Review: Return to Forever - Chicago, IL 6/20/08

Return to Forever
The Chicago Theatre
Chicago, IL
June 20th, 2008

The Return to Forever reunion tour is quickly shaping up to the be the jazz event of 2008. Though they haven't recorded an album since the 1970s, this classic groundbreaking fusion band (consisting of Chick Corea - keys, Stanley Clarke - bass, Lenny White - drums, and Al Di Meola - guitar) have been filling concert halls since they first hit the road in late May. I was fortunate enough to see RTF with my father when they played the historic Chicago Theatre this past Friday night, and blown away by the sheer musicianship this band possesses.

The first thing I noticed while we made our way to our seats was the audience. While there were some younger folks in attendance, the age demographic of the crowd seemed skewed to the 50+ set. There are always some older "fuseheads" at the types of shows I see, but this crowd was loaded with them. The band/promoter obviously anticipated this, since the pre-show house music consisted of RTF-era fusion classics such as "Crosswind" and "Proto Cosmos." When the band took the stage, they received the first of many standing ovations. This was an enthusiastic crowd to say the least, but it was the band's own enthusiasm that really struck me. From their opening song onward, the guys were obviously having a great time onstage. They were loose and fun to watch, and their mood definitely rubbed off on the audience. Despite a few technical glitches (e.g., one of Di Meola's amp heads gave up the ghost), the show was fantastic and included many of the band's classic songs over the course of two sets. Di Meola had a couple of his PRS guitars, but he also played his black 1958 Les Paul. This, along with the appearance Clarke's Alembic bass and Corea's Fender Rhodes, added to the evening's "throwback" vibe.

"Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy" and "Sorceress" were big highlights from the first set for me. The fast doubled lines in these and other songs were always tight and punchy. Di Meola had some great solos in these tunes, and was amazing for the entire show. While his patented fast-as-possible triplet patterns always whipped the crowd into a frenzy, I found his mid-tempo lines to be more interesting and dynamic - especially when he would drop in some chromatic or diminished ideas. And his rhythm work was equally impressive. On some songs, such as "Vulcan Worlds," he displayed some of the funkiest, syncopated strumming work I've every witnessed. Take it from me, this guy's right hand is legendary for a reason.

The second set was played with acoustic instruments, and included solo showcases from each band member. Di Meola opened the set with an incredible unaccompanied nylon-string solo, but it was Clarke's acoustic solo spot that really stole the show (or at least the second set). The types of things he played (slapping, amazing fast runs) would be difficult for a lesser player on an electric bass, much less on a giant double bass like Clarke was playing. The term "jaw-dropping" jumps to mind. The second set also included some cool straight-ahead acoustic jazz from the trio of Corea, Clarke, and White.

For the final encore, they played a great version of the Corea standard "Spain." Corea pulled out his "keytar" for this one, and enticed the crowd into a fun call-and-response segment. It was a great ending to a great show. On the way home I had a thought - In this day and age, especially in the United States, which bands or players from the jazz fusion genre can fill a room as prestigious as the Chicago Theatre for a premium ticket price? Return To Forever, with it's lineup of legends, is perhaps the only band currently touring that can pull this off. All jazz and/or fusion fans need to catch this tour if they have a chance. 

The 6/20/08 setlist, as provided by the Return to Forever website:

SET 1
Opening Prayer
Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy
Vulcan Worlds
The Sorceress
Song To The Pharoah Kings

SET 2
No Mystery
Summer Night
The Romantic Warrior
Duel Of The Jester And The Tyrant

Encores
Day Ride
Spain

Check out http://www.return2forever.com for more info on the tour (including pics from this show).

Rich

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Comments

[Bob]

It was a very memorable show. It took me a few days to take it all in. I think what distinguishes Di Meola's playing from many of his contemporaries,is that he uses little, if any, string bending in his runs. And, that black Les Paul is a beautiful axe. And, "jaw-dropping" is a perfect description of Clarke's playing. He gave a nod to Chicago blues, with some call and response fun with the audience on some southside blues riffs.

Though they may not have broken any new ground with this tour, they continue to play vital, exciting music and show why they are the true pioneers of jazz fusion.

[John Jackson]

I caught them last night at Merriwether Post Pavillion in Columbia Md. Everthing you wrote is true. I am over 50 and saw them when. They are better now. Jaw-dropping is the proper adjective.

[Kevin]

I'm not quite 50 (48) but I got hooked on this style of music from the early Chicago albums. I too saw them last night at Merriweather and it was the best show of any kind I've seen in decades. Warmup set by a band put together by Larry Coryell was a special treat (Chick said they did that just for this show -- wow! This is also the reason their set list was short for this show).

I have a question for anyone who knows -- where did the song "Summer Night" come from? I've seen that in previous show set lists (although they didn't play it last night). Is this a new song or something from one of the band members' earlier projects? I can't find a song by that name on any of their albums.

[Joe]

I saw them near the end of their tour in Tampa, and walked away from the theater with a huge grin plastered on my face. I consider myself so fortunate that I happened to see a barely advertised blurb the day of the show, and managed to get a ticket. Too bad we have such an anemic jazz station here in Tampa. Maybe if I could stand listening to pablum jazz all day I might have heard about the show in time to get a good seat. Oh well, that's a rant for another post.

What can I say about the show that the original review hasn't said. Stellar musicianship, energy and excellence from a group that hasn't toured together in 25 years. I was in awe of them when I saw them 32 years ago, and even more in awe today. Normally I get very bored with audiences that hoot and holler and stand after every song, but in this concert it was absolutely necessary. Every accolade from the mostly 50ish crowd was absolutely deserved.

I loved the electric first half, but it was the acoustic second set that really shined. Like the OP I appreciate DiMeola's fretboard fluidity, and like the OP I reveled in his lush chromatic work. Stanley Clarke is...nuff said. Lenny White seemed a little tired for much of the show, but still showed what real drumming talent means.

Chick Corea is an amazing composer, keyboardist, and band leader, and I'm so glad he brought this group together for what will always be one of the most memorable shows I've ever attended.

If you missed this tour, pray they come around again.