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Jack Massarik's rating
, Stars that shine for ever
By
Jack Massarik
22 Jul 2008
Quite a hectic night for Return to Forever, back in London as a unit for the first time in 25 years. Hardly had Sir George Martin presented these four veteran stars with Lifetime statuettes at the BBC Jazz Awards than it was time for them to dash upstream, exchanging a cosy convocation of invited guests at the Mermaid Theatre for a tough young paying audience in Docklands.
The task was easier than these architects of US jazz-rock might have imagined. But then keyboard superstar Chick Corea and bass guitar ace Clarke are ageless wonders of virtuosic technique and seemingly inexhaustible ideas. I have never heard either of them give a disappointing performance. The delights of Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy and Sorceress, with extended solos all round, soon excited a crowd who never knew the original versions.
Resplendent on his raised platform, surrounded by a huge show-kit with five tom-toms and as many cymbals, the bandana-ed Lenny White proved that a funky time-feel is worth a thousand speed-licks. Many drummers can play the rhythm figures he uses, but not with the same irresistible propulsion.
Even Al Di Meola, a temperamental guitarist not given to sharing the limelight, seemed happy. Time must have mellowed him. His fizzing, impassioned style was ahead of its time in the Seventies, and now, with millions more students playing guitar and appreciating the artistry involved, his star is rising again.
Drummer White spoke for all when he said: "I see all these boy bands, and nobody plays an instrument. This a MAN'S band." If you find it odd to give a lifetime award to four men whose careers have followed different paths for most of their lives, this was one of the odder BBC Award years. Pianist Kit Downes (rising star), saxman Tony Kofi (best instrumentalist) and Christine Tobiin (best singer) were deserving winners but Tommy Smith (Heart of Jazz), Curios (best band), The Blessing (best album), were puzzling to say the least. Bassist Charlie Haden won the International Award. Honours also went to producer Alan Bates, the Dankworths and the late Humphrey Lyttelton.
Full winners: Jazz Lineup, BBC Radio 3, 4pm, Saturday.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (2)
I began listening to Return to Forever in early 1979 after I began playing guitar. My next door neighbour gave me a copy of Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy to listen to. I was listening to a lot of Hendrix, Cream and blues guitarists at that time and found this album way complicated and returned it. About 2 years later I was ready to appreciate RTF and by then had heard Romantic Warrior.
When I knew they were in the UK I had to go see them having followed their solo careers and seeing Chick Corea with his electric band.
I drove the 135 miles to the Indigo2 and spent the day visiting some of London on the tube. Weather was great. The band played for two and a half hours with an interval. I guess it’s true that when you have it you never lose it and these guys had it. The playing from all involved was exemplary and made songs that are over 30 years old sound fresh.
I have been to many gigs and seen many amazing musicians. But as a group Return to Forever takes some beating.
I doubt they will ever tour again but I feel proud to have been part of the experience. I bought their new Anthology CD and programme. The CD I will give to my old neighbour, I guess I owe him!
- Trevor Gardner, Dudley, West Midlands, 25/07/2008 16:06
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Well, we drove 150 miles there and back, got home at 3am the following morning - the M4 was closed, lots of police and ambulances en route from Greenwich to the M4, suffered the ridiculous beer prices only found in London and ate some very average food. But was it worth it? Well, we were treated to nearly 2.5 hours of the finest jazz and jazz musicians you will find anywhere in the world. They were superb but then with a combined experience of more than 150 years one would expect little else. Di Meola was outstanding (despite his Arsenal shirt, celebrating his 54th birthday), Stanley Clarke is still an amazing virtuoso, Lenny White was so understated but so powerful and Chick Corea.....well, no words. Amazing. And the best bit was the incredible finale of "The Dual of the Jester and The Tyrant". Do we have to wait another 25 years for them to tour again? Unlikely they will ever tour again. It really was the gig of the year.
- Tony O'Rourke, Bristol, UK, 22/07/2008 21:03
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