Classical Composer Reacts to Romantic Warrior by Return to Forever | The Daily Doug (Episode 501) 

This album is one of mankind's greatest achievements.

The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Return To Forever and Weather Report...those three were the standard of Fusion...then and now! There were other great Fusion bands, but those 3 set the Bar REALLY HIGH! Doug, you're awesome! You make listening to music fun and I learn a lot from your reactions.

Every song on that album is a masterpiece.

this lineup, there isn't a band with more talent packed in to just 4 guys. these are the masters.

I remember getting this album when it first came out, I was in college with one of those 400 watt stereo set ups with huge speakers that would loosen teeth at high levels. Fantastic music, just completely over the top. All Hail Jazz Fusion and Prog Rock.

Stand-up bass, bowed and plucked. He is fabulous to watch in concert.

Awesome album... Still have the original 1976 vinyl 😊👌 "Duel Of The Jester And The Tyrant" 👍

This album is humanity's peak. One of our best contributions to this world. It shouldve been sent to space. This group of guys I truly believe was the tightest, most capable overall band there was and will ever be. Music we will return to forever.

This is such a magnificent album.

My favorite album of all time. In my opinion it was when recording production and musical brilliance came together in a wonderful way. It still had the feeling of musicians playing off each other, which some of the following "fusion" albums lacked. And to think this was completely analog with no digital editing is mind blowing. Absolutely brilliant album. Thanks for reacting.

I bought this album when it came out. This composition stood out on this album. And it was only after numerous playbacks that it finally dawned on me: This is a completely acoustic performance. (Took awhile.) Old school. And it rocks! This could have been played in 1920 - if only someone had thought of it. Think about that! Amazing. Only amplifies what an accomplishment this composition is.

I found this album in the cutout bin at a record store when I was a teen; I knew nothing about it, but I bought it. Fast forward 40 years - the album stays in my rotation. It was like finding gold amongst the dirt.

RIP Chick Corea. I had the pleasure of seeing them perform this live back in the day. Return To Forever and John McLaughlin! An incredible immersion in jazz rock fusion by the best players of the genre. Have a listen to Stanley Clarke's album "Journey To Love" You won't be disappointed. He is one of the greats of the bass.

You can hear the recording quality, resonant and crisp at the same time, even on a phone. Corey’s piano, especially, is just gorgeous. An aural feast !

Saw them as a young 15yo impressionable drummer at the Philadelphia Academy of Music in 1983. All my favorite rock bands growing up played at the Spectrum (Sixers, Flyers old arena) , but the greatest jazz fusion band ever played where the Philadelphia Philharmonic Orchestra called home. I had already been listening to their music but to see it live changed my life and direction as a musician. Sadly, nothing imho compares today to inspire that level of greatness. RIP Chick and Thanks for it all!

Each musician is world class the band name says it all 👍

The song on this album that will literally wring your neck is "Medieval Overture". The way it shows off all the musicians and the power of the fusion era is fantastic. Perfect balance between rock and jazz. Years later, it would be dumbed down into "Soft Jazz". John Mclaughlin had the same effect on my ears back then as well. Thanks.

I still have that on vinyl somewhere..... RIP Chick Corea..... a true master.

One of my favorite albums and tracks, EVER!

Thanks Doug one of my favorite bands, used to listen to this nonstop in college.

Just one of those songs you gotta listen to 100 times just to begin to touch the remnants of ancestoral memory that had to accumulate to bring this absolute gem of musical composition that these geniuses created. Truly one of the greatest musical gifts man was given.

Tool and Return To Forever in the same week! Two of my favorites. Lucky to have seen them both live, RTF in the 80’s. RIP Chick, he went to high school here near Boston with my dad.

Thanks for your video. One of my all time fav's. Started listening in 72 and when Al went solo I followed. Probably one of the greatest four person jazz group ever assembled.

