Search - Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour, Chick Corea :: Grp Super Live in Concert

A Must

Maurizio G | 05/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like dave grusin and chick corea and like me prefer more rock orientated jazz you must listen to this. With Vinnie Coluaita drumming for Grusin, and Weckl for Chick you drummers wont be dissapointed either. Includes the best version of Chicks 'Light years' I have heard with Daves kit sounding amazing (electronic tuned toms).'Rumble' is laughably good too!.All the Grusin classics like 'AM attitude' and some with Tom scott are all performed in a rocky/funky way with Ritnour adding to that feel with his trademark sound. Overall another brilliantly entertaining grp performance."

Just what you would expect from GRP

kireviewer | Sunnyvale, Ca United States | 06/02/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"SLIGHTLY DECEPTIVE COVER: CHICK COREA DOES NOT PLAY ON WITH THE ALLSTAR BAND. THE FIRST CD IS THE ALLSTAR BAND, WITHOUT COREA. THE SECOND CD IS COREA'S ELEKTRIC BAND.



This is a 2 CD set of a concert from Japan in 1987. The first CD is the allstar band (minus Chick Corea) and is 49 minutes long. Most of the tracks are 4 to 5 minutes long, except for the last which is 8 minutes. The second CD is Chic Corea's Elektric band, is 59 minutes. The sound quality of this concert is excellent (as you would expect from GRP).



The first three songs are by Diane Schuur. Of the three, I only like Love Dance. I have never appreciated her over the top, affected vocal stylings. It always seemed forced and unnatural to me. She is much better she just sings and lets her normal voice come through, such as on Love Dance. Note that Grusin, Ritenour or Scott do not appear on the Shuur songs.



On the remaining tracks on the first CD, Grusin, Ritenour and Scott take turns leading the band. Note that Scott is not on all of the tracks. The last two Grusin tracks are the best.



I was never a big fan of GRP's style of Sunday Brunch, easy listening jazz. It is a style and sound that is as distinctive as Winham Hill's new age jazz is. To me, it is a white bread style that is dumbed down for the masses. It was certainly popular in the eighties and sold very well. You were certain to hear it as you ate your organic, vegetarian omelet for Sunday brunch at a place with a name like Blue Willow Cafe.



I think that artists like Tom Scott, Billy Cobham and Chic Corea really suffered when they went to GRP. Instead of playing energetic, innovative jazz, they jumped on the Sunday Brunch bandwagon. It isn't bad, and some of it is very enjoyable. It just seems to be all the same and can get boring at times.



The second CD is all Chick Corea's Elektric band. The tracks are longer, with 2 over 10 minutes. For the most part, I think this live performance is much better than the Elektric Band studio albums. The first two tracks are nothing special, and consists of little blasts of solos. Things get more interesting as the CD moves on.



If you like easy jazz or Corea's Elektric Band, then this CD is a serious find."

Unique!

Maurizio G | Rome, Italy | 11/12/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Unique Jazz CD with very good audio quality.
In the first CD play Dave Grusin to the keyboards, Lee Ritenour to the guitar, Tom Scott to the Sax, Vinnie Colaiuta to the drums and Diane Shuur sings in the first 3 song.
The second CD is totally with Chick Corea Elektric Band, with the best band he had ever had (Corea, Weckl, Patitucci, Gambale and Marienthal) exceptional live, the only of the quintet.
My highlight: the drummers!"