Returning To Forever

Wednesday August 24th, 2011 is a day I will always remember.  I, as well as my brother Charlie and his friend Andrew Seitz had the chance to see Return to Forever in concert at the Orpheum Theater.  Going into the show, I knew we were going to be in for something special.  We were seated in the balcony of the theater with a perfect view of the stage.  The opening act would be Zappa Plays Zappa.  Dweezil Zappa (son of the maverick genius guitarist and all around musical wizard Frank Zappa) would play his father’s compositions and some of his own.    

That set was laden with supercharged guitar fireworks as Zappa shredded on his late father’s Gibson SG backed by a stellar band of musicians that included horns and brought his dad’s psychedelic, oddball and humorous songs to life in tribute, years after Frank Zappa’s death.  Instrumental virtuosity along with songs that had grotesquely humorous lyrics and monumental arrangements just seemed to work.  His father’s songs like “St. Alfonso’s Pancake Breakfast” or “Don’t Eat The Yellow Snow” had the same zaniness and crudeness that they’d always possessed.    

After that opening set though, the real fireworks would begin when Return To Forever took the stage.  Mostly known for their epic works penned during their heyday of the 1970s, RTF would draw from that era heavily during this concert and as fans, we couldn’t wait to experience it.  Their lineup has gone through some changes as core members Chick Corea on keyboards, Stanley Clarke on electric and upright bass and Lenny White on drums, remained.  But joining them were two new, yet veteran players.     Frank Gambale on guitar from Chick Corea’s Elektric Band would pick up the mantle left off by RTF’s previous legendary guitarist, Al di Meola who has since gone on to tour the world as a solo act.  …And, joining the band would be world class violinist Jean Luc Ponty who first came to prominence with John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra at the same time Return to Forever was popular in the glory days of ‘70s jazz/rock fusion.    

This ensemble would prove throughout the evening to be very tight musically.  Improvisation is what they do best.  The opening number (“Medieval Overture”) was the start of something special as the band played through a catalog of well-known numbers.   “Sorceress”/”The Shadow of Lo” was an epic that would be the envy of any modern jam band, with great interplay between Corea, Gambale and Clarke.        Other songs like “After the Cosmic Rain” (from the “Hymn of the 7th Galaxy” record, “Dayride”,  and “Sorceress”/”Shadow of Lo” (that turned into a major epic that would be the envy of any modern jam band).  

Jean Luc Ponty’s composition entitled “Renaissance”, Stanley Clarke’s, “Dayride” from the No Mystery album, and “Romantic Warrior” were all highlights as each musician put their flair into them.  Chick’s deft piano work coupled with a strong, funky bottom end from Stanley and Lenny drove the songs.      For their parts, Jean Luc and Frank both provided fireworks.  Jean Luc was the perfect complement to the rest of the band as shown in the aforementioned “Renaissance”.  He added a lot to the band’s sound and put everything into his playing.  Gambale’s guitar work was red hot and sure similarities could be drawn between his own fiery licks and what Al di Meola contributed.  Gambale uses a technique known as sweep picking, playing quick, fluid notes where both the right and left hand are used.  Gambale has mastered this technique and it showed in all the songs played last night, even in some of the mellower acoustic numbers like “Romantic Warrior”.      
But, during “Romantic Warrior”, something was about to happen.  Before Dweezil Zappa took the stage, Charlie and I had gone back out to the merchandise table as there was an opportunity to sign up for a meet and greet with members of the band after the show.  I told Charlie “you know, we’d better take that chance.  We have a great opportunity here.”  We did and were called down by a venue security official from our seats.    
Going outside to the back of the theater, we ended up on stage for the encore which was Stanley Clarke’s solo number, “School Days”.    Many fans had been calling out for that tune during the concert.  …And so, our wish was granted.  Charlie, Andrew and I had a bird’s eye view of the band as they played that number, Stanley, leading and being encouraged by the audience, slapping the strings of his bass to beat the band.  So, would the evening be over?  Not by a long shot!  We were told to wait as the band came off stage.  But, back in the staging area, we would have the chance to meet with our heroes.      

Nearly everyone was back there except for Jean Luc who had to have needed a well-deserved rest after his efforts playing masterfully on his violin.  Charlie and I first approached Stanley, shaking his hand and gathering for a picture, talking about the impact his playing had had on both of us.  I reminisced with him about seeing a gig he played at the Dakota Jazz Club with his own band back in March to which he replied, “that tour we did with (fellow bass legend) Victor Wooten, was a fun tour.”  Charlie mentioned his learning Stanley’s record called “Journey to Love” and wanting to perform that in a recital one day.     To that, Stanley replied, “go for it.  You are dedicated.  Keep playing music.  It’s good to play with all sorts of different musicians.”  We gathered in for a picture with Stanley as well.  I approached Chick Corea telling him I enjoyed the show and saying, “I really appreciate what you do with Return To Forever and your work with Miles Davis on ‘In A Silent Way’ and ‘Bitches Brew’.  He thanked me for those words as he was coming towards his dressing room.  Frank Gambale was the next one I talked to.      

Both Andrew and I explained our passion as guitarists and he was glad to hear we enjoyed his playing.  As with Stanley, we also got a picture with Frank (or at least, Andrew did).  I briefly spoke to Lenny White as well, mentioning my appreciation for his connection with Miles Davis, too.  Alas, it was time for all of us to go our separate ways as RTF was to continue their odyssey on the road and we, tired, but still in euphoria mode, would make our way home.        

I was very satisfied.  For the first time in my life, I was able to approach and talk to some of my all-time musical heroes.  In the relatively short time I have followed RTF and listened to their music, they have had a great impact on me because of their musicianship and the adventurous nature of their songs with all the improvisation that goes into each and every one.  The name of the band is significant as Chick said in an interview I’d read before the concert.     Returning to forever means that in life, you are always in a familiar place even if you feel like the places you’ve gone or the journeys you’ve taken have always been new or unfamiliar, you have a place to come to.  Last night was indeed my return to forever.