Stanley Clarke and Return to Forever In Vancouver

Bassflute · #1 06-10-2008, 10:22 AM

Chick Corea and the boys were absolutely wonderful last night (June 9th, 2008). Chick was amazing; he can now seemlessly combine any two chords of wide disparity and complexity and string them together both melodically and harmonically with ease and extremely beautifully; keys, scales, chords and such are meaningless to him now, it's all one big key.

Lenny White played so effortlessly it seemed like he wasn't moving; his posture was simply amazing, his head stayed poised like a lion hunting prey; barely glanced at the drums - moved around a very big drumset using peripheral vision, almost psychically connected to the instruments. He played a beautiful melodic drum solo, devoid of any Hollywood-show-biz tricks; it was wonderful.

Al Dimeola has such an exquisite, iconic sound on the electric guitar, like liquid singing velvet; two notes and you know it's him. He played extraordinarily well last night, and I've seen him about a half-dozen times. Al has gotten better and better over the years, and is definitely NOT resting on his laurels.

But Stanley Clarke, for me, stole the show; he played a 20 minute solo on string bass that was simply astonishing. And he, too, like Eddie Gomez and others great bassists I have seen, and unlike some of the 'macho' morons in my town, had his action on the string bass EXTREMELY low; the bass absolutely sung, sustained for days, was effortless to play, and Stanley played a very deep, wise, and exquisite solo, repleat four-note chords and very sophisticated harmonies and melodies. In his solo he quoted everything from very sophisticated jazz changes implying aspects of different tunes, to operas, A Love Supreme, and Freedom Jazz Dance. He is definitely one of the best ever, and in his old age has developed wisdom, style, depth, beauty and profundity, and avoided show-off ******** for the most part. It was wonderful to experience.

Unfortunately, on electric, I can see now why people don't play Alembics any more; can you say 'buried in the mix'? Partially the soundman's fault; the bass drum sounded like a very significant seismic event, and it would be hard for ANY bass to be heard above that. Absolutely ridiculous. However, neck-through basses just lack the midrange and punch that would have really helped in that situation. He played it wonderfully, but dang near impossible to hear. Sad.

But sound issues aside, definitely go see them if they are playing near you; music-making at the highest level by some of the greatest and most influential musicians ever.

Cheers,
Cameron

Hoover · #2 06-10-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassflute

Unfortunately, on electric, I can see now why people don't play Alembics any more; can you say 'buried in the mix'. Partially the soundman's fault; the bass drum sounded like a very significant seismic event, and it would be hard for ANY bass to be heard above that. However, neck-through basses just lack the midrange and punch that would have really helped in that situation. He played it wonderfully, but dang near impossible to hear. Sad.

While I've never noticed a correllation between neck-thru instruments and being buried in the mix, I have noticed that Stanley Clarke consistently sounds under-represented on recordings, and even when you can hear him, there's not a lot of deep low end there. He has a very unique, idiosyncratic, and instantly identifiable tone on electric...but I would kill myself if I had to use that sound.

Steve K · #3 06-10-2008, 01:05 PM

What an amazing show! I am still in awe. I can't believe how well they played together. I completely agree with everything Cam said. Stanley's solo was incredibly beautiful. Everyone in the auditorium loved it. I wish I could see that show again. It was truly insane.

smakbass · #4 06-10-2008, 02:46 PM

You guys are killing me I couldnt go had a gig at the Fairview...Glad the show was good though and I agree on the upright set up issue...Always loved how Rick Kilburn's bass played.....

KJung · #5 06-10-2008, 02:50 PM

Just imagine seeing this the first time around back in the 70's. I didn't know what hit me back then... totally fresh and new, and blazing.

+1 to Stanley's EB tone... yuck! But Lenny White... holy moly. I just picked up the Anthology remasters. While the tunes are in many ways painfully dated, Lenny's playing is just amazing. To me he made the difference between that band and the later Elektric Band, which was technically amazing, but 'soul-less' to my ears.

