Return to Forever Live in New York August 8th, 2008

In my opinion one of the best bands of the fusion era was Return To Forever. Chick Corea, Al DiMeola, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White were together what a lot of people refer to the "Beatles of Jazz". The first album I ever heard from them was Romantic Warrior which to this today is always in heavy rotation for me.

When I saw that VIP tickets were available for the last reunion show in New York I jumped at the chance and have to say that it was THE best show I have ever seen. The band was tight and played like they had grown up together. The VIP passes allowed us to a meet and greet with band members, stay for the sound check, and meet other fans for drinks and snacks.

It is my understanding that a reunion DVD or CD set maybe offered sometime in the near future and the band has plans to go into the studio to record a new album and tour again.

When I asked the publicist whose idea it was to offer a VIP package she responded it was the bands and it was well worth every penny. If you want to see some pix from the show here is the URL:

http://www.me.com/gallery/#100033

August 18, 2008 - 10:56am

Elk

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Last seen: 3 years 1 month ago

Joined: Dec 26 2006 - 6:32am

Re: Return to Forever Live in New York August 8th, 2008

I'll have to pull out my LP of "Romantic Warrior". It's been a while. Fun stuff; quick, clean playing.

August 18, 2008 - 11:17am

Ariel Bitran

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Joined: Jun 1 2007 - 2:14pm

Re: Return to Forever Live in New York August 8th, 2008

I was there too! and I had an amazing time. I had seen RTF a year before with an earlier line-up: Chick, Airto, and Flora (Eddie Gomez was standing in for Stanley Clarke), and it was good, but nowhere near as exciting as this show was.

I didn't ever think I would get to see this line-up. "Where Have I Known You Before" is one of my all-time favorite albums, and I was jumping out of my seat with the version of "Song to the Pharaoh Kings" that night. Aw man. I'm getting exciting just thinking about it. That floating keyboard intro...so beautiful.

Chick, despite his scientology, has an incredibly knack for interesting, pensive, and beautiful harmony.

Of course Al was great. At first when I saw him changing guitars, I thought he was just being a rockstar, but there was a remarkable difference amongst all three. The Les Paul had of course, the rounder, fuller, thicker, and maybe grittier/darker tone. His PRS "rainbow" guitar (the most fruit-tastic thing I've ever seen a musician play) was undoubtedly the best sounding: thick, loud, clean, with smooth movement. The zebra PRS was punchier. These changes could've probably been made with some sort of pedal, but hey, Al's a rockstar.

What could you gather from the band member's personality's at the meet and greet?

I'm jealous.

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