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.
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.
