jazz/Rock/ Funk/Fusion to greater heights than Stanley. His writing is a refection of his schooling and his Coltanesque sheets-of-sound bass technique is a revelation. The bottom line is this. If you are a bass player or you appreciate anyone that can take their instrument to unmatched heights then get this. It is the greatest one from the greatest one."

Fantastic!

Tall Paul | San Diego, CA United States | 01/21/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one the greatest bassists ever in his prime. A MUST HAVE for all Stanley Clarke fans. A great supplement to the I Wanna Play For You album. I bought this so I could hear The Magician and he even plays it faster and with just as much accuracy as the Return To Forever version! Awesome work from Ray Gomez and Gerry Brown. The engineering is clear with great dynamic range and LOTS of bass from Stanley. An essential recording for bassists who wanna hear how to be a leader onstage~Paul M."

A PERFECT RECORDING !!!!!!!!!!!

Michael Balazki | Petaluma, CA USA | 10/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is from Stanley Clarke's early days, and his BEST era, in my opinion. This CD has Stanley's best songs on it, and the musicianship is WORLD CLASS !!! The sound quality of the recording is great, too ! Great bass playing ( understatement ) , great guitar by Ray Gomez, great horn section - tight as hell ! , and great drums by Gerry Brown.

It's an all instrumental CD, which I love, and you will, too !!!"