FAKSM: “Spain” – Hiromi Uehara and Chick Corea
Posted in Fucking Amazing Kickass Song of the Moment on July 15th, 2009 7:06 by delrey28Tags: hiromi uehara
First of all, fucking great idea Henkka. I will surely have fun with this feature. As soon as I read the post I immediately came up with about 5 must hear- nay, must EXPERIENCE songs that I can’t wait to share.
So, I’ve been thinking here, what will the first one I post about be? For any who have read my about page, there is a song that I mention there and have cited as the single most influential song on my life and mind thus far: Frank Zappa’s immortal classic, “The Black Page.” Although I will most certainly eventually write a post about this song for this feature, I decided to first cover some semi familiar ground for readers of this blog. I’m sorry to disappoint some of you, this first song is not metal. No, my first entry will be a Japanese artist and falls into the jazz category.
A lot of people can’t approach jazz for very good reason. It is, by design, the true musician’s music. Complex chord voicings, elaborate progressions, and a focus on the solo instrumentalist weaving improvised melodies within the moment lends jazz to both the structured and organized tendencies of the classical musician as well as the unfettered and free aspirations of blues and rock artists. Joaquim Berendt defines jazz as a “form of art music which originated in the United States through the confrontation of blacks with European music”; he argues that jazz differs from European music in that jazz has a “special relationship to time, defined as ’swing’”, “a spontaneity and vitality of musical production in which improvisation plays a role”; and “sonority and manner of phrasing which mirror the individuality of the performing jazz musician”. Well, I couldn’t have stated it better myself. Thanks Wikipedia!
This is somewhat of a double whammy post since I get to showcase both Chic’s incredibly beautiful composition “Spain” as well as some killer piano chops. But, the real star of this post is miss Hiromi Uehara. I wanted to cover a Japanese artist first since we tend in this demographic to love our idols so much and, well, we may not notice other types of Japanese women in art and, specifically, music in our normal day-to-day. At least not outside the pop arena. So, my job is to listen to all the crazy shit and then puke out posts on how epic I think they are. If you disagree, well, that’s great. I’ll look forward to reading your comments on why. If you do agree, ditto. But, I don’t want to cover just ANYTHING. As Henkka said, this isn’t about jam-spamming. It’s about taking notice of and appreciating truly epic level music. Stuff that just doesn’t fit anywhere else but the upper echelons of the musical stratosphere. This, and all the future posts I write for this feature, is a song that is so effective it has made me weep. I shit you not. Very few things can make me weep. In fact, beyond the death of a loved one it is only art that can pull it off. I’m not always sure why, but I do know that it doesn’t happen often and when it does it means I’ve found something worth the search.
So the first FAKSM I submit to you is a version of “Spain” by Chick Corea as performed as a piano duet by himself and the inimitable Hiromi Uehara:
I’m notorious in my circle of music nerd friends of incessantly complaining about not having studied piano instead of guitar. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not unhappy as a string player, I just understand that the piano is literally the ultimate instrument. And when people challenge my complaint I always show them this video. Piano has everything. Potentially 88 key polyphony, a superb layout facilitating theory study, it’s percussive in nature allowing for a very physical performance experience, and it fits in any genre (don’t think acoustic piano can be metal? Check out “Edge” also by Hiromi).
So yeah, about Hiromi. Back in the day I worked at a Barnes and Noble in Houston. It was a good gig; I hung out in the music department and straightened CDs for 8 hours a day listening to all the new music hitting the shelves and ordering anything I wanted all the time. It was in many ways a time of musical discovery for me. I learned more about jazz and world music in those years than any other period. Well, one day a fellow came in asking for the newest album by Hiromi entitled “Brain”. I found it and sold it to him and he went on about his way never to be seen again.
At the time, I was just starting to study Japanese seriously and I gravitated to all Japanese names now that I could differentiate them from other Asian language names. But, I was cautious about Japanese artists in the jazz section thanks to a nasty run in with Keiko Matsui. I wasn’t interested in New Age healing music. I wanted to hear things I had never heard before. Since the album was called “Brain” I gave it a shot. Since then, Hiromi has been my all time top pick for piano based jazz fusion.
