Stanley Clarke

[newuser]

Wow! Just checked the Yoshi's link at top and McCoy's doing two weeks w. two different bands! If you're in the area see both! Too bad I'm back east now. The trio w. Stanley should be lots of fun-I always thought McCoy's power trios ('71-'87) rocked harder than most rocksters. I saw him with Charnett Moffett (bass), Eric Harland (drums), Terrell Stafford (trmpt), Gary Bartz!!!!!(sax) and Philly's own Bootsie Barnes (sax), back in November. Opening was Gerald Veasley's Electric Mingus Project. He's still the real McCoy, even played On The Corner! It's very inspiring to hear elders like McCoy, Wayne Shorter, Gary Bartz, Sonny Rollins &ct. who are still strong players yet continue to evolve and mature. Stanley is Stanley but C Moffett is no slouch and should not be missed.
 
A-and if you're heading out to Wiljan Court to hunt wood, also check out Mica's pinball machine!
 
     -dan

[dgcarbu]

Wow, to say Stanley is Stanley, is a bit of an understatement.  Different strokes....it's all good Dan.

[newuser]

Hi Darrell  
 
Didn't at all mean to diss Stanley or minimize his impact; without a doubt his compositions, sound and note choices are unique/signatory, his contributions gigantic. I meant it more like Bird is Bird but Jackie McLean is no slouch or substitute Coltrane and Kenny Garrett, etc.
 
Charnett Moffett, like Christian McBride and John Patitucci are strong young players who should be heard for their own merits. As should anyone who gets a seat in one of McCoy's bands!
 
-dan

[dgcarbu]

I receive you crystal clear now Dan, you definately have a point.  I saw John Patitucci several years ago for the first time and he is one to be reckoned with.
 
Peace,
Darrell

[bsee]

Anyone want to go to the late show on Thursday?  Events have conspired to cancel my trip for this weekend, and I suspect that Yoshi is unlikely to offer a refund.  Let me know!  Two tickets were $50, and I will gladly accept any donation to defer the cost.  I would rather they get used than that there are two empty seats, though.
 
-Bob

[dgcarbu]

Alright everybody, I saw the set last night at Yoshi's with McCoy Tyner, Stanley Clarke, & Billy Cobham and it was a religous experience for me.  I met and talked with Stanley's son, Chris, and we just chopped it up for a couple of minutes.  I also saw Dusty Baker, and my buddy, Kenyon, new him on a more personal level, so I met, and talked with him after the gig.  
 
Stanley was, obviously, beyond words, a show by himself with that upright.  For those who have not yet seen him play live, please make it a point.  It was mesmerizing!  Not taking away from McCoy & Billy, they were spectacular also.  I've gotta stop, I could go on and on about this.  You just have to check it out yourselves.  My mission for the Friday night show is to get a picture with Stanley and post it here.
 
Yes, I will be going to the late show on Friday as well.
 
Bill,  
I'll look out for you Friday night.
 
Peace,
Darrell

[dgcarbu]

Bob (bsee),
 
Email me, and let me know how I can take the tickets off of your hands.
 
Peace,
Darrell

[bsee]

Running out of time here.  I haven't heard back from Darrell yet.  If I don't hear anything by noon PST, I am going to call Alembic and see if they can use them or give them away.
 
-Bob

[dgcarbu]

Bob,
 
I was stuck out on the flightline today, but I just checked my email and didn't see one from you.  I can still make it to Oakland if the tickets are available.
 
Peace,
Darrell

[bsee]

I gave up and called Alembic to find a taker.  They were gone a bit under two hours ago, sorry!  In fact, about fifteen minutes after giving them away, I finally heard back from a relative who lives in The Presidio and would have taken them.  He had already seen this show in previous years, or at least Tyner and Clarke together, so he's not too bummed.
 
I was feeling badly that I put Mica to work trying to find someone to take them, too!  Oh well, I will have to practice my patience for the custom build wait, but there's no real deadline on that, so it should be easier.
 
-Bob

[dgcarbu]

It's all good Bob, I'm going to the late show tomorrow as well.  Where are you located anyway?
 
Darrell

[bsee]

Massachusetts - I told Yoshi's I was likely to be a few months late for my dinner reservation.

[dgcarbu]

I had to post this one here as well...
 
This was at Yoshi's in Oakland last night.
 
Stanley & I muggin'
 

 
Peace,
Darrell

[bsee]

So, how was the show?  How about a review?  I am so bummed to be home right now.

[lbpesq]

Boy, you get up early, Darrell.  Especially considering you had to drive 1.5 hours more than I did to get home after the gig last night.  Too bad we never hooked up.
 
Anyway, here's my review:
 
OOOOHHHH MMMMYYYYY GGGGOOOOODDDDD!!!!!!!!!
 
Absolutely inf**kincredible!!!!!
 
Bear in mind that of the three (Tyner, Clarke, Cobham), I'd only seen Cobham live before.  They traded solos all night - each one doing things on his instrument I've never heard done before.  
 
Clarke played stand-up through a mike and also a small bass amp.  He played mostly with his fingers, but on one occasion used a bow.  I knew he was awesome, but seeing it in person was still a jaw dropping experience.  Man that guy is FAST.  At times he might as well have been playing Flight of the Bumblebee on bass!  And it was never speed for speed's sake.  100% tasty the whole night.  At one point he was using the bass more as a percussion instrument dueling with Cobham.  Each would throw a curve at the other, and the other would immediately pick up on it and take it further.  It was almost like Clarke & Cobham were trying to fake each other out of their shoes, but neither could shake the other.  Then Stanley just stopped short and lo and behold, so did Billy.  Then they looked at each other and started cracking up, as did McCoy, gleefully watching this little scene unfold.
 
Cobham was amazing - ranging from very light touch to super-speed drum monster, and it all worked.  At a couple of points, Cobham was holding 2 sticks at an angle in each hand - four total, and playing four drums/cymbals simultaneously.
 
McCoy Tyner, playing the biggest Grand Piano I've ever seen, was truly the legend he is.  What a wonderfully lyrical pianist!
 
So I'm sitting 15-20 feet away from three incredible musicians that are obviously having a GREAT time playing together, constantly smiling at each other, nodding and laughing.  If these guys were rock musicians of the same level, I'd have no doubt been watching from the second deck of the Oakland Arena.  What a privilege to see these guys in such an intimate setting.  Any boogers? Well yea, one:  The show ended.
 
Bill, tgo