Chick Corea on ECM

[freeform83]

This period of Chick's work strikes me as being

1) his most consistent since the mid-to-late 60s,

2) easily his most underrated,

3) something of an artistic comback, or, in the alternative,

4) an oasis of acoustic creativity between Return to Forever and the Elektrik Band.

These are the relevant albums:

Chick Corea and Gary Burton in Concert (Zurich, October 28, 1979) -- don't have this one, or the earlier ECM with Burton for that matter

Trio Music (81) -- my favorite Chick Corea record, a return to free improv but with a new sense of maturity and greater restraint than Circle (completely disagree with the AMG review that this "was no longer as natural to Corea"), and a lot of Stravinsky influence; the Monk covers are nice but less intriguing than the main part of the album

Lyric Suite for Sextet (82) -- don't have this either, not a big Burton fan

Children's Songs (83) -- somewhat less impressive, with moments of great Impressionistic beauty but also a lingering sense of sameness and a feeling that Corea could sit down and play as many albums like this as he wanted

Septet (84) -- this is exactly what you would expect from a scored "classical" album by Chick Corea, with frenetic playing by the Septet and what sounds like a heavy dose of Stravinsky and Bartok; "The Temple of Isfahan" is actually my favorite piece, but I would take any of this over the Elektrik Band

Trio Music: Live in Europe (84) -- looking forward to hearing this but doubt it will be the equal of the 81 album

Voyage (85) -- a near-masterpiece of piano-flute duets with Steve Kujala that captures Chick both at his most lyrical and his most defiantly modern; Kujala's tone is almost unbearably beautiful at times and makes me want to play the flute

Edited July 2, 2007 by freeform83

[BFrank]

One of the great (and original) acoustic jazz albums of the early 70's.

[Guy Berger]

One of the great (and original) acoustic jazz albums of the early 70's.

Great album, but recorded well before 1979.

Guy

[freeform83]

Return to Forever has been discussed so much that I wanted to bring some focus to his second (and more productive) period on ECM: the early 80s.

[BFrank]

Sorry...........didn't notice the dates.

[freeform83]

That's OK... I guess no one is really with me on these albums.

[7/4]

I do like the Trio albums, I liked them enough to buy them in CD a few months ago. I need to listen to them again.

[porcy62]

Interesting thread, until Chewy will shut it down.

[Daniel A]

Septet is interesting, but to me it feels a bit as if the compositions lack somewhat in structure. I still enjoy them, though.

[7/4]

Septet never did too much for me. I'll give it another try soon.

[RDK]

Agree on the trio dates - great stuff! The duet with Burton is very good as well. I used to like Voyage much more than I do now though.

[7/4]

Trio Music (81) -- my favorite Chick Corea record, a return to free improv but with a new sense of maturity and greater restraint than Circle (completely disagree with the AMG review that this "was no longer as natural to Corea"), and a lot of Stravinsky influence; the Monk covers are nice but less intriguing than the main part of the album

Septet (84) -- this is exactly what you would expect from a scored "classical" album by Chick Corea, with frenetic playing by the Septet and what sounds like a heavy dose of Stravinsky and Bartok; "The Temple of Isfahan" is actually my favorite piece, but I would take any of this over the Elektrik Band

Why Stravinsky?

[freeform83]

A lot of the Trio improvizations, and maybe the second and third in particular, suggest Stravinsky to my ears. Admittedly, I am not particularly versed in classical music, but Rite of Spring is one of my favorite pieces, and I have others in my collection as well.

I am interested to know if others feel the same way.

[7/4]

So every time Corea plays the piano percussively, it sounds like the Rite of Spring?

pound, pound, pound... ah! natives!

[Hot Ptah]

I enjoy the live album with Burton a lot. I have always thought that Burton was good for Corea. "Crystal Silence" is still my favorite of their collaborations, but all of them are quite good.

I am not particularly fond of "Trio Music". It received a very enthusiastic review from Terry Teachout when it was first released, which motivated me to go buy it at that time. I have always found it a little bit cold, a little unswinging. I can appreciate it more than I enjoy it.

But that's just me--if you love it, I can see why. It is without a doubt a quality work.

[freeform83]

So every time Corea plays the piano percussively, it sounds like the Rite of Spring?

pound, pound, pound... ah! natives!

Well, yes. But clearly I lack your musical sophistication. I bow to your superior intelligence.

[7/4]

So every time Corea plays the piano percussively, it sounds like the Rite of Spring?

pound, pound, pound... ah! natives!

Well, yes. But clearly I lack your musical sophistication. I bow to your superior intelligence.

It's about time. More people should do that.

[7/4]

Listened to Septet. It's the first time I liked it. Maybe I'll listen to again soon.