Cool that they are touring. They and Weather Report really shook it up back then.

jerry · #6 06-10-2008, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

Lenny's playing is just amazing. To me he made the difference between that band and the later Elektric Band, which was technically amazing, but 'soul-less' to my ears.

huge +1, There is something extra funky in left handed drummers. I've been reading some interviews with Lenny in recent drum mags, and it seems he had to deal with some muscle/pinch nerve problems before this tour began, it looks like he has them worked out. He has long been one of my favorite drummers!

Dr. Cheese · #7 06-10-2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassflute

...However, neck-through basses just lack the midrange and punch that would have really helped in that situation...

I can't imagine anyone saying a Ken Smith or Cirrus lacks midrange or punch. I think Rickenbackers cut through pretty well too.

All neckthroughs are not the same.

Jamie_Funk · #8 06-10-2008, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

I can't imagine anyone saying a Ken Smith or Cirrus lacks midrange or punch. I think Rickenbackers cut through pretty well too.

All neckthroughs are not the same.

+1 Put those Alembic pickups and electronics in a Fender, use light gauge strings, same effect.

J

Entzel · #9 06-10-2008, 07:19 PM

I'm going to see the Return to Forever in Minneapolis June 19th. I'm pumped! Chick is one of my all-time favorite musicians and as a bassist I'm excited to see Clarke as well.

62bass · #10 06-10-2008, 08:02 PM

I saw RTF in Vancouver back when they were first out with Dimeola. It was his second week with the group. They were great. No problem hearing everything Stanley Clark did and he was using Alembic then.

Maybe his tone sucks live these days because of the sound man. There aren't as many good ones around now.

Steve K · #11 06-10-2008, 08:11 PM

I am so envious of all you people who saw Return to Forever back in the '70s. I wish that I had been born then to enjoy all of those great fusion bands in their prime (RTF, Weather Report, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, etc). I'm so glad that these amazing musicians have decided to get back together to allow us younger generations to enjoy music we could dream about hearing live.

Bassman822 · #12 06-10-2008, 08:29 PM

I had a chance to see RTF in Atlanta back in the mid 70s, and they smoked then- would love to see them again. OBTW, Tiran Porter (Doobie Bros) sat in with them and we got to see dueling basses

jerry · #13 06-10-2008, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62bass

Maybe his tone sucks live these days because of the sound man. There aren't as many good ones around now.

These days it seems a lot of soundmen think, kick= bass.

DayoftheGreek · #14 06-10-2008, 09:41 PM

I am going to see return to forever in Philly in August. The Flecktones are opening for them. I am quite excited.

jerry · #15 06-10-2008, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DayoftheGreek

I am going to see return to forever in Philly in August. The Flecktones are opening for them. I am quite excited.

Wow, great bill!!!!

aks_29 · #16 06-10-2008, 10:28 PM

I'd go see them at the Montreal jazz fest if it weren't $100 a ticket and there weren't so many other great musicians/bands playing. For that price, I'll be able to see Marcus Miller, Taj Mahal/Keb Mo, and The Wailers/Lee Perry

LM Bass · #17 06-10-2008, 10:40 PM

Thanks for the review Cam!
I probably would have been there too, but was out at a rehearsal.
Stanley was my first big hero back around '79, and I still think he's a really neat upright player. (Hey Smakbass! Rick Killburn can play circles around me, and will ever be a hero. Nice to see him mentioned on here. I can't play his bass though, it goes "snap, crunch, grr!" for me. . .)

best,
Laurence

GuitBass222 · #18 06-10-2008, 11:11 PM

Great concert. BTW do you remember the name of the encore tune when Chick was playing the strap-on keyboard?

smakbass · #19 06-11-2008, 08:25 AM

Rick was my teacher for my last year at college......that guy kicked my butt.

Hoover · #20 06-11-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62bass

Maybe his tone sucks live these days because of the sound man. There aren't as many good ones around now.

Not to derail this thread, but I have to disagree with you: There are way many more good sound men working in 2008 than there were in 1974.

There are also way many more bad sound men in 2008 than in 1974...but the ones who are actually working these days, especially for a high level act like RTF, are not hacks by any stretch of the imagination. There's just too much competition from skilled professionals nowadays for any band with money to have to settle for a sucky mix.