It is done!

Went into Boston last night. Can any of you guess why? That's right. Finally went to see Mr. Corea and friends (as I like to call them).

There are certain times when I get hit with the realization of what a true musician really is (and this isnt excluding other musicians that Ive heard or listen to from time to time, Im just talking about people on a completely different level). Well last night was one of those times. I was trying not to expect much, even though all of the adult musicians I know who knew about me going kept saying how amazing they knew it was gonna be cause they've "seem him a couple times before" or what have you, I still didnt want to think it was going to be the greatest thing in the world and then get dissapointed. Well I probably could've thought that it was going to be the greatest thing and still be satisfied, because throughout the entire show that's damn well what it felt like. I've never heard or seen five guys be so tight and perfectly in synce with eachother. Even aside from the (rediculously complicated) composed sections, meaning in the solo's or just parts where they seemed to be jamming a bit, they seemed to know exactly what each member was going to do. In all honesty (Ben never thought that this would come out of my mouth) I found some of it tighter and/or more complicated than some Zappa stuff (some, not all). Now I know alot of people dont care much for the seemingly impossible to play stuff cause, who knows, maybe they think it takes away from the emotional factor or the personnal element, but this was everything in one. It was like every part of every song was made up of those "inspirational moments" that most musicians or artists in general value so much, which sometimes seperates what people consider normal and genius. It was almost spiritual, not something that could possibly be justified by words. Im not exagerating in this or anything, it may seem like I am, but ask anyone who went or has been a fan of it for a long time and I can almost garuntee they'll say the same thing. They only played about 6 or 7 songs the entire time, which some people may think "oh well it was probly just pointless jamming that went nowhere". I wouldn't blame someone for thinking that if they didnt go or didnt know the music well, cause hey, 6 or 7 songs in a two hour time span? But this wasn't some jam band. This went somewhere. It was a learning experience not to be taken lightly. I found the Sax player to be the most impressive (have you ever tried to make just one note on one of those things? good lord), but frankly they were all on a completely different level. I dont think Ive ever heard a better show opener either. They did a more aucustic part for one song which was great. The guitarist was phenominal, the drummer was amung the top 10 Ive ever heard, the bassist was doing things that I cant really recall ever hearing a bassist do (made me realize that there may be someone on the same level as Victor Wooten), and Chick was even better than I thought he was going to be. He's getting alittle old (early 60's) and he definately put on a few pounds over the years, but his playing was just as good as in the 70's. The Berklee Performance Center isn't all that big either, so it was a nice intimate setting. It was great to see them enjoying themselves so much, they were smiling almost the entire time and seemed to really enjoy what they were playing, instead of some bands who it looks as if they're just running through the songs like it's a chore just to get paid and get out of there as fast as they can. But this was far different.

In conclusion: I realized things that Ive been trying to figure out for quite some time in my own mind about music in general, and my faith in the human race has been restored briefly just by seeing the heights of what can be done by a few people who love and live for what they do. Good day.

Note: I aplogize if it seemed like I was trying to downsize jam bands by saying "This wasn't some jam band. This went somewhere". Frankly, some jam bands dont take it anywhere yet still see it fit to stretch a song out to over a half hour. I was saying that more on a viewpoint of someone who feels that way about jamming or just taking a song to a completely different place from how it started. I feel that improvisation is one of the most important aspects of music and sometimes life itself.