Search - Chick Corea - Rendezvous in New York on DVD

Chick Trips down memory lane

GLENN LEVY | Chicago | 10/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD just arrived today 10/6/2005. I had to watch a good many of the DVDS. It's a true classic Jazz mish mash of Chick's Piano adventures. You won't find any Fusion here really, it's all beautiful soulful Jazz. I have to say at first I was a bit disappointed by the fact that his fusion work had been ommited, from this collection no Return to Forever or some of the more progressive Fusion I have known him for. No keyboard other than sweet piano. After listening and watching a few of these DVD's it all became quite clear to me, the mood of dusky, dim lit bar aura that embraces old style Jazz with class. I came to embrace the pure feeling of clean music with no tricks, I knew what it was all about suddenly. This is a purest collecton of Jazz untainted by the throws of Rock and Roll. Go down down that road with Chick and his friends, its sofisticated clean lines wash over your soul. If you love Jazz, you will love this 10 DVD set, it covers every ERA of chick's long and storied career in JAZZ. Don't get me wrong it does not cover his whole career, but the Jazz portion of it fully. The quality of this DVD is top notch, audio is digital streamed, video is filmed in full HD.
You won't find a finer all around collection of pure Jazz classics done by a better group of musician's."

Does not get better than this

Richard E. Bond | 07/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the best concert DVD that has been produced to this time. Chick is at the top of his game, the musicians are the state of the art in jazz and the production values are first rate. I know this because I have seen all of the perfomances on the BET jazz channel. This is truly a gift."

Three Quartets DVD review...not the whole compilation

Ian Martin | Auckland New Zealand | 08/04/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For anyone who knows Chick Corea's Three Quartet's album, they should be clamouring to get a copy of this DVD into their hands. This treasure shows the Chick 60th birthday celebration concert with Chick, Michael, Steve and Eddie playing the original album live. From the liner notes we are informed that this is the first time that this has been played live in 25 years.

With the tragic passing of Michael Brecker, this is now an historic occasion - the only recent recording of these contemporary giants playing this work together - and oh, how magnificently they play together.

I am so grateful that a decision was made to break up the 10 DVD boxed set as quite honestly I was not interested in all of Chick's concerts - certainly not for $90 (superb value none the less). Which brings us to this special concert recorded in High-definition, DTS sound at NY's Blue Note club. There is but one criticism - it finishes in 54 minutes and you sit there looking at the screen with a deep longing for more. Yet, as a work of art it is a perfect concert that leaves you hungry for more rather than enduring musicians meandering on for another 40 minutes filling up space. I think what we all know is that these masters could have meandered on for another two hours and we would still have been in raptures.

The material for this concert is a straight rendition of Chick's "Three Quartets" CD (reviewed in Amazon 10 times - all 5 stars), but with all new solo improvisation. From Michael's opening solo in Quartet no.1, you hear the entire gamut of stylings that are instantly recognisable - embellishments and harmonics, cascading waterfalls of notes that thunder to a whisper. Riveting, moving stuff!

As Chick states up front, this setup is like a classical chamber quartet playing a work from beginning to end - except this is pure jazz with all the interplay and adjustments to each others offerings. You can see Michael smiling as he navigates the complex score - these musicians were challenged - but they thrive in this. There is a playfulness that only comes with mastery. There is a respect of these men for each other as you see them watching each other solo and applauding with nods and glances.

As you watch this concert for the umpteenth time, you hope and expect that nuances will emerge that you did not see previously, and one is not disappointed. The detailed camera work and preparation ensures that you see Chick's hands clearly at times when he places a deft run, or when Steve swops from brushes to sticks. You notice the reflection of the music score in the glasses of Eddie during his solo that makes Chick smile. The production values are certainly the highest I have in my 30 plus DVD concert collection - sound and visuals are all exemplary.

This is a jazz concert that you will always treasure - watching it is both exciting and emotional. I couldn't give a higher recommendation.

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