Yea this entire record, incredible! When this came out, we were…….. MIND BLOWN!!!! Had never heard ANYTHING like that before! I still get chills up and down my spine, entry single time I listen to it! Some of it literary brings me to tears!!

👍👍 More fusion!

Lucky enough to see them at the Beacon Theater in 1981... brings back memories

IMHO this is Al’s best acoustic solo ever!

One of the best albums I've ever heard, and the title track will always be my favorite. Bought this album back in the early 1970's. My musical universe was forever expanding to destinations that only God could have created for my ears and my mind to dissect and absorb. It's a destination I continue to explore, hoping to discover another "Romantic Warrior".

I actually saw them live when this album came out. They played in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam (where all the prestigious classical orchestras play, and which has superb acoustics). I was totaly stunned at the end of the concert with the feeling that I had just witnessed four gods from a different dimension play heavenly music ). My seat was right behind the band (close to Lenny White, the drummer) and the sound quality was great throughout the concert hall. One of my most memorable musical experiences ever. You should now review the rest of this amazing album! Btw, the very last studio track from this version of RTF you will be able to find on Chick's Touchstone album from 1982. It is called 'Compadres.' RTF is never mentioned on the album, with Stanley Clarke, Al DiMeola and Lenny White simply listed as some of the guest musicians. They just happened to play together on this one track. Rumor at the time was that there was interest in a new RTF album, but that there were legal obstacles (with some if not all of the four members under contract with different recording companies). 'Compadres' is a track of almost 10 minutes. Definitely worthy of a review! Here is the link: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4v0oyeVpELc.htmlsi=AEAwqAk5KOEYYlba

I saw Return to Forever do this in '76 at the Spectrum in Philly. I have had the Romantic Warrior album in LP, cassette, CD, and MP3 since I was 19. I'm no master musician but to me, this is as close to perfection as I have heard from then until now, Al was only 22 on this album.

I was a hard rock drummer and I started listening to fusion .. went to see them in Omaha! They played this entire album live and my jaw hit the fkn ground no one reading music and even looking at their hands best thing I've ever seen 5:39

From rock to prog to jazz fusion then to Miles Davis and Coltrane. That was my early music progression. Another great jazz fusion band was Weather Report - Jaco Pastorius on bass! All the musicians in Return to Forever are outstanding.

It was literally a supergroup with amazing musicians. Outstanding performance.

I remember a buddy of mine took (borrowed without asking) and brought it to my house so I could hear it. There was probably 10 people at my house and when he played it all the guys except me were into it. But me and the girls they hated it I just couldn't dig it. But how niave I was after listening to it and not just hearing it I began to grow. Musically. Then that exposed me to the great John McLaughlin and Mahavisnue Orchestra. Then Weather Report. For a die hard Zeppelin, Floyd and Sabbath fan it was a hard sell but I'm so glad I bought it. Kinda like Zappa that is an acquired taste and once isn't enough. Again you need to listen to what's happening not just hear it. This stuff is top 40 for a reason these guys are the crem of the crem and what top 49 musicians go home and put on the stereo. Thanks Doug for bringing something great to the masses so they can hear for themselves.

It is being bowed. Stanley is a very accomplished classical bassist.

Great videos. You need to do some on Al Dimeola's first 3 albums, Land Of The Midnight Sun, Elegant Gyspy and Casino. Unbelievable playing and song writing.

Fantastic choice! One of the best albums all categories 😁

You could do a whole series on the band and its variations, then all the individuals that went solo. In the early days of progressive FM radio, you might hear this, then Black Sabbath, Cream, Yes and Gentle Giant, Joni Mitchell then Laura Nyro, along with Broadway, Bruce and Billy, Tim Buckley and Dylan...and on and on. and on.....

It's just so amazingly sophisticated harmonically, and because Chick and Stanley are so dominant in the band they always make sure the arrangements have great rhythmic ideas.

One of the greatest jazz lineups of all time! A Tour de Force!