Not only is this girl cute as a button, and not only does she cite King Crimson and Dream Theater among her influences, but GOD DAMN SHE PLAYS PIANO LIKE A MAD BEAST I MEAN OH MY GOD LOOK AT WHAT SHE’S DOING! Seriously guys, this girl is one of the best jazz pianists I’ve ever heard, and I have heard a lot! She is fierce and she does not play the minimalist card at all! She goes all the way or nothing. That is awesome!!! But, she’s not just a flurry of notes either. Her compositions are rich and inspiring, filled with an unexpected maturity (with Ahmad Jamal as a mentor maybe it isn’t so unexpected). My favorite work by her is the album Spiral, on which the aforementioned “Edge” is the premiere track (not to be confused with Perfume’s “Edge,” also epic).
In this song we see her paired up with Chick Corea in a duet. I won’t bother mentioning Chic Corea and discussing his merits. If you don’t know who he is, well I guess you don’t like piano based jazz fusion. He’s pretty much the father of electronic fusion. Wiki to the rescue!
But anyway, in the song we can see all the elements come together; the intricate chordal structures, the complicated voicings, the amazing improvised melodic lines. And best of all to me, you can SEE these people communicating in a way most people will never be able to experience. Piano virtuosos are better people. They get to experience a completely different world than we do. What must it feel like to cause this to happen? Look at Chic, acting as a senpai in the strictest sense. He is in control and allows Hiromi to take the lead and showcase her ability. She in turn playfully and often soulfully flutters around the phrases and chords that he provides like a butterfly hopping from pistil to stamen. They are dancing like nobody else can. It’s absolutely awe inspiring. And the best part? Hiromi speaks very broken English and Chic doesn’t know a word of Japanese. This is truly music at one of it’s best moments. This is human communication of another kind.
Well anyway, I don’t mean to get all weird on you guys. But, this is serious shit. I mentioned earlier that this piece made me weep. Yeah, it did. The first time I watched this I was looking for something, trying to figure out what it was I wanted out of music. I was trying to figure out why I wrote music, why I practiced so diligently, and why I wanted so badly to perform it for strangers. I realized after watching these people have this “conversation” that it was about communication. Simple, honest, human communication at it’s purest.
I’ve been saying it since I was 18: music is the single greatest medium for the expression of human emotion.
Thanks to whoever took the time to read this. Hope it wasn’t too … whatever it is. :)
Just a quick addendum…
Note a perfect example of conflict/resolution beginning at 2:15 when the ostinato begins. Rhythmic and harmonic foundation supplied by Chick, Hiromi plays “out” on top in a range very close to the register of the ostinato, she chooses stressful, dissonant notes and jarring rhythmic phrasing to escalate a sense of urgency in the passage. Then at about 2:40 we descend into a resolution of sorts. Temporarily of course.
Man, this shit is awesome. Anyway….
There’s a whole album like this with Corea and Herbie Hancock from the 70s. Technically it’s great, but I could never get into it. Replacing Hancock with a cute Japanese girl tests the yellow fever denial essay auto-response I’ve learned to suppress by now thank god. I want to say she’s more into dissonance and playing with time, but she might just be cuter. I actually prefer her other performances I’ve seen in more blatant fusion or pop settings.
I have mixed feelings about the piano in general. I’d like to hear Henkka’s anti-piano view on this.
I’m sorry to disappoint you Jim but I have to say, delrey is right. Piano really is the ultimate instrument. skald just asked me this the other day, and we both came to this same conclusion, there’s just no way around it. Nothing really beats the piano in terms of– well, just read delrey’s post, eh? :P
Anyway, fantastic post delrey, and man, talk about setting the bar high you bastard. Now I’ll never be able to post a FAKSM myself. Pssh. :P I really admire your ability talk music, I wish I could do that. I suppose that’s something that studying music probably helps you with. :P
Honestly while I’m not really a jazz guy — it’s not at all due to me not liking the music, just my laziness when it comes to discovering more from the genre — this performance was just magical. Completely agreed on what you said about them sharing a connection of a whole other kind. Hell, you don’t even have to like the music, just looking at their facial expressions will tell you everything. Loved watching that. It’s a cliché of a saying but this reminds you: music really is the universal language.
Anyway, I’ve just recently discovered Hiromi myself. She’s fantastic! I’ve loved everything I’ve heard from her so far, I think I’ll have to download her whole discography. It’s like Dream Theater, except without guitars and not boring! (Nah, I actually quite like DT occasionally, I even own a DVD or three.) Anyway, my point is that she is insane as well as completely HOT.
