ELP - Beyond the Beginning

[LithoJazzoSphere]

While out today, among other things such as Opeth's Ghost Reveries and Herbie Hancock's Possibilities, I grabbed this. I've watch a bit of it so far, and am quite impressed. I've heard a bit of their work on CD, but this is my first exposure to actually seeing Keith, and now I'm really envious. :D I highly recommend this, if nothing else, for the "spinning piano" segment. :D

[Luca_Capozzi]

I'm awaiting for its delivery today.. can't wait to watch Tarkus performed live :)

Luca

[Analogkid]

Ive been blessed to see Keith preform many times, and its always a treat.! :)

[pmarafio]

While out today, among other things such as Opeth's Ghost Reveries and Herbie Hancock's Possibilities...

Stop right there!!! How is Herbie's new disc?

[Luca_Capozzi]

it's arrived.. can't wait to go back at home :)

Luca

[ktriton]

Whoa, ELP has a new DVD OUT!?

[Luca_Capozzi]

yup and IS AWESOME!!!! i'm just at firts 45 minutes and that's great. is a must have like SFNY 2000.

Luca

[LithoJazzoSphere]

Stop right there!!! How is Herbie's new disc?

I've only listened to it once so far, so that may influence my opinion, but right now I only consider it average. It reminds me a lot of Santana's Supernatural and Shaman projects (heck, he's even featured on a track) in that a legend somewhat past his prime brings in a lot of newer, younger, more popular musicians to guest on a "dream team" type album. There are numerous good moments, notably Herbie's piano solos (and unfortunately most of the non-piano work isn't done by him), but overall I wasn't blown away. On a first listen, the writing doesn't even catch me in a pop sense like Santana's latest albums did. It also isn't terribly helpful that it's only 10 medium-length tracks, whereas the Santana albums were substantially longer. Maybe I'll like it more with repeat listens, but right now I'm still hooked on his Headhunters era stuff, and there are only flashes of his former brilliance.

Now Opeth's Ghost Reveries (which I had DLed a few weeks ago) on the other hand, is awesome. It contains most of the elements I've always loved about them, while adding a much more substantial dose of tasteful keyboards via Per Wiberg.

[pmarafio]

LithoJazz:

Picked up Herbie's disc yesterday - I concur with much of your assessment - not very exciting. However, two things of note on my first listens:

1-Christina Aquilera can sing! Her's is perhaps the most unexpected and impressive performance on the disc. Listen to how she interacts with Herbie's playing, she has good ears and she is very musical. Her final verse after Herbie's solo shows her improvising her interpretation of the melody in response to Herbie's voicings and incidental improvs - impressive! She definitely caught me off guard with this performance. Perhaps someone with actual talent can actually slip through the suits at the record companies every now and then.

2-Herbie's playing on the Santana cut (track 2) is great. Nice solo!

There are some great players in the supporting cast like Pattatucci and Dennis Chambers, but they are just doing session work, background support - which fits the session but isn't particularly exciting.

BTW - IMO, one of the all time great Herbie sessions was Thrust. In particular, check out "Actual Proof" - the degree with which Paul Jackson, Mike Clark, and Herbie hook up on that cut gives me goosebumps! I'm a huge Herbie fan and I think this may be his absolute best work ever. The three of them show tremendous sensisitivity and listening skills. Herbie's solo rides over a groove that is lethal - and he just soars over it unlike anything I've ever heard him do. Check it out!!


I have to check out the Opeth disc. I listened to a few samples on iTunes. The music sounded excellent but I'm not much of a fan of that style of singing.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

The music sounded excellent but I'm not much of a fan of that style of singing.

Nor am I, for that matter, but there is a great deal of material without that vocal style on Ghost Reveries. Three tracks have no growling at all, and almost all the others have a substantial dose of melodic vocals as well.

[pmarafio]

Ah - thanks for the tip....I'll definitely pick it up!!