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Return To Forever // The Mothership Returns, 2012 Eagle Records
This is a 2-CD plus bonus DVD of live 2011 shows in NY. For anyone that is even a slight RTF fan, this set is a must. Chick, Stanley, & Lenny are joined by Frank Gambale on guitar and also Jean Luc-Ponty for a few tracks. Just arrived in the mail yesterday, so I’m skipping the random carousel today and listening to the discs straight through.
Of course, the musicianship is incredible. Gambale plays the DiMeola role as well, if not better, than Al. Lenny Frickin’ White is still so in the pocket and precise, tasty, cool, and punchy. ASPIRING DRUMMERS: LISTEN UP!
A beautiful thing about this is that the standards like “Sorceress”, “Senor Mouse”, “Romantic Warrior”, etc are given some delicious alternative treatments, so that it’s not just playing back a clone of the original but actually allowed to rock out and stretch into new territory. Still, it never loses any of the polished, “totally in control while being on the verge of going out of control” vibe that I think RTF and some other Chick Corea projects inherently contain. It may brush up against the edge and get close to going over, but it stays thoroughly listenable and literal. Anyway, this performance sends me back to a time when skill, expression, tone, timbre, pitch, syncopation, & rhythm really meant something. Not to mention creative composition (so I did). Also a time when a 20 minute piece of music would never lose your attention, partly because it gives you little time to imagine what’s to come. Instead, it always leads you on a very well executed tour.
The liner notes contain some enlightening quotes from each of the players and I liked this one by LW:
“Just the mere fact that we are still able to have an enduring and loyal fan base is a testament to the rule ‘continue to impress, and you’ll have success.’ RTF has created a legacy that draws a combination of old and new fans to our shows. The old fans come to remember, and they bring their friends and families to show us off, as a validation of their good taste in music. The new fans are curious to see what the fuss is all about. To be a part of anything for over 40 years is an accomplishment. Aside from all the other things we do, RTF represents true friendship and exploration.” – Lenny White
And a cool prologue from an unexpected source:
“I remember seeing Return to Forever in L.A. at the Universal Amphitheater back in 1983. The crazy thing is, I ran into some hardcore fans there that I’d see at the Heavy Metal/Hard Rock shows (Rush, Ozzy, Van Halen, Black Sabbath, etc). RTF was that musical bridge.
To define the magnitude of where RTF’s music would register on the seismic level is unreadable. Earth shattering & groundbreaking equates to the sonic dynamic range of their unique style & sound (Funk & Scary Riffs!). RTF takes you on a journey. With the Romantic Warrior LP, I never listened to just one or two tracks, I had to go for it, top to bottom. If you didn’t, you would most definitely be missing out on a moment, a musical statement. Each member can throw some next-level Bruce Lee moves on you! Acoustic or Electric. True Masters!
Straight out, Return to Forever was, and still is ROCKING!
And RELEVANT!
Cheers.”
- Robert Trujillo (Metallica, bass guitarist)
Now, off to the OCP4WXIV
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