Tribute to Someone: Herbie Hancock

Larry Willis | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 20, 1994)
• Original Release Date: April 21, 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Audioquest
• ASIN: B000003HKL
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #456,825 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tribute to SOMEONE from SOMEONE of Substance..., August 2, 2001

By 

NDBx "NDBx" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tribute to Someone: Herbie Hancock (Audio CD)

It must be something to have your contempories/peers pay you tribute. Herbie Hancock is given a very nice tribute by someone from his own era, Larry Willis whose style bears a resemblance but like Herbie, sees a unique vision even in tribute.

Here Mr. Willis assembles some very good musicians to pay tribute to Herbie.

The arrangements are aoutstanding. David Williams bass playing throughout is outstanding. John Stubblefield is a gem thoroughout this recording. Stubblefield like Willis himself is a musician's musician that really should get much more recognition than he does.

"King Cobra" starts this album out wonderfully, swinging, modern, David William's playing is one of the heroes of this piece. Driving, pulsating resonating. Ben Riley hangs with him on this one. They provide an impressive tandem keeping this tune going. Not that it needs help. Stubblefield provides one of those solo's where there is power, tone and swing without excess. Larry plays the Larry Willis way... unique. Doesn't try to sound like Herbie, brings what the tune needs. The horn section provides a vibrant lyricism to this piece.

There are also some Larry Willis originals on this recording, which is never a bad thing. "Wayman's Way" provides a vehicle for trumpetter Tom Williams to take a fine inventive solo.

"Sensei" is one of those pieces that are a Willis fortê. You could almost hear Miles playing this tune. It has that "Summer Nights" feeling.

"A Tribute to Someone" - the title truck shows off Tom Williams beautiful tone and Willis' arranging skill. Ben Riley's shines, just shines on this. He shows what a good jazz drummer brings to a piece, he embellishes this piece with a fine sensibility. Everyone solo's on this one never to excess.

"Maiden Voyage" as a latin piece. Very interesting... percussive, without out losing that essential lyrical quality that this piece has always had. Nice solo's by Curtis Fuller, John Stubblefield. Outstanding horn emsemble passages.

"For Jean" is another Larry Willis composition, Larry and John Stubblefield showing outstanding tone and sensitivity on soprano. Mr. Willis in perfect symbiosis with Mr. Stubblefield.

Original enough not to be a a tribute, yet it does the honoree proud

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Statement, December 20, 2002

By 

Allan Suchinsky (Kensington, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tribute to Someone: Herbie Hancock (Audio CD)

Though this is meant to be a tribute to Herbie Hancock, this session is, more than anything else, a statement by one of the most underated musicians and composers in contemporary jazz.

Every track is strong here and the group couldn't be tighter. Stubblefield and the Williams shine, while Willis is as tastefull and articulate as ever. One other thing about Willis; he clearly displays his sensitivity and versatility, especially if your only familiarity with him is as one of the hard drivers from the Fort Apache Band.