Thought you and listeners would like that! I copped it anew, and it has never veered from my top shelf. The whole album is a masterclass in kicking ass. "Duel of the Tyrant and Jester" as the name implies, is another tour de force. One crisp autumn day, I was sauntering over the lovely grounds and sculpture garden of the DeCordova Museum, in that castle in the leafy suburb of Lincoln, Massachusetts. Suddenly I heard music coming from the wood, and followed the sound to a small stage in that wood, with a few benches, and Chick Corea and Gary Burton playing away, for maybe 25 people, mostly stoned, if gauging by the high quality of air in the vicinity. It was magical. It was Chick. Tres Chick. ~db

One of my favourite tracks of all time. Each solo has it's own voicing, style and charachter. They all play with incredible chops but never with arrogrance, flashyness or anything that would communicate ego; just four brilliant musicians each giving each other space to play. The unison runs are amazing. Al Di Meola's solo is absolutely incredible.

Great choice! One of my all-time favorites. I got to see RTF live at the 10yr reunion. I still get chills when I think about the acoustic second half. The audience got to jam with the band by clapping rhythms as directed by Chick. Magic.

Couldn't click on this reaction quicker!! Absolute classic 💜

Jazz fusion hype! Love this album, and can't wait to see more fusion on the channel. Thanks for the videos!

Well done! Each of these performers, and all that followed in this band, were and are the finest musicians in their class. Superstars all, and when combined with such precision...wow, just wow! This thing, jazz fusion, is most definitely a feast for the soul. Thank you sir!

You should do Chick's Spanish Heart and/or Mad Hatter. Both are more like soundtracks but an amazing mix of acoustic jazz, fusion and even string quartets.

Great reaction to an astounding band. If you want more Jazz Fusion, check out some stuff by Jean-Luc Ponty. He recorded with most of these guys as well, at some point or another.

Best recording by any jazz fusion band ever

I recommend you the next album, released after Romantic Warrior, entitled 'Musicmagic' especially great songs like 'The Musician' or 'Endless Night'. It would also be great to see your reaction to one of Chick's best compositions: 'Duel of the Jester and the Tyrant (Part I & Part II)' also from 'Romantic Warrior'. This line-up (you can call it Return To Forever II) recorded only 3 albums. Return To Forever I (first two albums) actually was not a fusion band and only Chick and Stanley Clarke were there from this line-up. New music was recorded by Chick Corea with Stanley Clark, Al Di Meola and Lenny White on a 1982 Chick's album called 'Touchstone'

Weather Report or solo Stanley are great examples of fusion

More jazz fusion would be welcome on the DD. So much goodness to explore. Each of these players has an extensive solo career, plus tons of other collaborations with other musicians. You could easily do a full year of DD episodes just exploring what these guys have been up to, and there are tons of other great fusion groups to familiarize yourself with. Happy exploring!

Hi Doug, i hear this song for the first time. Fantastic . Thank you for present it. Gruss aus Deutschland

This is the SUPER GROUP of the era.

As I recall from reading reviews when this came out, this particular song was a response to those jazz purists attacking the band for playing electric jazz fusion. They did this piece with all acoustic instruments as you noted. Was indeed Stanley using the bow on the bass off and on, Al showed off his Spanish guitar chops, and miracle of miracles they got Lenny White to play with a high degree of subtlety and touch, compared to a lot his other work with the band where he just cuts loose. Chick's solo is just sublime. There is an incredible live version from 1976 of this song out there on RU-vid that is almost shocking to watch. These guys were true masters and Al is only 22 at this point.

I love your appreciation towards this song and band. And Lenny White is the unsung hero of this album.

Thanks Doug! The record that got me into fusion. High hopes of this making the EP Lounge someday in it's entirety!

My favorite song of all time. Thanks for reviewing Doug. I am a little surprised you did not mention the use of rubato in the main riff, that is what bonded me to the song. Thanks again!

