Customer Reviews

Duet: Chick & Hiromi

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Apparently Chick Corea and Hiromi push each other's creative buttons. Corea is always reliable, but on this recording he sounds like he's 25 again. And Hiromi rose to the challenge of playing with such a legend. What's surprising is how seamless their playing is. Individually they have very distinctive approaches to the piano, but here they often sound like one person with four hands.

Not every cut is equally bracing. There are a few that sound more like the players are coasting through old standards, but many of the pieces here are surprisingly bold, thorny, and out on the edge (which is just the way I like it). At times they sound like Cecil Taylor, which is quite welcome, but very surprising. "Spain" hasn't sounded this fresh in decades. What's perhaps most notable about the performance is the communication and interplay between Corea and Hiromi. They're playing in hair-trigger mode all the time, following each other's lead so instantaneously that at times it seems as though they're playing written-out parts in unison (though this happens in such unlikely places that you know it is in fact improvised). And that kind of super-alert attitude gives all the playing a tremendous immediacy and vitality. All in all a very rewarding CD.

Chick Corea was a favorite of mine in the 1970s. I just discovered and fell in love with Hiromi's energetic music this year. So I was pretty stoked to hear about this live "Duet" CD. I was hesitant to spring the cash, though, until I saw Chick & Hiromi perform "Spain" on YouTube. That did it. See for yourself! And yet in my opinion there are other songs on the two CDs that are even better! My favorites so far include "How Insensitive" (Jobim), "Fool on the Hill" (Lennon/McCartney), and "Do Mo (Children's Song #12)" (Chick Corea). There are NO mediocre tracks; all are wondrous!

To use the word legendary, when speaking of Hiromi or Chick, is to use a word that is not strong enough. These are simply the best pianists and writers alive. Period. And to put them together is a magical musical event. I have owned the Japanese version of this CD for some time now, and it is one that a person can listen to time after time after time, and continue to be amazed. I will not be at all surprised to see Chick and Hiromi at the 2010 Grammys, accepting an award for FOOL ON THE HILL. Thank you, Hiromi, and thank you, Chick, for this beautiful gift to Earth.

The conversation between Chick and Hiromi on the piano is amazing. Watching the actual show on youtube gives you a better idea how this phenomenal conversation takes place. Sometimes Chick leads and Hiromi follows, while at other times Hiromi is challenging Chick with fast transitions.

One of the best albums I have recently listened to.

I heard one of the selections from this CD on the radio and was instantly hooked. Off to the web to see a YouTube video of Chick & Hiromi performing and there was no question that I needed to get the CD. All the songs are excellent and exciting to listen to. Chick & Hiromi are very in tune with one another and have come up with a virtually perfect performance.

This album just makes me happy every time that I listen to it. I am a big fan of much of the young Jazz talent that Concord has, especially Hiromi. This is a beautiful album. Hiromi and Chick have played in the past, and it is nice to see them lay something down for all of us to enjoy. They make a great team, and I am sure that we will see them together again in the future (at least I really hope that we do). "Place to Be" is quickly becoming my favorite song of all time, really, it is that good.

The only minor complaint that I have is there seems to be some clanking of dishes/silverware in the back round, so if that isn't something that you'll be able to look past then I recommend against this album for you. Otherwise Enjoy!

This CD Duet Chick & Hiromi is both artists showcasing their artisty, but I felt that it was too "competitive". Instead of a wonderful collaborative listening experience, I felt as if I listened to two great artists competing with each other. They did not blend and complement each other as much as fight for center stage. I much prefer Hiromi's solo album Place To Be to this collaboration.

These are two heavey hitters, Im just floored not only by the power but by the grace with wich Chick and Hiromi build such a luscious soundscape.