spongebob Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Looking at actually buying some Stanley Clarke! Used to have a cheap compo some years back, but never got around to buying any more of his stuff. Anybody got any thoughts where to start on his massive back catalogue? His name doesn't seem to pop up as often as others on BC....so please help me start my Stanley journey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XB26354 Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 No question. School Days. Genius Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveK Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 School Days was considered to be a bit of a SC classic. Haven't played it for years, so not sure how it stands up today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaFunk Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 (edited) I'd start of with the self titled album and School Days but would also try to get a Return To Forever cd as well. Return To Forever's 'Romantic Warrior' is a good place to start. Edited February 16, 2013 by BetaFunk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Romantic Warrior and Light As A Feather are my two faves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaFunk Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1361038200' post='1980251'] Romantic Warrior and Light As A Feather are my two faves. [/quote] Sorry, just edited my post before seeing that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaFunk Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 (edited) This reminds me that i saw Stanley Clarke & Miroslav Vitous do a Bass duo about 30 years ago at the Bracknell Jazz Festival . It was amazing. Anyone else see them do this this? Edited February 16, 2013 by BetaFunk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 [url="http://youtu.be/_tQ5tJ2n3d0"]http://youtu.be/_tQ5tJ2n3d0[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted February 16, 2013 Author Share Posted February 16, 2013 Great stuff so far! Are his '70s recordings pretty much what to go for (on the basis of response at the mo?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaFunk Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 http://youtu.be/Pm_FHEwg7N8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnFitzgerald Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 I agree with the above. Schooldays and Romantic Warrior contain so many classic Stanley lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YouMa Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Vulcan princess or journey to love for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaFunk Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 [quote name='YouMa' timestamp='1361039681' post='1980289'] Vulcan princess or journey to love for me. [/quote] 'Vulcan princess' is on 'Stanley Clarke' (self titled 1st LP) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 That first self titled solo album aka the Brown Album is my favourite . It must rank as one of the all-time great fusion albums , and is a terriffic record not just on a muso/ bass playing level . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YouMa Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 The guy writes some beautiful music not keen on all the popping though,anything he did with george duke is usually good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johngh Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Agree with all of the above. East River Drive is also superb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaFunk Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 (edited) Just been sifting through my vinyl LPs and i think that actually 'Children Of Forever' is Stanley Clarke's debut LP then a year later came the self titled 'Stanley Clarke' LP. I like all of the Return To Forever LPs and his solo stuff up to about 1980 but that's purely a personal opinion. He is also on Norman Connor's 'Dance Of Magic' LP from 1973 which is worth searching out. Edited February 16, 2013 by BetaFunk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 [url="http://youtu.be/R94d7Y3gAcw"]http://youtu.be/R94d7Y3gAcw[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YouMa Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Stans the man if Jaco had been a bit more funk than fusion i think he would have robbed him though,always wondered why Jaco never got more funk into hs stuff that little beaver track he did was just so smooth.Never liked the chicken though decidely unfunkey i thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Journey to Love for me because Jeff Beck's on it and it's a bit more rock than the others. Closely followed by the debut and School Days I reckon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 (edited) [quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1361039201' post='1980279'] [media]http://youtu.be/Pm_FHEwg7N8[/media] [/quote]Wow!!! When 2 "Death Stars" take acid and dance together in outer space. (Death Stars as in where Darth Vader use to hang out). Edited February 16, 2013 by steve-soar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Stiff have a soft spot for "Rocks Pebbles And Sand". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuyR Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 "If this bass could only talk" has spellbinding playing throughout, particularly on " working man" and "Tradition", along with cameos from Allan Holdsworth and Stewart Copeland. "Stanley Clarke Live at the Greek" is superb too - and the live band includes Billy Cobham and Larry Carlton. Both highly recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 [quote name='GuyR' timestamp='1361051225' post='1980520'] "If this bass could only talk" has spellbinding playing throughout, particularly on " working man" and "Tradition", along with cameos from Allan Holdsworth and Stewart Copeland. [/quote] Superb record, easily one of his best. It was pretty well received at the time, IIRC, and then it seemed to fade into obscurity for a bit behind some of his 70's stuff. But in terms of quality and consistency, it's right up there. Consistency is a big issue when you're listening to Stanley, he admits himself he often goes a while without producing a great record and he is man enough to look back and admit not everything he has done is stellar. Like the Clarke/Duke Project records. Instantly switch-offable fuzak, and Stan is one of my all time favourites! His best record, I reckon, and the best place to start with Stan, is [i]The Toys Of Men. [/i]It is absolutely superb stuff, top drawer music. It shows everything that Stan does, from bombastic fusion epics, to cool mood pieces on upright and acoustic basses, to funky, driving slap tunes. The production is top class and the cast list is as good as it gets. Truly, the stars had aligned for Stanley there! It still blows me away to listen to now. Often overlooked, but also quite amazing, the Animal Logic records. It's not typical Stan stuff, and he was slated for making those records, unfairly so I think. Some of the lyrics are a little cheesy, but as far as great songs and musicianship goes, they are great albums. Intelligent pop music made by musicians for musicians. They were moderately popular in the states at the time too because Stewart Copeland was playing the drums. Sadly they only made two albums, but they are great. Stanley wasn't giving it his lightning fast Return To Forever tricks, but he was playing in the pocket with some amazing lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 [quote name='Chris2112' timestamp='1361056389' post='1980580'] Superb record, easily one of his best. It was pretty well received at the time, IIRC, and then it seemed to fade into obscurity for a bit behind some of his 70's stuff. But in terms of quality and consistency, it's right up there. Consistency is a big issue when you're listening to Stanley, he admits himself he often goes a while without producing a great record and he is man enough to look back and admit not everything he has done is stellar. Like the Clarke/Duke Project records. Instantly switch-offable fuzak, and Stan is one of my all time favourites! His best record, I reckon, and the best place to start with Stan, is [i]The Toys Of Men. [/i]It is absolutely superb stuff, top drawer music. It shows everything that Stan does, from bombastic fusion epics, to cool mood pieces on upright and acoustic basses, to funky, driving slap tunes. The production is top class and the cast list is as good as it gets. Truly, the stars had aligned for Stanley there! It still blows me away to listen to now. Often overlooked, but also quite amazing, the Animal Logic records. It's not typical Stan stuff, and he was slated for making those records, unfairly so I think. Some of the lyrics are a little cheesy, but as far as great songs and musicianship goes, they are great albums. Intelligent pop music made by musicians for musicians. They were moderately popular in the states at the time too because Stewart Copeland was playing the drums. Sadly they only made two albums, but they are great. Stanley wasn't giving it his lightning fast Return To Forever tricks, but he was playing in the pocket with some amazing lines. [/quote] Agree with pretty much all that..... And saves me a lot of typing as well.... Garry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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