Stanley Clarke | The Stanley Clarke Band
Album Review: Stanley Clarke – The Stanley Clarke Band
By Peggy Oliver
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Oh,
the power of the bass. The booming bass that shakes car stereos. The bass
vocalist who frames all the choir sections: baritones, tenors, altos and
sopranos. Then there is Stanley Clarke. Not only is he extraordinarily
versed on the standard acoustic bass and electric bass, he throws in a
variety of tenor, piccolo and other basses in between. Whether a
soloist or in a group, Clarke rarely plays by the rhythmic bass rules.
Since his days with keyboardist Chick Corea and Return to Forever (RTF),
Clarke’s nimble fingering, stunning dynamics and complex solos always
turned into jaw dropping experiences. During his quieter and more
retrospective moments as part of the Bass Folk Songs series, Clark
balanced exquisite melodies with his own accompaniment, a mesmerizing
task for any bassist. The Philadelphia School of Music graduate from
1971 found immediate work afterwards with major bandleaders like Horace
Silver and Gil Evans. His melodic sense was fueled by listening to Scott
LaFaro (bass player for Bill Evans) and Charles Mingus, an attribute
which certainly attracted musicians like Corea and landing a long time
gig with RTF. To continue, Please click “MORE”!
the power of the bass. The booming bass that shakes car stereos. The bass
vocalist who frames all the choir sections: baritones, tenors, altos and
sopranos. Then there is Stanley Clarke. Not only is he extraordinarily
versed on the standard acoustic bass and electric bass, he throws in a
variety of tenor, piccolo and other basses in between. Whether a
soloist or in a group, Clarke rarely plays by the rhythmic bass rules.
Since his days with keyboardist Chick Corea and Return to Forever (RTF),
Clarke’s nimble fingering, stunning dynamics and complex solos always
turned into jaw dropping experiences. During his quieter and more
retrospective moments as part of the Bass Folk Songs series, Clark
balanced exquisite melodies with his own accompaniment, a mesmerizing
task for any bassist. The Philadelphia School of Music graduate from
1971 found immediate work afterwards with major bandleaders like Horace
Silver and Gil Evans. His melodic sense was fueled by listening to Scott
LaFaro (bass player for Bill Evans) and Charles Mingus, an attribute
which certainly attracted musicians like Corea and landing a long time
gig with RTF. To continue, Please click “MORE”!