What a MASTER! R.I.P. Chick. We’re not always in the mood for 70’s fusion, but when we are, Romantic Warrior and Birds of Fire top the list hands down, call a cab, no questions asked, no argument, get outta town.
*RIP* *_Romantic Warrior_* *WoW!* I went to hear Chick lecture on composition. One person asked "What do you do when you get writers block?" Chick humbly replied, "I know what you're talking about but, that doesn't happend to me."
In an online memorial, Eric Marienthal told the story of wanting to punch in on a take because he played a wrong note. Chick replied, "If it was wrong, why did you play it?"
@@skineyemin4276 But Lenny White DOES play on the 'Romantic Warrior' album. He plays drums, timpani, congas, timbales, snare drums, suspended cymbals, alarm clock and handbells.
The most popular and successful lineup of Return to Forever -- Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White, and Al Di Meola -- was coming off the Grammy-winning No Mystery when it recorded its third and final album, Romantic Warrior. It has been suggested that in employing a medieval album cover (drawn by Wilson McLean), using titles like "Medieval Overture" and "Duel of the Jester and the Tyrant," and occasionally playing in a baroque style, particularly in Clarke's "The Magician," Corea was responding to Rick Wakeman's successful string of albums on similar themes. Certainly, the music suggests that the musicians have been listening to Wakeman's band, Yes, among other progressive rock groups. But they bring more of a traditional jazz approach to their sound, particularly in the opening statement of intent "Medieval Overture" and the original side one closer, "The Romantic Warrior," both of which feature extensive acoustic piano soloing by Corea. The original side two -- Di Meola's "Majestic Dance," "The Magician," and "Duel of the Jester and the Tyrant" -- is much more in a jazz-rock style, with Di Meola particularly rocking out on extensive, fast-paced electric guitar solos. Meanwhile, the rhythm section of Clarke and White is always extremely busy, maintaining a funky, driving pulse and several cross rhythms no matter what's going on above it. This is particularly noticeable, naturally, on White's sole composition, "Sorceress," but it continues to keep the music in the fusion camp even when Corea is sounding like a more traditional jazz pianist. Romantic Warrior is the sound of a mature band at the top of its game, which may help explain why it was Return to Forever's most popular album, eventually certified as a gold record, and the last by this assemblage. Having expressed themselves this well, they decided it was time for them to move on.
I saw the promotion tour concert for this album at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion way back in the day. Few can fill Stanley's shoes. Vic is definitely worthy. Return to forever in power Chick.
Once in a while the entity called "John McLaughlin 1974" astral projects himself into our present moment to remind us of our potential... and the need to practice more often.
I can remember getting this album when it came out. It's amazing yet bittersweet viewing Chick Corea playing some of the seminal music from my time. RIP, Chick..
All great musicians but when John starts to solo and connects with Victor and Lenny the magic starts -a wonderful upload -thank you-RIP the fabulous Chick Corea
Ooooh man, why didn’t we get proper recordings of this band?? Love everything about it, literally everything. Vic Friggin’ Wooten _bowing_ his fretless bass. Mahavishnu faithful to the composition while making it very much his own. But probably my favorite thing is the genuine smile on his face, watching Vic play that fantastic solo. I’m torn because i wish this person had been in the moment at the performance rather than filming. But at the same time... man, i’m glad i got see and hear it!
What an extraordinary treat. Loved them both for a long time, particularly J Mcl. McL accepts the ensemble constraints and then really soars. The solo here is one of his and one of Guitar's best. May the Baby Jesus and Mother of Muhammad and Yaweh too bless the musicians and the original poster. And what fantastic bass, with that bowing!
I enjoyed very much this version of this Chick's composition... Also I enjoyed watching the face of the most tasteless woman in the entire, probably, NYC!!! :-)
Wow! The Masters. I love that Chick has to read his stuff. He's written a HUGE collection of great music...no way he could have all of that memorized. Fantastic band! Absolute Genii!
green fox depends on the song and what the composer wants. Chick mostly has very strict and pretty complicated compositions, like Pat Metheny for instance. During the solo's things are free and can go anywhere.
I love this performance. Chick is such distinctive and accomplished player and composer. Also, I think that's the first time I've seen/heard an electric bass guitar bowed. Sounded like an acoustic too. Nice woody tone. Vicor could have been a flamenco guitarist as well. Jesus. John's playing is lyrical and blazing with, interestingly, more of a descending scale approach, as counterpoint to Chick. Cool stuff.
Every few Generations comes a Soul who's Perceptions & Achievements are like Mutations in Evolution! One could rattle off a few names that have come before Armando Anthony "Chick Corea" Mozart, Chopin, Debussy, Tatum, Peterson, But you would be hard pressed to name one since him, Chick you were Brilliant & will be Sorely Missed
Ellos son virtuosos son únicos en este estilo de music, siempre escuche Return Forever, guitarrista original Al Di Meola, aquí Mclaughlin demostrando el porque, es considerado uno de los mejores guitarristas del mundo.
Santana can't play that technical. Santana got a few jazz chops from Mahavishnu back in the early 70's. I would have loved to hear Carlos do his thing with this lineup, but he could not play this music as written. He doesn't read.