Truly an all-star line-up, Stanley's a monster and Al went on to be awarded album of the year for Elegant Gypsy by Guitar Player Magazine in 77. Stanley Al and John Luc Ponty made a great album together called The Right Of Strings.

Wow did you bring back memories there. I remember seeing these guys on a couple of occasions in Detroit in the early 70s just incredible musicianship! And that indeed is a bow you are hearing on a bass played by Stanley. I saw them at the blind pig and was just blown away. I was a drummer predominantly at that time just learning guitar and after listening to Al, yeah I kind of want to throw it away but I didn’t. Thank you so much for that now I’ve got to dig out that album!

So great to see you experience one of the greats or actually a group of greats.

Had the pleasure of seeing them do Romantic Warrior live (mostly acoustic set - though memory is less now! Much beer has lowed under the bridge!) at Manchester Place Theatre around 1976. Phenomenal, still up there with my best musical experiences ever. Way up there with Yes live! All maestros on their instruments the whole album is a masterpiece.

Chick Correa was the real thing- an artistic genius of the highest order! What a band and a singularly brilliant recording. I’m knew you’d dig it! If you’re digging into great fusion, check out Circle with Correa/Braxton/Holland/Altschul and the Mahavishnu Orchestra circa “Visions of the Emerald Beyond” with Jean-Luc Ponty and Narada Michael Walden on drums. 😊

One of the greatest jazz fusion-progressive rock albums and bands of all time. No question, this recording is a masterwork, and even today stands the test of time. Like a fine wine, it has aged very well.

"Medieval Overture" is my favorite song from this album, but they are all fantastic.

RTF were such a superb composition-oriented band. Such dexterity. Such passion and power. Each member has been successful individually. Each is a virtuoso.

Again you've hit the mother load along with Zappa and/ or Mahavishnu Orchestra;a golden era.Would include severai versions of King Crimson.For my taste ''light as a feather'' was this other masterpiece of Chick and exceptionnal collaborators.

There was a FM channel in Cincinnati, the very first AOR station in the nation. That reserved Sunday nights for Progressive and Fusion albums. And thats where i first heard of all these groups.

Thank you so much for posting a jazz fusion piece from Return to Forever. I love Chick Corea's playing the piano. All musicians on this record are one of the best in the world on their instruments. Waiting for more from this musical genre from Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report, .......🥰

Was lucky enough to see this line-up (and believe it was the Romantic Warrior tour) in DC back in the day. Amazing musicians! Of course every ensemble Chick put together was nothing short of world class!

Great video.. Nice to get your insights while listening to this iconic Romantic Warrior. Such a benchmark performance..

I love this track and that album all together. Glad you did this one.

An incredibly powerful electric album containing an equally powerful acoustic title track. This is one of my desert island discs!

I highly recommend you listen to Corea's duet album with Gary Burton on vibes called Crystal Silence....

Thanks for your reactions My prefered one on this Album is the 2nd Track : Sorceress. You should try it, this one is very electric.

Back in the early 80's took my now-wife to see RTF at the Bottom Line in NYC...all original guys, Chick, Al, Stanley, and Lenny...I've never heard anything quite like it to this day! I wore this album out more than once and had to buy multiple copies over the years, have a CD copy as well and I'm waiting for my new Geshelli DAC to arrive so I can break that sucker in with some proper ammo...RTF!

What a great album! This is one of the 2 seminal jazz fusion albums along with Myles Davis' "Bitches Brew." I love this album and am glad you're introducing it to people who've probably never heard it. With 4 of the best jazz musicians this is truly a supergroup.

Doug! I'm so glad you are going over RTF. Great work, keep it up!! As soon as you can, you should start doing videos on Al Di Meola. He's an absolute wizard on the guitar and as a guitar player myself, he is one of my personal favorites to study music from. All his discography is fantastic. Some songs that would be great to check out: "Casino", "Kiss My Axe", Egyptian Danza, Race with Devil on Spanish Highway", Midnight Tango, and Electric Rendezvous

*Thumbs up before the video starts! These guys Rule!* 7:50 That's the Fusion! => Jazz/Rock Edit: Check out The Duel Of The Jester And The Tyrant from the same record.. It's Outstanding!

