Customer Reviews

Now He Sings Now He Sobs

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While I tend to be a little dubious of Chick Corea recordings, his early stuff really smoked! Of course, what can you say about an album with Vitous and Haynes on it? What I love about Chick is his sense of melody. He never plays a melody straight, but he explores the harmony in a completely unique and beautiful way. Actually, this whole band plays in a very open, exploratory way, but their interplay is precise and tight as a sealed drum. Probably Chick's best album, EVER.

This was the first jazz album I bought and I must say that it changed my life. The interplay between this trio is mind-boggling. Though I'm not a fan of Chick, this album is definitely an exception. Listen to how they cook on the first track. This is the most integrated trio i've heard, along with the Bill Evans trio with Scott LaFaro. If you dig this album you'll also enjoy some of Bill Evans' stuff and also Pat Metheny's trio work.

Simply put, this album helped defined jazz piano trio music, and has influenced every pianist, bassist, and drummer since. Chick was at his creative zenith; clearly original, free flowing, and brilliant. He clearly was on a different wavlength with this. Roy Haynes plays much more than drums- he plays music, and Miroslav is perfect. The universe lined up for this, and hasn't been the same since.

Many musicians since have tried to imitate this- few have come close.

What can I say. This album is one of Chick's best. His playing is crisp, Miroslav Vitous' bass is punchy, amd Roy Haynes' drums are cracklin'. The compositions on this album are just beautiful. Recorded in '68 or '69. Blue note sound quality (choice). Lengthy disc, you'll definitely get your money's worth. All players take fantastic solos and have plenty of room to stretch out when they want to. Quite a bit of material not issued on the original LP. Several "free" compositions, but the players are so tasteful that this in no way hinders the continuity of the disc. Not one skippable track. Buy it!

I wish I could go back to see the reaction of the jazz community at the time this album was first released. Corea, like all great musicians, combines past influence with his own unique ideas. Not just new ideas of a technical stylistic approach, but new ideas on the use of music in telling a story. This album showcases the fact that he is his own man. Working mostly as a sideman before the release of this album, I believe this is his second project as a leader. By hooking up with bassist Vitous and drummer Haynes, whose roles are of equal importance to this musical statement, Corea was provided the outlet he needed to express a musical approach that couldn't wait to be released. His imaginative approach on this album displays a uniquely different way in telling a story through the use of a rhythm based trio. The music on this album is highly emotional, intense, joyful, and very interesting. As is the case with accomplished musicians that need to move forward in order to grow, the trio split up quicker than it had come together. Miles scooped up Chick to replace Herbie the same year the album was put out. The Trio got together again years later in 1981 to record Trio Music.

The 2002 version remastered by Ron Masters is the one to get.For one thing, it sounds way crisper, especially the cymbals. For another, you get the original album in the order of its 1st release on vinyl, with the bonus material coming after. Much better! The bonus material is good, some even rivals what went down on the original, but the original material seems more to have come from the same creative genesis and stands alone as a sort of suite. Both editions are on the Blue Note label, so make sure you get the 2001 release, it is killer.

As far as the content goes, this is a desert island recording, one of the finest examples of piano trio recordings ever made, period. A must have for any serious jazz collector.

Chick Corea's highly individualized approach is present here throughout. More importantly, though, is his truly advanced level of musicianship and ability to sing all of his lines with great feeling. I think this is the distinguishing fact of this album. Corea is able to infuse each highly 'mathematical' statement, which has a structural beauty in and of itself, with impassioned lyricism. Miroslav Vitous and Roy Haynes accomplish a great feat by keeping up and empathizing with Corea at the highest level. A definite 5+ stars, bordering on 1 million.

This record makes my top ten, of all time, Jazz records.
I think sometimes people marginalize Chick because
he has been so prolific and has gone off on some
trendy tangents, especially his fusion projects. But
the fact remains that he is one of the towering Jazz
figures of all time. Listen to his genius here and the
immaculate playing of Haynes and Miroslav. To my
recollection this is one of the first albums where the
double bass finally comes out of the shadows. Miroslav's
playing is so articulate and the instrument is recorded
so you can hear it all. When asked, Corea's favorite
drummer, after the myriad of incredible players Chick
has had, Roy Haynes usually tops his list. Enjoy.

There are number of classic trio recordings ever. Some of the first and earliest ones are by the classic Bud Powell trio with Max Roach and whatever bassist he chose. Then there are the random albums like Duke Ellington's Money Jungle Then there are, of course, some of the Bill Evans albums (especially the ones with Scott Lafaro). The ones that come to mind myself are Portrait in Jazz, Everybody Digs, and then Live in Montreaux.

Then there is this album. It takes everything from before and advances it. Chick's playing is some of the best ever and Roy Haynes and Miroslav are phenominal. The only downsides are some of the free jazz stuff that takes a while to get used to.

This a must have for any jazz fan in my opinion.

Thinking of Jazz and not Jazz Fusion which I dont think has the same transcendence in music, this is one of the best. This trio record really pulls you into the music with an intense drive, inventive and creativity not so easy to find in the latter records by Corea. Miroslav Vitous And Roy Haynes are at their best also. This music has the freshness and spontaneity of a young Corea full of new ideas and melodic beauty..