Customer Reviews

Like Minds

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Though Gary Burton, arguably the world's preeminent vibes jazz player, is the name at the top of the marquis on this new release from the venerable Concord Jazz label, much of the initial excitement here is the result of the first meeting on record of guitarist Pat Metheny and pianist Chick Corea. Considering the lofty status of both players, it's hard to believe they haven't paired before. The rhythm section is rounded out by the venerable team of Roy Haynes and Dave Holland on drums and bass. All five of the players are kindred spirits, having played together frequently through the years, save for the Metheny-Corea combination. The mind meld between Burton and Corea is as tight as can be imagined, with these two players having a long history together. On "Like Minds" it is Corea and Metheny's compositional talents that take center stage. Each offer well known chestnuts from their repertoire - in Corea's case, it is the lilting jazz waltz, "Windows" (perhaps my favorite track), while Metheny's classic "Question and Answer" is given a fresh treatment. Burton's "Country Roads" is offered as well and all three composers contribute new pieces for the project. The album notes reveal that most of the recordings are either first or second takes. The technical level of the performances, as one would expect, is mind-blowing. There is an emphasis on stretching out and just "blowing" on the album as opposed to intricate arrangements. The three lead instruments cover some of the melody lines in unison, but Metheny generally foregoes comping on the album, letting Corea's active left hand provide most of the harmonic structure. All of the soloists are in rare form and all of them really take advantage of the format here to "stretch out". "Like Minds" doesn't attempt to appeal to the non-jazz audience the way that some projects by the principles here have in the past, such as Metheny's group projects, and Corea's Elektric Band. Rather, the band burns through straight-ahead charts in traditionalist fashion with world class precision. It's a kick hearing Corea and Metheny on the same stage and I hope that these two will collaborate again.

Not having heard the (apparently) inferior sound of the original recording, I'm struggling to imagine its problems. You see, the sound on this SACD hybrid is nothing short of ravishing, save, perhaps, for a slight thinness that occasionally crops up in relation to Corea's piano which, oddly, seems to lack the brilliance and sonority of the very best instruments. The sound image, apart from that small annoyance, is simply stunning for the rest of the instruments, especially Roy Haynes's drums, which snap, snarl, and bubble with consummate authority. Complaints about Metheny being underrecorded on the original disc, or there being a general lack of clarity, simply do not appertain.

As far as the the performances, this disc finds the players completely engaged and in finest conversational fettle. Whatever is called for--fleetness, emotion, group interaction--each member delivers, seemingly offhandedly, gracing the proceedings with a aura of musical authority that cannot be gainsaid. Indeed, the sheer fluidity, the ease of execution, belies jazz enacted at the very highest level of expression.

This transcendent disc has scarcely left my player since I recently acquired it. I'm convinced it represents a high point in the careers of all the players. Highest recommendation.

A great album with a tremendous amount to offer the listener. Recently received the Grammy for Jazz Instrumental Individual/Group, and it certainly deserved it. Burton, Metheny, and Corea play off each other marvelously, weaving a hypnotic tapestry of music against a solid rhythm section which will delight the listener every time he or she plays this disc. These cats sound great, and the disc is solid from start to finish, no need for the "next track" button here. Add to shopping cart.

This is definitely a worthy CD to purchase. Granted, this is not really a 'working' band, but rather 5 of the greatest living players on their respective instruments coming together to play. Therefore, I can understand some of the reviewers saying this is a jam session. It is. But Holy Cow can these guys play! Unlike most all-star line-ups that happen in the jazz industry, where the listener can tell that there is no rapport, this session sounds so fresh to my ears, and the general vibe is that all of the players are having FUN and really enjoying each other. It's like every player is having a field day with each solo, and everyone is totally grooving on each other.

I can't think of too many other recent CD's that have given me that feeling.

This one is really special.

The history of bringing together superstars is mixed, sometimes people don't mesh the way you'd hope. In this case, you could've guessed Gary Burton, Chick Corea, and Pat Metheny would be simpatico. The result is as you'd expect, harmonious jazz songs. The ideal jazz for me has some blues, or dissonance, or funk, or some impolite parts. Sometimes my wife likes to call it "neurotic". My wife likes this CD, it isn't "neurotic". I like it too, it's good, but not the stuff I'd listen to 100% of the time. "Like Minds" is my favorite song. So far I haven't talked about Dave Holland -- his playing is very diverse, and he's great on this CD. This is the only modern Roy Haynes drumming I have, he's still as good as when he played on Coltrane's "Impressions".

This is one of the best straight ahead jazz albums I have ever listened to. For all of my friends who have complained about the listen-ability of straight ahead jazz, I would suggest this album. It is good from start to finish, and I have never appreciated a drummer the way I have in listening to Roy Haynes.

The only odd thing may be that Corea's piano sounds a little electric or off at times. This could be from the mix it could be form the piano tuner or manufacturer. Chick plays it very well as usual though. As a pianist of 35 years, I think its the piano more than anything, the voicing of the piano 2nd, and the mix 3rd.

This album is about two things: a light vibrant and brilliant instrumentation (opposite of heavy sounding) and musical interplay. If you listen carefully to the cymbals, the vibe, the guitar youll get the idea. Holland holds up the low end beautifully with resonant tone and musical involvement. Corea serves as the catalyst for much of interaction. There is a lot of point and counterpoint in terms of free ideas interwoven within the melody. This album is far from a jamm session.

If you are into the thought that goes behind the playing, then you'll really enjoy this album. If you listen to it like Jazz Improv 101 at the community college (we play the head then we all take a few choruses) then youll hate it.

Cognition, Timbre and Interplay all set a beautiful mood for the album's entirety.

This album is a must have. Dave Holland and Roy Haynes hold down the time so effortlessly. Every player complements every other player so well that if someone is phrasing in triplets or sixteenths the rest of the group is really feeling that time too. It's hard to describe but the interplay on this disc is about as good as it gets and it feels so natural and swinging. The song selection was well planned. There are very slow tunes as well as very fast ones, making this a good album to listen to straight through. Unfortunately the mix is not as good as it should be. Pat and especially Dave sound particularly muddy. But I bet it would be difficult to mix for three chordal melody instruments, piano, vibes and guitar with such similar overtones. Still, this disc would be worth buying just for Dave... or Pat... or Chick... or Gary... or Roy. Everyone is so turbo-fantastic!

Anyone who may be nursing an interest in jazz music, and isn't quite sure where to start, make this your third purchase. Third? Yes, right after "Birth Of The Cool" by Miles Davis, and "Giant Steps" by John Coltrane, then "Like Minds." For a jazz veteran, BUY THIS NOW! An absolutely beautiful collection.

When you get Gary Burton, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny and Roy Haynes together, expectations are bound to be high. And do they ever deliver. These players are not only at the top of their game (and have been for 20 years +) but they have played together in some manner earlier (but never all together). These players have an uncanny ability to hear and respond to each other. The interplay or "conversations" offer some of the most beautiful yet complex listening that I have heard in years. Great musicianship, wonderful compositions along with what sounds like deep mutual respect has made a classic recording that any jazz fan should own and study - and enjoy - for years and years.