I am older. Bought this when it was first released. Still sounds fresh.

Growing up in the 70's with both prog and fusion was the greatest musical background anyone could ask for. It was the basis of my development and has allowed me (and others with a similar experience) to to do things that those who were not exposed to it find perplexing. Tempo changes, odd time signature, fast runs, complex arrangements, technical virtuosity, tight figures, contrapuntal polyrhythms -- no problem.

Absolutely! Progressive rock in a jazz sauce!

New subscriber. Love the channel. This is a long time fave track. So glad to hear your insight, which I felt myself yelling at the TV enthusiastically right with you, Doug. Anyway, this era of RTF had more in common with ELP than Miles Davis. Keep up the great work. Cheers, from Chicago! 🎶

Greatest keyboardist of our generation, a modern day Mozart or Bach. RIP Chick Corea.

you made note of the acoustic solos, it reminded me of a line Lenny White said on a live recording of this. He said Chick is going to play some acoustic piano, Stanley's gonna play some acoustic bass, Al on acoustic guitar and I am going to play some acoustic drums for ya'!!! You should check that video out this live was amazing. I got to see RTF's final concert tour and when they played this I gave my binoculars to my wife and child to see what these guys were doing

Extraordinaire work of the stellar line-up lead by Armando Anthony Corea. Thank y’all for making & sharing this.

Jazz musicians created a prog rock band! I love it! Steely Dan meets Tangerine Dream! Or something like that. These guys are quite talented! I heard them for the first time just yesterday. They'll have a place in my collection for sure! Try listening to some of the other tracks on this album. Pretty awesome!

Excellent observation Doug. This album is on the cusp between jazz-rock and prog-rock, so it can be classified either way.

I have always been a huge jazz fusion fan, Great choice. Band was amazing. Al di Meola was young then too.

Glad you did this one. I think it's amazing

I saw their reform tour in 2008 or 2009, and they were absolutely incredible! Lenny White is sensational!

Yeaahhh!.Return to Forever!!!!! The composition Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy (from 0:57 to 1:57) has some similitudes with the Genesis progressive rock composition Dancing With The Moonlit Knight (4:40 to 5:43). Both albums are from 1973 😃🎶

They had an all acoustic track on most albums. This is so intense and funky you almost forget there are no electric instruments.

Hi Doug, and thanks for featuring this brilliant offering from RTF! You mentioned a desire to listen to more jazz fusion, and in that vein, I have been listening to Bill Bruford's 'Back to the Beginning' for decades, and would love to hear your take on it! Please consider this my official request for this cut off his 'Feels Good to Me' album. Features Allan Holdsworth -g, Jeff Berlin-b, Dave Stewart-k, and sweet offbeat vocals from Annette Peacock. Happy Holidays and be well!

Now you are talking Doug. One of my all time favorites. This is as close to perfiect an album you can get. This sounds sooo good on my Sansui 8080db. Just started listening and suggest you do the entire album. It is a concept album.

Wow! Some jazz! What a group. Everyone of these guys could lead their own group. And I love their work solo. I know jazz is not that popular but I'm very happy to see you feature this band. What this reminds me of in the rock world is Zappa.

When I hear this song it relieves my back pain.

Yes, Stanley is playing a double bass with a bow on the intro to his solo. Then he plays the bass solo without the bow. The song Romantic Warrior is an acoustic piece. Return To Forever would perform acoustic pieces such as the song "No Mystery."

My best friend and I wore the grooves off this when it came out. It is indeed a thin line between prog and fusion, the main differences are prog usually has vocals and more classical and folk influences, while fusion was mostly the province of jazzers who incorporated rock idioms, eg, the rhythms and also, maybe crucially, distortion.

Awesome band and a great piece. I have that Album. Very gifted mucisians in that band.