ECM Touchstones: Trio Music, Live In Europe

Chick Corea | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 26, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 1984
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ecm Records
• ASIN: B001BOX2WW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #82,583 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, excellent album, October 25, 2001

By 

C. Robinson (San Mateo, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Trio Music Live in Europe (Audio CD)

I'd give it four and a half stars if I could. I've had this album since the 80's and it just keeps getting better...not world changing on the order of 'A Love Supreme' or 'Charles Mingus Presents Charles Mingus', but a great recording of three talented musicians having a good night.

You get the impression that these guys were on tour for a long time: the ensemble work sounds telepathic. A rich and diverse journey, 'Live in Europe' starts out light with 'The Loop' and ends dark with a sublime 'Mirovisions'. Adventurous listening is provided along the way in the form of solo workouts from each member of the band: 'Prelude No.1/Mock Up' is about as exciting a piano improvisation as I've ever heard Chick Corea do (but I by no means have heard them all), 'Transformation' is a moody bowed bass solo, and 'Hittin' It' an atmospheric exploration of what must be a huge collection of exotic cymbals & bells.

Besides the great music, this album is notable (as, I've heard, all ECM releases are) for its sparkling production quality. Sound staging is excellent even on my non-audiophile system. It's hard to imagine how this was recorded live, as the stage must have been littered with microphone stands.

This album rewards close scrutiny as well as working perfectly well as background music when company comes over. A good choice for fans of any of the musicians represented, but more than that a stirring example of the fine art of jazz trio.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A reference recording in every sense, September 30, 2006

By 

Jazzcat "stef" (Genoa, Italy Italy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trio Music Live in Europe (Audio CD)

This is really one of those albums that have a special quality, a special magic inside. This is just one of those record you really would own. Believe me. One of those specials you search for going from one shop to another hungry for good music. This is it. It is REALLY one of the best records I own and in my case this means a lot because I own several thousands of Jazz records by masters of any era. This record is the document of a magic evening that Chick, Roy and Miroslav spent together playing the best music of their lifes. It is even, take note please, one of the best recorded trio music ever. If you are an AUDIOPHILE like myself you will find a very gratifying recording. Simply sit in front of your loudspeakers and let the music do the talking. No word from these guys is invain here. Everything is absolutly perfect believe me. This live album is one of the albums I take as a reference when people talk to me about Jazz trio. I don't own he other recording from this trio, the studio date, but I doubt it could be incredible as this one .. but I will buy it ASAP. The guys. Roy is jazz drumming , the contest is over. GAME OVER, Roy's the man! Miroslav is a very interesting bass player, with a big sound and very precious ideas and lines. And Chick .. consider that ususally, I don't particularly like Chick Corea's playing ... but in this case I can't do nothing but adore it. The program is very balanced there are standards and moments of a sort of classical music that is simply splendid. PURE MAGIC.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant listening, but not much real excitement, October 9, 2008

By 

Dave Deubler (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: ECM Touchstones: Trio Music, Live In Europe (Audio CD)

An often pleasant but generally uneven recording from piano great Chick Corea and company. The three opening numbers: "The Loop", "I Hear a Rhapsody", and the medley "Summer Night/Night and Day" are bright and energetic and very pleasant listening, especially the bass breaks by the always brilliant Miroslav Vitous. But none of this material strikes me as very innovative - just your basic cocktail jazz, played very well, of course, but no more. Where's the fire? Where's the synergy that makes the band more than the sum of its parts? Instead the focus shifts to the individual players for the next three numbers: Corea provides some quiet, sensitive moments in the overlong "Prelude No. 2/Mock Up", then Vitous takes bow in hand for a technically proficient but tedious "Transformation", followed by Roy Hynes' arrhythmic "Hittin' It" (a real disappointment considering how impressive Hynes is in driving the first couple of numbers). Another Vitous composition, "Mirovisions", rounds out the set, starting with another bowed bass lead and picking up steam only after Corea takes over and the bass resumes its natural rhythmic function. This is perhaps the most ambitious and aggressively innovative piece presented, but it's not strong enough to merit recommending a purchase in itself. Comprised of three good tracks, one very good track, and three not-so-good, I don't consider this release much better than average. Add one star if you're a big fan of bowed acoustic bass. Otherwise, three and half seems generous.