Customer Reviews

Stanley Clarke, Larry Carlton, Billy Cobham, Deron Johnson & Najee Live At The Greek

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Live At The Greek" is Stanley Clarke's best music in almost twenty years; however this disc isn't only for Stanley fans. With the incredible drumming of Cobham, Stanley is brought to a level that he hasn't displayed on disc since live 76-77. The ability for these two men to have borderline telepathic interplay is well worth the price of the disc alone. However Carlton, Najee and Johnson all make a generous contribution to the band. There are versions of favorite tunes by all except for Johnson whom I believe didn't have any original material at the time. The highlight has to be the marathon version of "School Days" which features a Clarke/Cobham intro and then it is taken to places the other versions didn't go to.If you are familiar with any of the members of this band buy this disc or if you don't have any Jazz/Fusion discs this is a great place to start. This recording has rock("Minute by Minute") jazz (Miles davis' "All Blues") smooth jazz(Najee's "Buenos Aires") and all out fusion ("Stratus" and "School Days") all performed flawlessly and in an engaging manner. There is something for everyone. Highly Recommended.

I have been a big fan of Stanley Clarke since the '92 PPV broadcast of the Seville, Spain Guitar Legends concert. He only played "School Days", but it was enough to plant the seed of jazz in me. From there I discovered John McLaughlin, Al DiMeola, Stanley Jordan, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Louis Jordan, Brian Lynch and many others. Each new player I found introduced me to a handful more jazz greats, but it was Clarke that introduced me to jazz.

Clarke brings along guitarist Larry Carlton, drummer extraordinaire Billy Cobham, Deron Johnson on keyboards, and the multitalented Najee playing anything he can get his mouth on. Then, the fun begins. The quintet knows exactly what they are doing on stage together. The music they produce is an incredible whirlwind of straight jazz, funk, and great playing.

The twenty-one minute version of "School Days" is a tour-de-force of power. Beginning with a duet between Cobham and Clarke they trade lines of percussion back and forth. As the piece moves, it evolves to include the rest of the band. Everyone takes turns soloing. "School Days" is still a playground for Clarke's funky slap bass playing, and he (as well of the rest of them) will leave you with your jaw on the floor. The group does a stunning cover of Miles Davis' "All Blues". Najee begins on the flute giving over to Johnson's piano before Carlton steps up to solo, and Clarke takes a solo of his own. They are not only players, but writers too as they cover a song written by each member group, (except Johnson).

This is, hands-down, my favorite Clarke album that I own. You can feel the soul and power that permeates the air as these five play. They play off of each other well, and they are really enjoying themselves. With friends like this, who would have an enemy?

Talk about a JAM SESSION!!! Great CD. Just wish I could have seen it live

This album pairs Philly homeboy Stanley Clarke with perhaps the only drummer in jazz fusion who could play with him and not be overpowered: Billy Cobham. Worth the price for the tour de force version of "School Days" alone, it also contains a powerhouse version of Cobham's "Stratus". The version of "School Days" clocks in at over 21 minutes and amazingly contains not a single wasted note.

This is definitely the CD I would take w/ me on a desert island...the lineup is fantastic, each player is a legend in their own right, and the fusion between each of them is definitely noticeable throughout the recording. Clarke is so much better live than in the studio, as you will see by listening to "school days" which is 100x more funky and loud as the 1976 studio verson. 3 of my all time favorite musicians, Clarke, Carlton, and Cobham, and 2 which I've heard for the first time (Najee and Deron Johnson)who were FANTASTIC. I have listened to this album at least 60 times since I bought it about 6 months ago...and i still enjoy it just as much as i did when i bought it. Even though there are only 7 songs...this is by far the BEST REAL FUSION album I've ever purchased. Highly recommended for any jazz or rock fan who appreciates extraordinary musicianship.

I've been drumming for eighteen years, but was introduced to jazz from a friend in 1986- Steps Ahead with Peter Erskine. I've been sorta hooked since. I'm kind of familiar with Cobham and know who he is, as well as Stanley Clarke. I was given this CD by a bass player brother of mine in our praise and worship band at church. The song 'Stratus' blew me away. Cobham starts with a crazy, bizzare, technical, rudimental, freak out thing--then him and Clark start groovin' on a real heavy, straight forward fusion-funk feel that's out of this world. The drum sound through the mix is astounding as well as everyone elses. This musical masterpiece tells me that I must buy more Stanley Clarke stuff--especially with Cobham playing... This would be a great album to listen to on a road trip with a friend who can't stand to listen to jazz. They may change their mind with this one. I think also, this one would be good for beginning musicians to go out of their way to get. Mainstream always hides the best music. But if you know where to look, you will find stuff like this from time to time.

This CD is awesome, because Stanley pulled in some of the top talent in the jazz world of 1994, and they gave a truly inspired performance of some truly classic tunes. Many groups give weak performances live, but this one leveraged their skills off each other in a way that enriched the complete experience. It includes some tunes from Billy Cobham and Stanley Clark, and some riffs and solos by Stanley that I have not heard topped since.

I've tried to play this as background music, but the musicianship and song selection always make me pay attention. I would never have believed that Najee was so wonderful, though I expected pretty much what we get from Stanley Clarke, Billy Cobham, the wonderful Larry Carlton, and Deron Johnson.

I'm a guitar nut but somehow I don't end up wandering off when Larry finishes his solo breaks. I get pulled in by Najee and Johnson's work just as much.

I would consider this well-worth buying if you like jazz or just like to hear instruments played by a tight group of masters. You *probably* can listen to it while doing other things, but I would warn against it.

This is a very solid piece by arguably the best "jazz/fusion/rock" bassist of all time........add funk as well, I am not the biggest jazz fan but was originally drawn to Stanley by his fusion works of the mid to late 70's. He is surrounded here by an allstar lineup, very nice....and guess what? He's playing some old standards that are tried and true, but like any artist each offering is invariably different and to me that is a good thing. He has taken a beating in so many reviews for "not matching his early works". Do NOT forget his career survived the 80's, an era where most musicians "gave in" order to continue on while keeping the record company people happy in a pop culture we look back at with loathing. Stanley like all musicians grew and his sound changed, sometimes we don't like the change but that's life, he's not gonna crank out a "Life Suite" or "Rock'N'Roll Jelly" on every disc. If you don't own his early discs, GET THEM!!!

This is some of the best music I have heard. Cobham and Clarke rock! Everybody played a part in this one. There is not a weak link in this one. The mix is great and loud. The song 'Stratus' will rock your world! This would be a good CD to play on a long road trip for one of your friends who hates jazz! This album will produce within you an appreciation for a lot of years of practice and performance. To you beginning musicians--- Don't quit! Work hard and you can be at this level of playing.