Project Description

HERBIE HANCOCK

@ The Riverside Theatre,

Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre, WA

(Live Review)

31/05/19

Reviewer: Melanie Griffiths

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If Jazz is America’s only great art form then surely Herbie Hancock must qualify as a national treasure? The influential jazz musician’s career runs long, punctuated with some of Jazz’s other revered members including Miles Davis. He has kept his career relevant and invigorated by embracing new burgeoning styles whilst still kissing the compositional structure of the style he’s playing. The Riverside Theatre, in turn, provided an intimate and up-close view of one of the greats across all genres of music giving the varied audience something incredibly special and wholly satisfying.

An artist’s impact can also be judged by the audience they procure, and Hancock’s music speaks to that with intergenerational fans. Admirers who were with him from his time at Blue Note in the 1960s sat alongside those who may have hooked into his 1980s foray into electronic sampling with the seminal Rockit. And from this shared commonality was a great appreciation.

As Hancock and his band came out on stage, the reaction was immediate with enthusiastic clapping and someone roaring from the back, “Welcome to Perth!”. It was a good sign all round as Hancock cracked a smile whilst seating himself at his keyboard and replied back with a thumbs up sign.

What followed was almost two hours of the finest musicianship you could ever witness. Hancock is epic, everyone knows that but to watch him play was mesmerising; whether at his keyboard or his piano, or incredibly both, his dexterity and ability to captivate was a credit to his much-lauded talent.

His band featuring a notably impressive lineup of seasoned musicians also held their own during the performance. Featuring guitarist and vocalist Lionel Loueke who, with his myriad of pedals, schooled the uninitiated that a guitar could sound like anything including a keyboard. Drummer Vinnie Colaiuta was a marvel to watch as he seemed to do the job of two drummers, and bassist James Genus stood tall, nodding in time as he maintained the momentum and provided the foundation for the others to flourish around. Frankly, you could watch and listen to any of the players on stage and appreciate the experience and confidence of each.

Whilst there were only a handful of songs, including notable favourites “Watermelon Man” and “Cantaloupe Island”, the joy of each song was seeing what directions Hancock and his band took within each of the songs. It certainly pleased the audience as people nodded their heads in time or cheered after some interplay. It was music that didn’t require a knowledge of jazz, just an appreciation of musicians at the top of their game.

Encore song “Chameleon” gave Hancock a chance to flex as he slung a massive keytar across his shoulders. Admittedly it was an act of peacocking but by that stage with the crowd being fully satiated and having given two standing ovations by night’s end, it was totally warranted. Greats like this don’t come through town very often and this crowd intended to make sure he’d want to return for a sixth time.

4 / 5 stars

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