Customer Reviews

Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Herbie Hancock

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

 

 

DisorderLY is how pianist Herbie Hancock's career has been, for better AND worse! For those unfamiliar with one or more periods of Hancock's career, he began in the 1960s with a series of mainstream jazz albums for BLUE NOTE, while concurrently playing in one of Miles Davis' greatest combos. The first five tracks of this collection offer five key early Hancock performances/compositions--MAIDEN VOYAGE in particular is as good as jazz gets!

Though not all would agree with me, I believe electronics and funkier Sly Stone-like rhythms were creatively fused with jazz by Hancock in the mid-1970s, as represented here by CHAMELEON and ACTUAL PROOF. After that--again, an arguable point--I see Hancock spending most of the next two decades in two unsatisfactory musical climates: Firstly, a series of uninspiring acoustic small-group jazz reunions with primarily his former Miles Davis sidemen. Secondly, concocting mostly tepid disco/funk excursions that relegated Hancock's improvisation-based keyboard talents into limbo. Neither setting is represented here.

One exception: Herbie's three mid-1980s collaborations with Bill Laswell had a progressive edge. I think this collection would have had better continuity if AUTODRIVE--with an acoustic piano solo by H.H.--had been included instead of the sololess MTV hit ROCKIT...but I guess the latter was too popular to ignore. Finally in the 1990s, Hancock showed signs of trying to place his keyboard talents in fresh surroundings, which brings us to the mid-90's track YOU GOT IT BAD GIRL...where his multiple musical personalities seemed to converge for the first time in two decades.

For the potential buyer, be forewarned that this CD moves into areas so musically diverse that you may wonder how these tracks can be by the same artist. Rest assured, even us long-time Hancock fans continue to ask that question. It is somewhat enigmatic--and maybe appropriate--that the last quarter century of Herbie's career is represented by two tracks, while roughly the first decade gets seven cuts. For newcomers, this disc will give you a sufficient sampling...then you can explore any or all periods further if you like some or all of what you hear.

Yes, I am a big fan of Herbie Hancock in his many incarnations. He has created memorable albums and tunes that have now spanned more than 30 years, and trying to get an overview of his work is not necessarily the easiest of tasks. For instance, if you are only familiar with his 70's hits or the "Headhunters" years, you could easily miss out on some of his early pure jazz tunes which have been sampled and sampled for the last decade or so.

This album takes many of the hits from "The Best of Herbie Hancock; The Blue Note Years" and adds in a few additional tunes that show his wide range of styles, both acoustic and electric. If you own more than two of Herbie Hancocks albums, then this might not be the collection for you, but for those unfamiliar with his work, this might just be the introductory collection that gets you hooked. Highly recommended.

Before getting this album, the only song of Hancock's that I was really familiar with was "Rockit", although I had heard "Chameleon" once or twice. So it was a nice suprize to hear his many styles of jazz on one album. Some people may not like his electric, synthesizer-driven jazz of the 70's, but for someone who is not sure, this album is a great place to decide, as it has a good variety of his styles. Including his more "traditional" earlier stuff as well. The booklet includes photos and an informative essay on Hancock.

The Ken Burns Jazz series of compilations, have been, by and large, succinct but well-chosen, and affordable, one-disc compilations of the entire careers of some of the greats of jazz. Herbie Hancock is perhaps the youngest and most contemporary artist to get this retrospective treatment (and if I'm not mistaken, the only living jazz artist other than Dave Brubeck in the series). In my opinion, it's well deserved. Hancock has always had a knack for creating the memorable jazz melody, and many of the songs here have an enduring appeal. "Watermelon Man" became a top 40 hit for Mongo Santamaria in the '60's, and "Cantaloupe Island" was sampled for the US3 hit, "Cantaloop" in the 90's. Hancock also has had a knack for riding the crest of musical trends, often fueling them himself. Having been in Miles' Davis group in the late Sixties was certainly a contributing factor, especially when his music began to incorporate funk, as on the "Headhunters" album (represented here by "Chameleon"). His biggest hit, "Rockit", which employs funk, synths and scratching, was actually in MTV's video rotation when it was out in 1984. Some criticize Hancock for his apparent "commercializing" of jazz and embracing of rock and funk in his music, but I say he has done a splendid job of catching the ears of folks who may not normally pay attention to jazz, not to mention his influence on contemporary artists like Medeski, Martin and Wood. I don't know if an artist's forty-year career can ever be properly encapsulated on one CD, but this one does about as good a job as possible.

First, let me explain why i give 2 stars to this CD: I bought it, since i wanted to be acquainted with Hancock's music. Well, i feel that this is an inteligent selection and an excellent compilation in any respect. So this is the reason for the 2 stars.

Now, what about the 3 other stars? well, 2 gone for the bad music: Hancock's music from the 60's sounds simply like an elevator music; his music from the 70's and 80's sounds like a bad pop music that do every efort to sound more than that; and the music from the 90's? Well, this is a recycling facility.

The third star gone for the non honest and totally flattering notes of Peter Keepnews, otherwise i don't understand the connection between what he wrote to what i heard. It seems to me that Mr. Keepnews is quite in good terms with Mr. Hancock...

Last, I have 8 other cd's from this series, and all of them represent a superb artists. So i wander what was the reason to include here such a mediocre musician like Herbie Hancock rather than giant pianists like Art Tatum, Fats Waller, Bud Powel and Bill Evans. Yes, unbelivable!

If there's one word I think of every time I listen to this CD, it's "Evolution." It's fun to watch Herbie Hancock change from his early days as one of the greatest jazz piano players, through his "Headhunters" period, all the way to the pop hit "Rockit". Quality for music for long time jazz fans and beginners alike. Recommended.

I can only recommend this to the Hancock faithful because of the inclusion of "Tell Me a Bedtime Story," which has not been available since the LP release of 'Fat Albert Rotunda' on Warners in 1969. As I had lost that album long ago, I was pleased to see it had been included on this Ken Burns Jazz compilation.

As far as being a unified listening experience, "Rock It" is a major bump in the road for me stylistically, as I realize this set is supposed to represent a journey, not a balanced listening hour. I'm sure "Rock It" has its fans; I'm not one of them.

However, the great gem "Speak Like a Child" IS included here, as is "Maiden Voyage". "Chameleon" is always great, despite the fact I think I exhausted it in the 70s when it appeared and blew us all away. Kudos to whomever included "Actual Proof" from the Thrust LP; it's killer. I do wish "Vein Melter" could have substituted for "Rock It", however, and a few snippets of Herbie's fine tinkling for the film 'Blow-Up'(1966) would have put it over the top.

Herbie Hancock can Be Genius&then all over the place.He is a Great Musical Talent but some things have left me puzzled.if you are new to His work this is a cool place to begin&understand what has made Him the Artist that He is.you get His straight ahead style from the 60's then His Funk Inspired 70's style,The 80's Pop&Hip-Hop.all that combined in the 90's.some things work some don't.i have collected many of His records over the years&you feel many different vibes from Him.this is a good overview to a very important musical career.

Every song on this disc is derivative and dull EXCEPT for "Rockit" (which doesn't hold up very well after all these years) and "Chameleon." "Chameleon" is on HEADHUNTERS, so you might as well just buy that CD instead. This album is full of bad imitations of the polite jazz from the 1950s. Non-creative, forgettable, etc. "Actual Proof" sounds like an outtake from Zappa's ONE SIZE FITS ALL, which gives it a certain time-warped charm.

But still...one star.