Post by chromeaddict on May 5, 2007 10:28:13 GMT 10
I know Mark has touched on this gig in another thread, but what was the general feeling on the Herbie Gig?
I've got to say I was really disappointed. Luckily I've seen Herbie before in a much better context, so I can still draw upon that experience, but this gig almost sounded like a bad jam session with good players (yes, I know this sounds like a contradiction, but i believe it's possible). For me the beauty of Herbie is in his sensitivity and touch, none of which got a decent airing at the Melbourne performance. Just when I thought we were going to get an extended solo piano introduction, any mood that was created was obliterated by deafening backbeat drums. I almost felt (and other people have offered this suggestion to me) that he purposely dumbed down the gig for the Australian audience. He even made a statement after playing Sonrisa (one of his most beautiful and stirring pieces to my ear) like "ok, enough of the surreal sounds, lets get to the hard stuff". Now, there is no way he could have successfully performed a concert of that "surreal" music with the band he had. An attempt at a swing feel by the band when Chick Corea sat in was dismal. I feel that the gig he presented with the band he brought out was probably the best he could do, I'm just not sure about the choice of band and the reasons for it. I still think Herbie is a master - his melodic and harmonic innovation is an inspiration to listen to. I just wish I'd been able to hear it in a more creative environment this time.
I've got to say I was really disappointed. Luckily I've seen Herbie before in a much better context, so I can still draw upon that experience, but this gig almost sounded like a bad jam session with good players (yes, I know this sounds like a contradiction, but i believe it's possible). For me the beauty of Herbie is in his sensitivity and touch, none of which got a decent airing at the Melbourne performance. Just when I thought we were going to get an extended solo piano introduction, any mood that was created was obliterated by deafening backbeat drums. I almost felt (and other people have offered this suggestion to me) that he purposely dumbed down the gig for the Australian audience. He even made a statement after playing Sonrisa (one of his most beautiful and stirring pieces to my ear) like "ok, enough of the surreal sounds, lets get to the hard stuff". Now, there is no way he could have successfully performed a concert of that "surreal" music with the band he had. An attempt at a swing feel by the band when Chick Corea sat in was dismal. I feel that the gig he presented with the band he brought out was probably the best he could do, I'm just not sure about the choice of band and the reasons for it. I still think Herbie is a master - his melodic and harmonic innovation is an inspiration to listen to. I just wish I'd been able to hear it in a more creative environment this time.