Again, a great choice and one that will leave me considering my FAKSM even more seriously.
@Jim: That’s the thing with jazz fusion in general. It just isn’t that approachable. Plus, artists of the genre can easily fall victim to the technique over substance factor. Notable examples include Jean-Luc Ponty and Chick Corea himself. Because of the “heady” and downright nerdiness of many fusion greats, a lot of people are left unable to relate to the music and thus unable to appreciate it. Lucky for me, I’m a total dork that plays and writes music. So jazz fusion and prog rock are kind of a perfect fit for me. Actually, I guess Zappa would be the “perfect fit.” More on him in later posts. :)
As for the piano as an instrument, well, Hiromi is a fine example of why I think it’s the best instrument. It can do almost anything. Really most of all as a writing tool does it shine so bright. I may be biased in that respect.
@Henkka: Hey thanks, I’m glad you liked the post! At first I thought it was too long-winded (which it is, lol) but I decided to just say to hell with it and published the fucker. As for setting the bar high, whatever man. Just wait until I get to the Stravinsky post! :P
HAHAHA, “It’s like Dream Theater, except without guitars and not boring!” Nicely stated. I feel the same way about DT. I want to dislike them but then I put on Dance of Eternity and it’s like “dammit”. Also, for the record, Hiromi’s latest two albums added John “Fuse” Fuscynski (sp?) on GUITAR. So there. Complete.
Dude, thanks again for the props. And FYI, I’ll probably do one of these per week. ;)
Oh yes, piano please. I must say that although the song touched places, I felt more from the actual perfect synchronicity between Chick and Hiromi, the communication was just pure awe inspiring. Pianists are better people. Thank you for this beauty.
Henkka: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090319132909.htm
Chick Corea is good, I also quite fancy Erroll Garner and Oscar Peterson. None of them did mental prog like Corea though. Chesney Hawkes on the bongos eating whiskey biscuits, fucking brilliant.
I would literally shove sandpaper up my jap’s eye if she were to spit on me from a moving car
@Ted: Correct! Chick had a way with left-brained nerd-core jazz. Too bad he’s like a Scientologist now or something. But, musically he still kicks ass. There was up until recently a fantastic Russian TV clip on YouTube of him and his “New Trio” with Avishai Cohen and Jeff Ballard that was the SICKness. Now it’s unavailable as far as I know.
@Bluce_Ree: LMAO! Right?! She’s so epic. And furthermore she’s like ADORABLY nice! How can something so cute be so fucking BAD! I mean, normally I associate cute Japanese piano players with, like, ManoEri or maybe young Yossie. But, Hiromi takes that image and just fucking slaughters it. You half expect her to pluck out “Sakura” (which she does) or play some stale classical piece but instead she melts your mind with insane poly-rhythmic ambidextrous magnificence. Mwahahahahahaha! Thank you Hiromi!
[...] about Hiromi in a recent review on the Finn’s website. Share and [...]
I’ve had this bookmarked to come back to the comment but it got buried.
@Henkka I saw you say something about preferring harpsichord once. Beside the sound of it the obvious difference is being able to vary the dynamics and sustain. Which is a big deal. I’ve never played a real harpsichord, but I like there not being any room to fuck around on it really, you’d have to be totally precise because every note is the same volume. I like Baroque music and Stravinsky for the same reason because it’s not Romantic. And I don’t like Dream Theater for the same reason I don’t like most Jazz Fusion: they get too involved in making the notes complicated and forget to make it sound organic.
I’m learning piano now to get into regular music theory more. Studying the history of how it’s set up like it is and all that is really interesting and it’s almost like the key to understanding music in general. But I’m into the inbetween notes. It’s too limited I think. Yasutaka Nakata is into this, he’s using a keyboard and autotune but he’s bending the hell out of notes and really extending the harmonics. I’m really into those ideas.
@jim: Yeah, the harpsichord is definitely one of my favorites up there (along with the magnificent thing called the mellotron). Wow, I didn’t even know about the being unable to vary dynamics part. That’s cool! Man, one day I have to own a harpsichord myself. There’s nothing really better than starting your day up with some Bach harpsichord concerto or something. Mmmm…