Source Audio Blog

Return to Forever Live!!!!!!

Monday, August 18, 2008

Posted in: Artist / Heroes Music Reviews

This is another report by the elusive, intrepid and fearless CEO of Source Audio, Roger Smith.

Return to Forever – Bank of America Pavilion – August 6th, 2008
 

This is the best show I have seen this year, and perhaps the best of the past two years……I see so much live music that it is hard to keep track -  but this was really special.  RTF was a certified super-group during a time when progressive jazz/fusion had a big following.  Featuring Chick Corea on keys and synths, Stanley Clarke on Bass, Al DiMeola on guitar, and Lenny White on drums, these guys we not only phenomenal on paper, but released 4 albums, 3 of which are epic.  A simple visit to Wikipedia is a reminder that Chick and company are the real deal.
 

RTF recently toured for the first time in 25 years.  Each member has gone on to significant fame as a solo artist - yet the questione remained - could they get back together and do something worthwhile?

 

Back in April, I purchased 2 VIP packages for an amount that is almost obscene.  Daniela is my local friend with the greatest ability to grasp this special music, so she got the invite.  We arrived for the backstage tour and party at 3:30 in a driving rain.  Our group was then led to the stage where we saw each rig up close and got a full description from all four techs.  Al’s rig was the most interesting.  He has a smaller Fuchs amp in front, with a larger Mesa amp right in back.  The Mesa amp actually drives sound into the Fuchs cabinet to provide natural acoustic compression.  It was a very interesting concept and it sounded great. What a treat to see the live rigs of these stellar players up close!
 

As the tour guide pushed the group along, we introduced ourselves to both Al’s and Chick’s techs (who have been with them for years).  Needless to say, we were asked to stay on stage and tell both of them all about Hot Hand and Soundblox.  It went very well and we could be working with each of them in the future.
 

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones took the stage first and delivered a great set.  Bela has used Hot Hand from time to time with the banjo, and Victor Wooten is currently testing out a prototype of our Multiwave Bass Distortion.  These guys are top musicians, but are also very engaging and entertaining.  Bela closed the set by announcing that if not for RTF, there would be no place for a band like his.  I am not sure I agree, but it was a very respectful comment!
 

RTF launched right into "Vulcan Worlds" and it was clear from the beginning that the band was right on their game.  We had front row center seats and luckily had a great sound mix.  We were then treated to the one of Chick’s most intense compositions, "Song of the Pharaoh Kings", which they nailed.  We then went into material from Romantic Warrior, No Mystery, and then back to Romantic Warrior for the finale.  I was reminded what amazing music these guys play and how it is unlike anything that came before or since.  Each band member took turns addressing the crowd, and we learned from Chick that Al was recruited by the band when he was studying at Berklee at just 19 years of age.  There are no gratuitous solos or special tributes to the solo careers of any member.  The material was not note for note off the albums, but was thoughtful and creatively interpreted.  In short, this reunion tour was the perfect reincarnation experience of one of the best bands I have ever cared to comprehend. They have got to release a live CD (or especially a DVD) of this tour.The tour is now over, but I hear they will take the show to Europe in 2009.  RTF at the Milkweg would be awesome!  Until next time!

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