Features Previously Unreleased Live Tracks. Highlights Include Live Version Of “River” With Joni Mitchell On Vocals
“Herbie was ahead of the game,” says drummer Billy Hart (who was in Hancock’s band from 1970-73), in the liner notes to ‘Then and Now: The Definitive Herbie Hancock,’ released Sept. 23 on Verve Records. Experimentation has always been the name of the game in Hancock’s storied career.
A few examples of Hancock’s staggering versatility and diversity are evident in the following highlights, previously unavailable on CD, featured on the 12-track collection: “River”.
The centerpiece of ‘Then and Now: The Definitive Herbie Hancock’ is a previously unreleased live version of “River,” featuring Joni Mitchell on vocals.
Herbie frequently collaborated with the iconic singer songwriter throughout the years, and made her the subject of ‘River: The Joni Letters’ (Verve Records), the 2008 Grammy Album of the Year. The original version of “River,” featuring Corinne Bailey Rae on vocals, also appears on this essential collection. The only live performance Herbie and Joni did together for the Grammy Award-winning album was this live version in March 2008 for the Nissan Live Sets on Yahoo! Music, previously unreleased on CD.
In 1983 Herbie unexpectedly turned his attention to electro, a form still in its infancy, and the result was “Rockit,” an instant genre classic, a smash hit and groundbreaking video. “Rockit” was one of the first mainstream singles to feature scratching.
After 20 years at the forefront of jazz, Herbie received his first Grammy Award—for Best R&B Instrumental in 1983. “Rockit” remains not just a studio concoction but a vibrant performance vehicle, as evidenced by the strong live version featured on this collection from 2002’s Future 2 Future DVD, previously unreleased on CD.
Head Hunters, released in 1973, was the biggest selling jazz release of its time. Its centerpiece is “Chameleon,” a Top 20 chart hit with a hypnotizing electronic bass, Herbie playing guitar lines on the clavinet and super funky drum patterns courtesy of Harvey Mason.
The “Chameleon” edit featured on ‘Then and Now: The Definitive Herbie Hancock’ has until now only been available on iTunes.
‘Then and Now: The Definitive Herbie Hancock’ is available now on Verve Records.