Chick Corea - Rendezvous in New York: Sings/Sobs Trio (Stretch, 2004)

Via Netflix I've been dipping into the massive ten DVD Rendezvous in New York set that legendary pianist and composer Chick Corea put out a few years ago, and this was one of the DVD's I was most looking forward to seeing, a re-uniting of Corea with drummer Roy Haynes and bassist Miroslav Vitous - the group that cut the classic album Now He Sings, Now He Sobs for Blue Note in 1968. The music and the musicians have lost none of their power and grace, exploring a couple of Thelonious Monk tunes, "Rhythm-a-Ning" and "Straight, No Chaser," and a wonderful romp through the knotty Corea original "Matrix."

A couple of standards round out the disc, "But Beautiful" and "How Deep is the Ocean." The trio works on such a telepathic level that the music is very tight and solo space abounds. Haynes in particular is a blast to watch play as he's clearly having a ball. The only possible complaint could be that the disc is too short, clocking at a club set length 55 minutes with a very short interview with Corea tacked on as an afterthought. Short as it may be, this is a wonderful video presented in a classy setting, and the music is outstanding.

Send comments to: Tim