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06-14-2008, 10:02 AM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Burbank, CA | | | Stanley Clarke and RTF Concert Last Night
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Last night I went see Return to Forever at the Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles: Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Al DiMeola, and Lenny White.
All I can say is that I'm still trying to decide whether to be inspired or just give up playing altogether!
The level of virtuosity and sheer artistry these guys represent just blew my mind. There were all the jaw-dropping chops you would expect, but more than that, the music was so dynamic and soulful. It would get whisper quiet and then build to a thundering climax, it would swing, then veer off into hyper funk, and then ROCK like nobody's business.
The band played an electric set, then took a break and came back for an acoustic set.
Stanley used the Alembic and showed off the amazing licks and slapping we've all seen. He's as good, or better, than ever.
But what really surprised me was his work on the upright. I've never heard him play upright bass. Well, let me assure you that it's every bit the equal of his electric playing.
I am no great student of upright, but I've never seen someone play it the way he did. He bowed it, plucked it, slapped it, but also did these incredible high register FAST runs along with the guitar and keyboard melodies.
He also used a lot of vibrato, with a cello sort of feel. But again, it wasn't just chops. His playing was so expressive, so emotional, just absolutely gorgeous.
His upright sound was amazing too, this thing was LOUD. When he dropped to the low E the tone was just massive.
OK, I'm out of adjectives, but just wanted to share a bit. |
06-14-2008, 03:26 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: SoCal | | Can't agree with you more sparkdog. I was there too. First time seeing them all together and you are dead on with that description. Musical Mastery at it's finest!  |
06-15-2008, 06:36 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Miami, Florida | | | So excited to see them in July, here in Miami! This thread was a great teaser!!!! |
06-21-2008, 11:30 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oak Park, MI | | Saw them tonight in Detroit (Freedom Hill) , they don't make them like that anymore. 
In all sincerity I can't listen to a lot of RTF on CD, but seeing them live does serve to remind someone of a day when being a virtuoso was important. I would love to see todays, Prog rock and Jam Band fans get a chance to see what REAL musicians can play. Their just at another level.
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06-23-2008, 10:41 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida | | | |
08-04-2008, 09:59 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Grayson, GA | | Saw them this past Saturday night in Atlanta. My computer keyboard does not have letters or symbols that will adequately allow me to describe it. Words like "incredible", "wow", or even "holy crap" can't even begin to describe how great they were together! 
I vow now only to play whole notes in tribute to the vast distance between Mr. Clarke's talent level and mine! 
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08-04-2008, 10:03 AM
|  | You don't want to do that. Trust me. Forum Administrator | | Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: atlanta ga | | | i was at the atlanta show too. happening gig, that's for sure, and a great venue.
__________________ Talkbass Forum Administrator Ask me, I'm here to help. Lord Only on Myspace - 4 New Lord Only Tracks from our 2nd CD Lord Only - yes. we're back. sorta versatile residue -12 minute instrumental I find it elevating and exhilarating to discover that we live in a universe which permits the evolution of molecular machines as intricate and subtle as we. - Carl Sagan Rock 'n' Roll... It's got nothing to do with journalists, and it hasn't really even got anything to do with musicians, either. - Pete Townsend |
08-04-2008, 10:09 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: atlanta, georgia [satellites] | | | a bunch of my customers said it was awesome. i can probably get a copy of the show on cd if you guys are interested. |
08-04-2008, 10:30 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Grayson, GA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by davetakis  a bunch of my customers said it was awesome. i can probably get a copy of the show on cd if you guys are interested. |
Definitely! Let me know if you can get it on cd. I was hoping they'd release a DVD of this tour sometime in the future. Thanks!
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08-04-2008, 10:48 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Largo, Florida, USA | |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sparkdog All I can say is that I'm still trying to decide whether to be inspired or just give up playing altogether!
The level of virtuosity and sheer artistry these guys represent just blew my mind. There were all the jaw-dropping chops you would expect, but more than that, the music was so dynamic and soulful. It would get whisper quiet and then build to a thundering climax, it would swing, then veer off into hyper funk, and then ROCK like nobody's business.
| Saw them last Friday in Orlando. I was telling my friends the exact same thing! I play keyboards also, so I got double whammyed!
Already dug a hole in the backyard for the fire pit! All it needs is kindling! 
j/k. It was definitely an inspirational experience.
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