Knowbuddy
Member
Last night, around 7:30, I anxiously approached the old and worn venue in Atlanta, GA that has been the stage for a countless amount of the world's best musicians, The Variety Playhouse. I was busy scrambling around in my head trying to prepare myself for what was coming, and I had no idea what to expect.
I wait in line for a few minutes and purchase my ticket (awesome! not sold out!). I find a seat by myself over to stage left behind a small 4 piece drum set and wait, on the edge of my seat.
Finally the lights dim and here they come, none other than Chick Corea, John McLaughlin and the one and only, Brian Blade (along with probably the best bass (Christian McBride) and sax (Kenny Garrett) players I have ever seen.
They waved, and immediately launched into the most complex, perfectly played, unbelievably talent-filled, high-energy, fun, happy, humble, and at the same time seemingly effortless show I have ever (and maybe will ever) seen.
These are (some of) the masters I was watching.
For the first time ever, I didn't clap for a soloist after his solo, I clapped for the BAND after his solo (soloist included, of course). These 5 men were astonishing. The way that these songs were put together was like nothing I had ever heard before (thanks, Chick...).
Have some of you ever sat down and watched something like this, and immediately just wanted to leave and go home and practice till your arms fall off? Well, multiply that by about 10 and you'll approach how I was feeling while watching Brian Blade. If you haven't seen or heard much from him, go search. For the first time I FULLY understand what it means to have a perfect touch. This is definitely one of my new favorite drummers. I knew he was good, and I've seen some videos, but nothing could have really prepared me for seeing him live. He was perfect.
I'm sure some of you Jazz aficionados have seen something like this before, but at one point these guys began a rotating solo somewhere around 200bpm. Chick would solo and the SECOND he would stop, John McLaughlin would start, then Christian, then Kenny, all the while Brian Blade was in the background absolutely KILLING it and NEVER stepping on any of their toes. They "passed" this solo around for a few minutes and it was definitely one of the coolest things I've ever seen PERFECTLY executed.
Sorry to ramble, but I went to this show alone and the whole ride back I just wanted to ask someone DID YOU SEE THAT? DID YOU SEE WHAT THOSE GUYS JUST DID?
Unfortunately, I couldn't, so I wanted to at least past this on to some of you guys who, like me, appreciate perfected musicianship.
I think they're wrapping their tour up, but if they are still coming to your city, DROP EVERYTHING AND GO.
GO.
SEE.
THIS.
SHOW.
You won't regret it.
I just want to thank the 5 guys who helped (as much as anyone ever has) influence me to buckle down and become the best musician I can.
Wow, I am still in awe.
~B
I wait in line for a few minutes and purchase my ticket (awesome! not sold out!). I find a seat by myself over to stage left behind a small 4 piece drum set and wait, on the edge of my seat.
Finally the lights dim and here they come, none other than Chick Corea, John McLaughlin and the one and only, Brian Blade (along with probably the best bass (Christian McBride) and sax (Kenny Garrett) players I have ever seen.
They waved, and immediately launched into the most complex, perfectly played, unbelievably talent-filled, high-energy, fun, happy, humble, and at the same time seemingly effortless show I have ever (and maybe will ever) seen.
These are (some of) the masters I was watching.
For the first time ever, I didn't clap for a soloist after his solo, I clapped for the BAND after his solo (soloist included, of course). These 5 men were astonishing. The way that these songs were put together was like nothing I had ever heard before (thanks, Chick...).
Have some of you ever sat down and watched something like this, and immediately just wanted to leave and go home and practice till your arms fall off? Well, multiply that by about 10 and you'll approach how I was feeling while watching Brian Blade. If you haven't seen or heard much from him, go search. For the first time I FULLY understand what it means to have a perfect touch. This is definitely one of my new favorite drummers. I knew he was good, and I've seen some videos, but nothing could have really prepared me for seeing him live. He was perfect.
I'm sure some of you Jazz aficionados have seen something like this before, but at one point these guys began a rotating solo somewhere around 200bpm. Chick would solo and the SECOND he would stop, John McLaughlin would start, then Christian, then Kenny, all the while Brian Blade was in the background absolutely KILLING it and NEVER stepping on any of their toes. They "passed" this solo around for a few minutes and it was definitely one of the coolest things I've ever seen PERFECTLY executed.
Sorry to ramble, but I went to this show alone and the whole ride back I just wanted to ask someone DID YOU SEE THAT? DID YOU SEE WHAT THOSE GUYS JUST DID?
Unfortunately, I couldn't, so I wanted to at least past this on to some of you guys who, like me, appreciate perfected musicianship.
I think they're wrapping their tour up, but if they are still coming to your city, DROP EVERYTHING AND GO.
GO.
SEE.
THIS.
SHOW.
You won't regret it.
I just want to thank the 5 guys who helped (as much as anyone ever has) influence me to buckle down and become the best musician I can.
Wow, I am still in awe.
~B
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