Return to Forever - 8/4

[Rick and Roll]

I have Tull tomorrow night, trying to make it quick...

Return to Forever played last night at Merriweather Post Pavillion, an ampitheatre where I've seen a lot of acts. I still remember the show 25 years ago quite well, and last night was everything I'd hoped it would be.

They opened with Hymn to the Seventh Galaxy (not an Al D tune but a great opener)...

Vulcan Worlds was next, and was outstanding. Gave Stanley an avenue to show off (he still has the biggest hands I've ever seen). They really changed the tempo wonderfully, slowing it down at times for extended jamming while keeping the integrity of the song.

After that was one of the greatest songs of all time, Song to the Pharoah Kings. Gave Al a chance to stretch out - have seen Al a lot live, and only recently has he returned to blazing riffs...he was doing a lot of ethereal music live in the 80's and 90's. Chick, by virtue of age I'm sure, was content most of the evening to provide the base for the rest of the band to go off. Chick can still astound though - I was about halfway back in the pavillion but was able to see Chick well. He is on top of everything and is the best.

Romantic Warrior was just incredible. Stanley can play a stand up bass in a fashion like I've never seen. No Mystery was supposed to be in the set but I think they extended some jams in other songs and left it out, leaving Romantic Warrior as the lone acoustic piece.

Duel of the Jester and the Tyrant was the closer and was the highlight of the night. Al introduced it as his favorite RTF song. He and Stanley had a lot of fun trading licks.

Sorceress closed the show, and that is another of my favorites. Such a well-written song. To me, it showcases what an incomparable player Lenny White is. He's always on time, always amazing yet you forget he's there, with the other three so good. But he's worth admission alone.

Speaking of Lenny, Chick told how Lenny called up Larry Coryell and got him to reform Eleventh House for this show only. They opened up the show with an hour of incredible fusion. It was Alphonse Mouzon on drums and Victor Bailey on bass (what a pair of musicians!). Larry's son Julian on second guitar and Wallace Roney on trumpet.

They played this song () Girl (I forgot the first word) - when they showed a closeup on the side screens of Wallace Roney's sheet music intesd of "Largo" or "Moderately" or something like that it daid "Eminently Funky"

Speaking of funky, the closer was "Funky Waltz" with Alphonse tapping the left stick on the snare rim the whole time cool effect (maybe he's a "stickist" too...nice use of the term Jim in your review of the show you saw the other night)...his drum solo was wonderful.

The other highlight was an "Asian Bolero" where Larry played this black acoustic guitar to perfection.

A big surprise to have them open.....

[OverHillandDale(Admin)]

Here's a sample pic from the Atlanta Gig. Sorry it's so big, hadn't had time to edit yet.

More later when I have time.

[Rick and Roll]

Originally Posted by OverHillandDale

Here's a sample pic from the Atlanta Gig. Sorry it's so big, hadn't had time to edit yet.

More later when I have time.

Looking forward to it!

[Mike413]

I just got back from seeing RTF earlier tonight. It was a really great show to say the least. Bela Fleck was pretty good too. I probably would have enjoyed both more if I was more familiar with both bands. That said RTF really smoked at times. Some parts were very jazzy and often showcased each members individual talents. The drummer, Lenny White, was probably the most restrained out of the bunch not going for the kill in a way other drummers would but that's a nice change actually since sometimes overplaying can just make things too crazy. That said he is still definitely a capable drummer just different than say Billy Cobham.

Actually, I'm going to see Jethro Tull on Friday. That should be a good show too. I wonder if I will run into any prog fans there.