Schizophrenia [Import, Limited Edition, Original recording remastered]

Wayne Shorter | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 5, 2004)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Limited Edition, Original recording remastered
• Label: Blue Note Japan
• ASIN: B0000TCM9S
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #927,114 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Tom Thumb

2. Go

3. Schizophrenia

4. Kryptonite

5. Miyako

6. Playground

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wayne Shorter: once again worth your attention!, January 29, 2005

By 

J. Lund "jazzbrat" (SoCal, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Schizophrenia (Audio CD)

The last of (I think) eight Blue Note Shorter albums covering the 1964-67 era, and also the final purely acoustic set, not that it matters to me. Shorter uses altoist/flautist James Spaulding, trombonist Curtis Fuller, and familiar rhythm section mates Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Joe Chambers. The tunes yet again show forward movement, and though they probably aren't among the first tunes one associates with Wayne, they are effective vehicles for Shorter and his sidemen. The title cut lives up to its name while conversely allowing the group to build solid solos that defy the song's title. "Tom Thumb" is one of Shorter's all-time funkiest efforts (of course, he avoids the cliched blues phrases associated with much funk-jazz), and "Miyako" is the latest in a string of memorable Shorter ballads. As a whole, the album is arguably not an essential pick for fans of this era in jazz (and note that some other reviewers feel differently). Yet is still an important addition to Shorter's recorded works, with highlights that compare favorably to his all-time best efforts.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quality advanced jazz, February 7, 2003

By 

Micah Newman (Dallas, TX United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Schizophrenia (Audio CD)

Shorter assembled an interesting sextet lineup for this 1967 outing; three horns: himself, James Spaulding on alto, who also joined him for _The Soothsayer_, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Herbie Hancock and Ron Carter contributing their usual chordal and harmonic brilliance on piano and bass, respectively, and Joe Chambers on drums. I don't know that there's ever been a sextet lined up with two saxes and a trombone, and the result is intriguing. Fuller's presence is not that noticeable, actually, except insofar as that lower register gets filled out. He mostly seems content to play his end of the harmonies that Shorter arranges. Spaulding, unfortunately, I find has a rather reedy, nasally tone, which is sometimes annoying, particularly on the opening "Tom Thumb", where he is featured. Otherwise, it's a pretty catchy tune, in the "Adam's Apple" vein. Spaulding's flute playing, however, on "Go" and "Kryptonite", is incredible. It bends and spirals around the rhythmic figures and seems to fit in perfectly with Shorter's overall program. Somewhat ironically, I suppose, my favorite song on this album is not a Shorter composition at all, but Spaulding's own "Kryptonite". A riveting moment in that tune is a largely low-register Shorter solo over a one-note bass ostinato, while Chambers impresses with some driving, flawlessly subdivided cymbal work. Ahhh, yes... my foot is tapping like crazy at this point. Chambers is also terrific on the blistering title song. Chambers is great all over this album, in fact. This isn't the first Wayne Shorter record I'd point someone to to start with, but don't miss out on it if you like the rest.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shorter scores again, March 31, 2000

By 

Tyler Smith (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Schizophrenia (Audio CD)

"Schizophrenia" is another fine entry to the Shorter Blue Note discography. He continues to show off the hard-edged tone and driving attack that made him one of the best saxophonists of the '60s, but he also displays his fine touch for balladry.

Shorter's aggressive side is exemplified on the title cut and on "Tom Thumb," which hits a fat, swaggering tone. On "Kryptonite," Shorter's powerful sound is tempered by the flute of James Spaulding, who as usual makes stellar contributions to the proceedings.

The ballads of "Schizophrenia," however, take the release up a notch. Particularly affecting is "Miyako," a composition that shows off Shorter's melodicism and his ability to write affecting charts that utilize the talents of all the members of the band. "Go" makes effective use of a keening tenor line that Shorter then joins to the full-blown sounds of Spaulding's alto and Curtis Fuller's trombone.

The drumming of Joe Chambers also strengthens the album considerably. He turns up the power on "Schizophrenia" and "Playground," but lowers the heat to a tasteful simmer on the two ballads. Listen also to the way he weds cymbal work with shifting rhythms on "Kryptonite." There were (and are) few better drummers than Chambers, who, like Spaulding, has been underrecorded throughout his career.

Herbie Hancock and Shorter had played together for several years with Miles Davis at the time of this release (1967) and their rapport is evident throughout.

Every Blue Note release of Shorter's is worth owning, not only for the quality of Shorter's playing, but for the richness of his compositions and the diversity of the bands he assembled. "Schizophrenia" delivers the musical goods in satisfying fashion.