Well the RTF tour is well over by now - all 54 concerts. It was quite a thrill renewing the RTF experience and refreshingly surprising to see how well remembered the band was to all the audiences we played for. Playing the “old” music was a kick too. Of course it’s a trick to call it old. What about times right now when we hear Mozart’s music, or even the standards of the 30’s and 40’s: “My Funny Valentine”, “Autumn Leaves”, “Night And Day”, etc.? It could make you look at the subject of new versus old in a “new” light. In fact, the songs were used mostly as the usual excuses for improvisations that are usually fun for the musicians.
It was very heartening to me to see such enthusiastic responses for the edgy, instrumental music we played - especially since there was no recording released in all these years - no performances - and no record company support of any kind. The whole experience was just live, with the band and the audience - no need for extra hype. It confirmed for me the truth and importance of the primary and direct communication right from the artists to their audiences. I guess this is a fixture of life: people love to entertain and be entertained. And the simplest, straightest way to have that pleasure is “live”. As an added thought: in jazz, the most real and exciting performances that exist on record are the live recordings - no editing or “fixing up” - just the untouched moment of creation.
Well, it looks like the PR phrase used to promote the tour has become a reality: Return To Forever has returned! And I’m very happy about that.
3 responses so far ↓
1 Carl Hager // Sep 9, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Thank you so much for pulling off this reunion tour, Chick. You and Stanley, Al and Lenny sounded great the night I heard you in L.A. As much as I love all the recordings you guys did together, hearing you play live was fantastic, in every sense of the word. It was Real Magic.
I also want to acknowledge the truth of your statement that “in jazz, the most real and exciting performances that exist on record are the live recordings - no editing or ‘fixing up’ - just the untouched moment of creation”. I know that you have used a lot of first takes on your recordings throughout your career, and like to use un-”fixed” material like what you did with the Origin band. A live recording allows the listener to participate by being there with the musicians at “the moment of creation”. As a fan who doesn’t always get to hear a particular musical personnel grouping live, I want you to know how much I truly appreciate the live recordings you and other jazz artists do. They are by far the best.
2 Sandor // Sep 10, 2008 at 1:41 pm
“Return To Forever has returned! And I’m very happy about that”
I tell You, we were all very very happy this summer. Thanks!
3 Vladimir // Oct 3, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Your creativity is inspiration for musicians, especially for those who loves and plays a jazz. We those also are. We wish all the best.
http://ru.youtube.com/watch?v=E7JzEzDm2Gg
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