Customer Reviews

The Jazz Channel Presents Herbie Hancock (BET on Jazz)

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

 

 

I really do enjoy this DVD but when comparing to Herbie's other releases certain faults become glaring. First of all the overall sound and video production is no where near as good as Herbie's Future 2 Future Live DVD, then again that is probably the best overall production I have ever seen and heard. In this Jazz Channel DVD the drums are a little muffled and the acoustic bass is almost completely missing from the mix. The band on the whole also seems a little "loose" on the form of a couple of tunes and one gets the impression they haven't been playing as a unit for very long. My last gripe about the DVD is that no where on the back cover or anywhere in the "credits" is there a list of the amazing musicians playing with Herbie. Of course you can find out who the executive producer is but who's playing bass? Who's on the trumpet? The sax? To me that is a list of people who should be at the top of the credits... the people playing the music!

Being a long time HH fan, I was nonetheless not sure about picking this one up since other jazz concert DVD's (straight ahead AND fusion) that I've bought sound nice but can get monotonous after a few plays.

Now I can say it's the best concert DVD in my collection. Herbie's never sounded better, the recording is absolutely stunning sonically, and the material is so good with so much constant variety and awesome musicianship all around that there's never a dull moment.

When people come over, this is the music DVD I put on. They're always floored by the sound. One guy actually paid over $20K to buy all the components in my stereo setup for himself after seeing and hearing this DVD. He had to have it all. Lucky I didn't play any other DVD's while he was there..

After owning many LPs and CD's of Herbie over the years, I can tell you this is the one I always knew he had in him. I can't imagine anyone with any sense of musicality being disappointed.

Although I enjoy Herbie's electronic stuff, I think he's at his best playing acoustic. This DVD is an excellent example of his acoustic side. The percussionist adds alot of color and depth to the more traditional jazz quintet format. The surround mix is natural, not gimmickey as some other surround products are.

Overall a very dynamic performance, well captured. It's good to know that acoustic jazz is being presented in good form. The only thing that could surpass this DVD would be going to see this ensemble live. I hope I get the chance.

got to see this Concert when it aired&also wanted to have it again.Herbie Hancock just brings so much to the way you hear&feel the richness of a Piano.Herbie Hancock truly has done some incredible things in His Long vast career.this set showcases His Genius&vibe.enjoy.

Well, I purchased this DVD and enjoy plently...After a long research I've found the mysterious musician's that their names doesn't show the DVD...But at the last minutes on Herbie's interview (Meet the Artist chapter) he mentioned them, and here are their names: Ciro Baptista on percussion; Terri Lyme Carrington on drums; Ira Coleman on bass; Eli Degibri on sax; and Eddie Henderson on trumpet. Hope this help.

I stumbled across this great review on another site. It includes the credits which are shamefully missing from the dvd. I hope Mr. Dryden doesn't mind my reposting of his review. I'd like to add that as a musician I can highly recommend this concert to other players who will appreciate its extremely high level of musical interplay. Furthermore, it includes some of the most gorgeous trumpet/flugelhorn playing I've ever encountered. ~ Kevin Clark
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This circa 2001 concert, videotaped for broadcast on BET's The Jazz Channel features Herbie Hancock leading a sextet with trumpeter/flugehornist Eddie Henderson, saxophonist Eli Degibri, bassist Ira Coleman, drummer Terri Lynne Carrington, and percussionist Cyro Baptista. The pianist throws caution to the wind as he launches into very abstract treatments of familiar works, with Baptista starting the concert with a long solo before "Fascinating Rhythm" briefly takes shape. Similar patterns emerge in the arrangements of "St. Louis Blues," "Cotton Tail," "Blueberry Rhyme" (written by stride master James P. Johnson), "The Man I Love," and "Here Come De Honey Man." While the adventurous improvisations of Hancock and his band will be of interest to his most devoted fans, the novelty quickly wears thin, as if the musicians are playing for themselves and forgetting entirely that an audience is present, one that rarely reacts during the performances. Hancock also takes a few liberties with his own songs at the end of the concert, though he doesn't stray nearly as far from their themes. The concert is well photographed and edited with excellent sound, though the lack of liner notes and musician credits on the outside of the package is rather inconsiderate. ~ Ken Dryden, Rovi

Credits should be as follows:

Herbie Hancock - Piano
Cyro Baptista - Percussion
Terri Lynne Carrington - Drums
Ira Coleman - Double Bass
Eli Degibri - Sax
Eddie Henderson - Trumpet

I think that's right :) A great DVD with a few mixing problems with the bass and drums at times. But otherwise a no nonsense straight forward concert.

I can't wait to receive my copy of this one. This acoustic show is the perfect accompaniment to Herbie's electronic side. I just saw Herbie "electric" in Tucson on his US opener in state of the art "Surround Sound", and let me tell you it was awesome! Although not for the jazz "purist", his electronic and fusion based stuff is good and funky. This on the other hand displays Herbie's acoustic side, while remaining fresh & funky as well. With a few new cuts and a revisting of a few older cuts, this DVD is a must have!

This DVD may be good to listen to as a movie soundtrack or to go to sleep by, but watching it is kind of boring. The musicians are great - the music gets a little boring. You can tell the people are trying to get off - nursing their glasses of water - and trying to act enthusiastic. The camera keeps trying to catch some audience interplay and enthusiasm but there is almost none. Music like this is sophisticated and beautiful - but let's be honest - it does not get people off. The most enthusiastic applause came when the set was over.

That is the problem with jazz these days - people are told to hush and contemplate the musical genius of the performers - and then they have to sit silently and watch carefully. This is not conducive to excitement. If we keep presenting jazz in this Smithsonian artifact environment we will keep it way down on the list of preferred music. You may as well be giving a speech on stem cell research. Interesting but boring.

I love jazz but I do not think I will put this beautifully produced and recorded DVD on again. It is too boring. Herbie Hancock, Carter, and Cobham in Switzerland is almost as boring. You can tell the emperor has no clothes - pretend if you want - but you can not fool all the people.