CHICK COREA - Chick Corea Akoustic Band Live
Concord Jazz CJA00291 (2 CDs)
Chick Cora (piano); John Patitucci (bass); Dave Weckl (drums)
Chick Corea and the Akoustic Band were recorded at the SPC Music Hall in St Petersburg Florida in January 2018. This is one of those sets where the three musicians who know each other well set out to enjoy themselves rather than laying down innovative tracks for the ages. However, you realise at the end of the concert that this was really a very fine trio that compares favourably with any of the classic piano trios in the past.
Corea’s music has stretched over a wide musical expanse from his work with Miles Davis, ‘In A Silent Way’, ‘Bitches Brew’, ‘Jack Johnson’, before going on to pioneer fusion jazz. Never far from the mainstream of jazz, he worked with Stan Getz, Woody Shaw and Herbie Hancock. At times, his music goes beyond jazz, reflecting the influence of Bartok, Mozart and Berg.
An omnivorous composer and player, his creativity has ranged widely. This album is not representative of his life’s work: it would take a whole raft of CDs to do that. This double album is a reminder of a great jazz pianist. Particularly daring is the use of so many standards because improvising on standards reveals the contribution that the improviser makes to the basic melody. In, for instance, ‘Monk’s Mood’ Corea stays close to the vinegary harmonies of the original: the first chorus is a Corea solo. ‘In A Sentimental Mood’ is a beautiful Ellington melody which Chick embellishes with subtle respect.
Corea’s music has always radiated joy and limitless creativity. Corea’s openness to all music is audible everywhere on the recording. ‘Morning Sprite’ written by Corea for this trio begins the concert and ensures that the trio is energised by the speed and the complexity of the piece. ‘Eternal Child’ opens with a bowed bass solo and Patitucci reveals a spiritual aspect of the composition before handing over to Corea.
The final piece ‘You're Everything’ was originally sung by Flora Purim with ‘Return To Forever’. Here Chick’s wife, Gayle Moran Corea, shows that she has a voice with the range wide enough to tackle this song.
The recording has both punch and clarity and enables the exuberance to shine through. The particular character of Weckl’s drums is emphasised not by loudness but by subtlety. The fourteen minute ‘Rhumba Flamenco’, probably the highlight of the concert, sets the group and the audience alight and indicates how Chick could communicate and you can sense the rapport with the audience as the Spanish, Caribbean and African rhythms spill out. ‘Rhumba Flamenco’ was actually the finale of the original concert. Dave Weckl drives the music expertly, maintaining the rhythms and builds towards a climax. John Patitucci’s bass playing is solid and gives a great foundation to the trio: Patitucci is particularly adventurous on the slower pieces and he contributes mightily to the album.
The death of Chick Corea earlier this year is a grievous loss. Chick seemed to have such a youthful spirit that death seems particularly hard. These CDs with Chick playing in the trio setting that he loved will give good memories.
Reviewed by Jack Kenny
Concord Jazz CJA00291 (2 CDs)
Chick Cora (piano); John Patitucci (bass); Dave Weckl (drums)
Chick Corea and the Akoustic Band were recorded at the SPC Music Hall in St Petersburg Florida in January 2018. This is one of those sets where the three musicians who know each other well set out to enjoy themselves rather than laying down innovative tracks for the ages. However, you realise at the end of the concert that this was really a very fine trio that compares favourably with any of the classic piano trios in the past.
Corea’s music has stretched over a wide musical expanse from his work with Miles Davis, ‘In A Silent Way’, ‘Bitches Brew’, ‘Jack Johnson’, before going on to pioneer fusion jazz. Never far from the mainstream of jazz, he worked with Stan Getz, Woody Shaw and Herbie Hancock. At times, his music goes beyond jazz, reflecting the influence of Bartok, Mozart and Berg.
An omnivorous composer and player, his creativity has ranged widely. This album is not representative of his life’s work: it would take a whole raft of CDs to do that. This double album is a reminder of a great jazz pianist. Particularly daring is the use of so many standards because improvising on standards reveals the contribution that the improviser makes to the basic melody. In, for instance, ‘Monk’s Mood’ Corea stays close to the vinegary harmonies of the original: the first chorus is a Corea solo. ‘In A Sentimental Mood’ is a beautiful Ellington melody which Chick embellishes with subtle respect.
Corea’s music has always radiated joy and limitless creativity. Corea’s openness to all music is audible everywhere on the recording. ‘Morning Sprite’ written by Corea for this trio begins the concert and ensures that the trio is energised by the speed and the complexity of the piece. ‘Eternal Child’ opens with a bowed bass solo and Patitucci reveals a spiritual aspect of the composition before handing over to Corea.
The final piece ‘You're Everything’ was originally sung by Flora Purim with ‘Return To Forever’. Here Chick’s wife, Gayle Moran Corea, shows that she has a voice with the range wide enough to tackle this song.
The recording has both punch and clarity and enables the exuberance to shine through. The particular character of Weckl’s drums is emphasised not by loudness but by subtlety. The fourteen minute ‘Rhumba Flamenco’, probably the highlight of the concert, sets the group and the audience alight and indicates how Chick could communicate and you can sense the rapport with the audience as the Spanish, Caribbean and African rhythms spill out. ‘Rhumba Flamenco’ was actually the finale of the original concert. Dave Weckl drives the music expertly, maintaining the rhythms and builds towards a climax. John Patitucci’s bass playing is solid and gives a great foundation to the trio: Patitucci is particularly adventurous on the slower pieces and he contributes mightily to the album.
The death of Chick Corea earlier this year is a grievous loss. Chick seemed to have such a youthful spirit that death seems particularly hard. These CDs with Chick playing in the trio setting that he loved will give good memories.
Reviewed by Jack Kenny
