Herbie Hancock Album - Evening With Herbie Hancock & Chick Corea

It's unlikely that two major musicians could have more in common than Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock. Born a year apart, they both got their starts on Blue Note sessions in the early 1960s, worked extensively with Miles Davis (albeit in very different periods), and were among the architects and biggest successes of fusion in the 1970s. Equally distinguished as pianists and composers, they share many of the same influences, both in classical music (Ravel, Debussy, Bartók) and jazz (Davis, John Coltrane, and Bill Evans), and in the late 1970s, both were dividing their time between electric and acoustic projects.

This 1978 duet concert testifies to a remarkable empathy, along with the polish that each brings to any venture. Their two grand pianos seldom collide as they dovetail and overlay runs, rhythms, and chords, clearly enjoying the challenge and creating tremendous energy in the process. "Someday" inevitably invokes Miles, while the chromatic fantasia on Gershwin's "Liza," complete with stride, suggests populist roots in Rhapsody in Blue. "Button Up," an extended improvisation, is a highlight, including rhythmic dialogue between hand-muted strings, while "February Moment" is a relatively rare Hancock foray into solo piano. The most remarkable playing, though, is saved for the end: segued performances of hits--Hancock's "Maiden Voyage" and Corea's "La Fiesta"--that run to 35 minutes of sustained keyboard invention. --Stuart Broomer

Customer review - 2004-12-27

- Great Stuff

Not much more to add after the other reviewers, just wanted to emphasize how great this album is. This is truly a must have for anyone who loves jazz piano. Track 3, "Button Up," on the first disc is simply amazing, with some of the most beautiful exchanges on the recording. (Anyone else notice the person in the audience yelling out "Christmas!" at 13:33 on that track? I can't figure it out...) Also, I would like to add, that anyone who is really intrigued and awed by Herbie's touch on the keys should check him out on a recording of Maurice Ravel's Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in G (especially the 2nd movement). All in all, with these guys playing together, you cannot possibly go wrong!

Customer review - 2000-11-30

- Wow, I am speechless.

This is simply amazing. Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock are two of my favorite pianists. They are both technically amazing, and compose pieces that certainly will not be forgotten by future generations. To hear them play together, live, is truly a treat. If you are a music lover you will love this. You should know there is another Chick Corea/Herbie Hancock live duet available. It is only one CD and the sound quality is a little lower, but the solo track by Chick Corea is one of his best. On this CD La Fiesta is excelent and Herbie's solo track, which is uncommon for him, is a treasure. If you love modern jazz, or either of these artists it is a must have.

Customer review - 2001-05-11

- Absolutely outstanding

I'm generally not a fan of solo piano (or even piano duets!) but this album is fantastic. The passion and creativity of the playing makes one of those rare discs that one can listen to over and over and over again without it losing any of its freshness. Particularly breathtaking is "La Fiesta" on the 2nd disc, performed by Herbie Hancock, with its allusions to the Spanish Civil War song "Venga Jaleo." The melodic themes of that song received previous prodigious treatment by John Coltrane on "Ole," another disc I recommend as a must-have.

This disc will also appeal to your friends who say they "don't like jazz" and is a good one to play when they come over.

Customer review - 2001-02-25

- Incredible

this corea/hancock work is sick, and i mean that in the best possible way. i bought this in 1990 and, more than a decade later, have to conclude that it will never cease to bring me enjoyment. it's so incredible that i can't listen to it too often--this album is like a special occasion. their interaction feels seamless, like one mind possessing four hands. like the best jazz, each piece morphs into newer and more offbeat "songs" until, by the end, you're a long way from where you began. i've used this album to introduce at least a dozen people to corea, hancock, and jazz.

Customer review - 2008-08-02

- I'm a Jazz pianist too, but............

I have been playing Jazz, rock, and blues piano professionally off and on for 30 years. Concerts, studio work, bands, etc. I've been told I'm pretty good at it, and have had standing ovations for some of my piano solos. If this sounds like I'm tooting my egotistical horn, keep reading. I'm not. I've been humbled into a little pile of 64th notes.

This recording has literally brought tears to my eyes many times; some combination of Joy, envy, humility, and ecstasy. I don't have even close to half the talent and inspiration these two guys have. Whenever I start to think I might be a good player, I put this on and have a listen and am devastatingly humbled. The first time I heard it, I wanted to stop playing altogether for a while to sort things out in my head.

There are many pianists who are technically excellent, but couldn't improvise their way out of a mud puddle. And there's a lot of players who have much better ideas than they are technically able to play. But Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock (esp Chick, IMHO), in the Olympic gymnastics of piano playing, score a perfect 10 for everything. Technique, inspiration, beauty, and poetry.

How can you NOT give this 5 stars? This is one of those special releases that deserve 6.

One final word: To those of you who still think Jarret is the master of Jazz improvisation, you better have a listen to this. IMHO they play circles around him, Koln concert not withstanding. Sorry Keith. I love you too, but.

List of Herbie Hancock albums

Herbie Hancock Album - Evening With Herbie Hancock & Chick Corea