Two

For Chick Corea, playing live in concert is the truest kind of communication. There are no interpreters. There they are. (DownBeat, Dec.,’15) “Two” and the former “The Enchantment” are two sides of a coin. Which CD you like entirely depends on listener’s tastes. In 2007, Chick and Bela Fleck accepted interview by Bill Meredith and John Ephland, soon after the release of “The Enchantment,” for Aug. issue of JazzTimes and Sept. issue of DB respectively. Bela asserts recording before the tour is not his usual practice. He wants to elaborate his idea through the experience on the tour, while Chick tends to accept his improvisations and first takes more. Chick, Bela says, walked him through some areas where he was weak, certain jazz things like how to chord through certain types of songs, how to solo through certain things. Atmosphere of “Two” is very warm. Their conversations are intimate. Most of all, their joy of playing is passed along to us. The attentive audience enjoy every note during their performance.The recorded songs in “Two” is quite similar with those in “The Enchantment.” However, their performing time is extended to almost double in every tune. They admit having more space usually in concerts when they are interviewed. The more they play into the music they start finding the space in it. Much more of improvisation is recorded here. They clearly bring out the best in each other on stage, as they did in the studio. Chick gives his partner more credit than Bela gives himself. Chick’s Spanish flavor and Bela’s bluegrass proclivity makes a good mixture into their music. Bela strums, plucks, even strikes to get bluegrass groove, Chick harmonically wraps them with his tenderness. Each player gives the other room to listen, which they both do intuitively and intently. Chick trills, sometimes plays quizzical dissonance, Bela answers to these. They ascend then descend, they intertwine with each other like a two-headed dragon in the air. Chick talks he’s still learning from the young, Bela’s music. Chick’s generous attitude toward his protege, Bela, is very heart-warming. “Joban Dna Nopia” is an anagram conceited by playful Chick. Bela’s lightness counters Chick’s more robust, heavy-handed piano. “The Climb” is Bela’s laborious exercise to find the way to the “Mountain.” Hoe-down atmosphere pervades within an old fashioned modal bluegrass tune. The song’s lovely, sturdy melody survives an explosive performance of “Brazil.” Chick’s long introduction to “Children’s Song #6” verifies most of the song being improvisation, just a short line being written out. The song is filled with more swirling waltzing lines. On fast Latin groove “Spectacle,” their solos and theme statements flow seamlessly in and out of each other. The talent and versatility of the pair, and how comfortable they feel no matter where, or with whom, they find themselves. Good experience to the listeners too.

I can't say I've listened to a lot of jazz over the years but I've been listening to the local jazz station to expand my horizons. Heard a track from this and was hooked. I've always been a bluegrass fan. The one "bluegrass" number is perhaps my favorite because the combination was so surprisingly effective. Bela, of course, is superb on this but I was amazed with what Chic added on piano. These guys play as if they share a common mind. No theme is too complex and leads to amazing interplay between banjo and piano. Who would have imagined.This is a CD I will listen to many times.

Once you start listening you can't put it down. It is amazing, breathtaking artistry by two pro's that love what they do, love to work together, and never lets up. The best "duets" CD I have ever heard, challenging and enthralling and fun all rolled into one. Exquisite sound engineering. " WOW" is an understatement!

Discazo

Not as unlikely a combo as you might think: Virtuosos Corea and Fleck have come up with a seemingly effortless blend of styles that really works.

Excellent musicianship, interesting combination of jazz piano and banjo. I knew Bela Fleck was good, but was pleasantly surprised to hear how well he paired up with Chick Corea.

Totally awesome from 2 performers at the top of their genres

Stupendous !! Two Jazzmen at the top of their form.

TWOCHICK COREA (piano)BELA FLECK (banjio)2 CD Concord Music Group 2015TRACKLIST CD 1: Señorita (Corea) - Menagerie (Fleck)- Waltse per Abby (Fleck) - Joban Dna Nopia (Corea) - The Climb (Fleck) - Mountain (Fleck)CD 2: Brazil (Barroso/Russel) - The Enchantment (Corea) - Bugle Call Rag (Pettis/Meyers) - Prelude en Berceuse(H.Deutilleux) - Children's Song No. 6 (Corea) - Spectacle (Fleck) - Sunset Road (Fleck) - Armando' s Rhumba (Corea).Ho comprato questo disco a scatola chiusa e non me ne sono pentito. L'ho comprato a scatola chiusa perché Chick Corea non mi ha deluso sia quando l'ho ascoltato dal vivo (Ischia, Caserta, Orvieto, Ravello) sia quando ho comprato un suo disco. Conoscevo poco Bela Fleck,- 57 anni, americano - questo straordinario virtuoso di banjio, ma il duetto 'pianoforte/banjio' mi ha ricordato , in parte, l'altro duetto atipico 'piano/bandolin' interpretato da Bollani ed De Hollanda in un disco della ECM del 2012 ('O que serà').E' un doppio CD ' oltre 2 ore di buona musica - che raccoglie materiale selezionato da 55 concerti che i due musicisti hanno tenuto in giro per il mondo. In questo disco è finito il meglio delle loro performace. E' un po' jazz ed un 'po altro', ma è palpabile, sin dalle prime note, il senso di libertà che accomuna i due musicisti. Ci sono brani di Fleck e brani ' anche datati come 'Children's Song ' di Corea rielaborati da questo inconsueto ed originale duo. Gradevole la rielaborazione per pianoforte e banjio di un brano del 1946 di Henry Dutilleux ('Au gré des ondes' che mostra, ove ce ne fosse dytsto bisogno, la capacitò dei due musicisti di fare 'musica piacevole' anche con partiture più complesse.La qualità della registrazione è davvero buona caratterizzata da una chiarezza ed un dettaglio che rende l'ascolto piacevole e non affaticante. A tratti il banjio sembra essere troppo avanti, ma questo è evidentemente stato un 'compromesso acustico' per evitare che il pianoforte potesse prendere il sopravvento nella scena sonora.Un disco che ascolto con piacere da giorni, perché i due sanno intrattenerti senza mai annoiarti.Consigliato agli amanti del 'jazz acustico suonato in libertà'.IMPIANTO DI ASCOLTOAmplificatore ibrido e CD player della Unison Research, diffusori da pavimento Opera V, pre phono MM/MC Audio Analogue “Aria”, giradischi Clearaudio Emotion e Aurum Beta MM, Sumiko Blue Point MM....e casa mia.

Stunning talent and collaboration!

Buen disco, pero considero que inncesario....

Awesome

The product arrived on time and works fine.