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           Chick Corea Elektric Band / Live

      Parco Villa Solaria - Sesto Fiorentino

                      (Fi) - 07/01/2003

Check out the Photo Gallery about the Gig

A very special night tonight. It was the 1st European night of the Chick Corea Elektric Band reunion tour. The line up was fully completed as the original, with the exception of John Patitucci, with his pupil, bass player Mike Pope that filled in for him. The gig took us a lot of emotions since from the start. Rumble was the first song to come out, played with such a great finesse and particular strenght, with Mr. Weckl really in his boots. The band started to play with a little emotion not showing what they really can do. Next was Home Universe and Eternal Child from the Eye of The Beholder cd, that were both beatifully played giving us a great and deep emotion, considering the fact that these were played only during the EOTB tour, a long time ago. At this time came C.T.A., from the CCEB 2 Paint The World CD, with Weckl's drum tech changing the left crash Cymbal with a Ride cymbal in order to suit this different musical style. Let me say that this was not successfully accomplished because Weckl appeared a little out of the mood and not able (!!) to re create the phrasing of Gary Novak that originally played on this track. This track was perfectly suited for Novak's playing and, considering the fact that is Dave Weckl that is playing it with some problems, I confirm what I always really thought: Gary Novak is one of the greatest drummers of our times. Same thing for Blue Miles, played in the 2nd half of the gig that started with the band continuing to play different tracks from their 1st cd and the EOTB, gaining confidence and relax tracks after tracks until they played an incredible rendition of Got A Match, that was played in an incredible way with an awesome Weckl playing this tracks with unbelievable finesse and power. The gig ended with Light Years, again with an impressive Weckl, and with the whole band finally at the top of their shape. A final note: Weckl seemed really nervous from the first note and a little maniac, driving crazy his tech in changing his crash cymbal almost on every song. I really think this is too much. It also seemed to me that his new style not easily adapted to the old music, but the greatness of Mr. Weckl set the things straight and made the whole thing works. Also, his percussion set was absolutely out of the mood and never fitted the music; infact, it never found an appropriate space and was rarely used.

The new bass player Mike Pope, was also really tight and nervous, but he has done a great job, considering that Dave never looked at him, not

giving him a big help.

On a final note, the gig was great but the band seemed a little nervous not showing their full potential (except for the two final songs). But we need to consider that this the 1st european gig and the 3rd of this tour, after a lot of years, and with a new element in the band.

They will do a lot of gigs in these days and I'm going to see them here in Rome on July 18th. I'm sure that they will be in the greatest shape we can imagine.

I can't wait for the gig.

Anyway, thanks Chick, Dave, Frank and Eric for

the great emotions.                                                                           Robertopeland

Copyright © 2001-2005 Robertopeland. All rights reserved.
Best viewed in IE5+ 800x600 32bit colors.


		Chick Corea Elektric Band / Live Parco Villa Solaria - Sesto Fiorentino (Fi) - 07/01/2003 Check out the Photo Gallery about the Gig A very special night tonight. It was the 1st European night of the Chick Corea Elektric Band reunion tour. The line up was fully completed as the original, with the exception of John Patitucci, with his pupil, bass player Mike Pope that filled in for him. The gig took us a lot of emotions since from the start. Rumble was the first song to come out, played with such a great finesse and particular strenght, with Mr. Weckl really in his boots. The band started to play with a little emotion not showing what they really can do. Next was Home Universe and Eternal Child from the Eye of The Beholder cd, that were both beatifully played giving us a great and deep emotion, considering the fact that these were played only during the EOTB tour, a long time ago. At this time came C.T.A., from the CCEB 2 Paint The World CD, with Weckl's drum tech changing the left crash Cymbal with a Ride cymbal in order to suit this different musical style. Let me say that this was not successfully accomplished because Weckl appeared a little out of the mood and not able (!!) to re create the phrasing of Gary Novak that originally played on this track. This track was perfectly suited for Novak's playing and, considering the fact that is Dave Weckl that is playing it with some problems, I confirm what I always really thought: Gary Novak is one of the greatest drummers of our times. Same thing for Blue Miles, played in the 2nd half of the gig that started with the band continuing to play different tracks from their 1st cd and the EOTB, gaining confidence and relax tracks after tracks until they played an incredible rendition of Got A Match, that was played in an incredible way with an awesome Weckl playing this tracks with unbelievable finesse and power. The gig ended with Light Years, again with an impressive Weckl, and with the whole band finally at the top of their shape. A final note: Weckl seemed really nervous from the first note and a little maniac, driving crazy his tech in changing his crash cymbal almost on every song. I really think this is too much. It also seemed to me that his new style not easily adapted to the old music, but the greatness of Mr. Weckl set the things straight and made the whole thing works. Also, his percussion set was absolutely out of the mood and never fitted the music; infact, it never found an appropriate space and was rarely used. The new bass player Mike Pope, was also really tight and nervous, but he has done a great job, considering that Dave never looked at him, not giving him a big help. On a final note, the gig was great but the band seemed a little nervous not showing their full potential (except for the two final songs). But we need to consider that this the 1st european gig and the 3rd of this tour, after a lot of years, and with a new element in the band. They will do a lot of gigs in these days and I'm going to see them here in Rome on July 18th. I'm sure that they will be in the greatest shape we can imagine. I can't wait for the gig. Anyway, thanks Chick, Dave, Frank and Eric for the great emotions. Robertopeland Copyright © 2001-2005 Robertopeland. All rights reserved. Best viewed in IE5+ 800x600 32bit colors.