As a rock fan first and foremost, I've always had a problem getting into certain types of jazz. What bothers me most is the way some of jazz's best musicians approach their own instruments.
As hard as a friend of mine once tried to turn me on to John Coltrane for example, there was something about those side-long improvisations that always left me kind of cold. Sure the guy could play his ass off. The problem for me was I could never figure out where exactly it was that he was going.
Likewise, I could never get how some of the musician types I knew way back when, drooled all over guys like George Benson and Bob James. Again, where I understood what "fine players" these guys were, albums like Breezin' just sounded like elevator music to me. And don't even get me started on Kenny G...
I guess what I've always wanted to say to musicians like these, is "yes, we get it. we know you can play." What I've always wanted to hear from them on the other hand, is the sound of them actually playing like they mean it.
Which is why when it comes to jazz, I've always gravitated towards the fusion bands like Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report, and for my money, the best of the lot — Return To Forever.
RTF began in the seventies as an improvisational jazz vehicle for keyboard virtuoso (and Miles Davis alum) Chick Corea. The group's early incarnations also featured a revolving lineup that at times included the likes of people like Flora Purim and Airto.
But by the mid-seventies, RTF settled into a fusion sound and a permanent lineup that featured what were arguably the best musicians in the world at their individual instruments. Although this was clearly still Corea's band, guitarist Al DiMeola, bassist Stanley Clarke, and drummer Lenny White were each so good that they often overshadowed the leader.
With that much talent collectively gathered under one roof, it was also inevitable the band would eventually split, which they did not long after they achieved superstar status with the Columbia Records released Romantic Warrior album. Clarke and DiMeola in particular would each go on to enjoy very successful careers as solo artists in their own right.
So when RTF announced their first tour together in 25 years, the news was met with both genuine excitement as well as some healthy skepticism. Could these four virtuosos still peacefully co-exist as a unit after all these years? And if so, would those original creative sparks still fly the same way they once did?
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Article comments
1 - Greg Barbrick
As an old school fan of Romantic Warrior, I have to ask, is this really worth getting? RTF were such a great band, but as you said, they have all moved on. Is the magic still there?
2 - Glen Boyd
The magic is still there Greg. This is a great DVD, and watching the way that Clarke and DiMeola in particular basically just slaughter those instruments will definitely rekindle all those Romantic Warrior memories of yours.
-Glen