GERSHWIN'S WORLD won the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Individual Or Group. "St. Louis Blues" won the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s).
The epitome of a 20th Century musician, Herbie Hancock has always traversed wildly divergent stylistic paths, finding his way easily into jazz, funk, fusion, dance-pop and more. His ability to make valid individual statements in all these genres is part of what makes his compositions and performances so rich. So it doesn't seem at all incongrous for Hancock to interpret the work of George Gershwin, redefining much of the Gershwin canon in the process (with assistance from some world-class compatriots). Hancock's stated aim for GERSHWIN'S WORLD is to get inside the pieces, illustrating their essence rather than knocking off rote versions of these standards. Towards that end, "St. Louis Blues" is transmogrified by the soulful vocals and funky chromatic harmonica of Stevie Wonder; "It Ain't Necessarily So" becomes an ominous, angular jazz vamp, with saxmen James Carter and Kenny Garret trading arch, sly interjections. Another genre-buster, Joni Mitchell, makes a case for a potential career as a jazz vocalist via her performance on "The Man I Love" and "Summertime."Entertainment Weekly (10/9/98, p.85) - "...Herbie Hancock's striking tribute runs deeper and wider than most, clearly revealing Gershwin's cross-stylistic imprint, from jazz to pop to classical...a feat Hancock is familiar with--and adding snippets of Ellingtonia and other seminal jazz references for historical resonance..." - Rating: A- The Wire (1/99, pp.51-2) - "...the album works, mainly because old rogue Hancock is copping the latest trends injazz rhythm....Hancock is totally at ease...playing pleasantly clanging chords, his sophisticated timing and dissonance signalling a pert intelligence..." Rap Pages (5/99, p.146) - 4 (out of 5) - "...Hancock has always been one to do what he wants musically....you're liable to find Hancock stretching out in just about every direction you can think of..."
**Super Audio CD (SACD) Hybrid** This CD will play in standard CD players. A Super Audio CD player is required to take advantage of the SACD sound technology.
Herbie's World, and Gershwin's What's always amazed me about this album is how every track is completely different from every other, it is sequenced brilliantly and really flows well-- each track sounds exactly right following the last. Greatest of Herbie's concept albums-- SACD version really sounds live too. Submitted by kenevans (Atlanta, GA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 2 of 3 found this helpful.
A must Great performaces and great recordings. Submitted by sorins27 (Melb,AU) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 2 found this helpful.
awesome i engineered on this one and can listen to it regularly.this i cannot do with most albums i have to hear thousands of times in the studio. Submitted by robibanerji (los angeles,ca,usa) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 2 found this helpful.
Super album Best Hancock album. Submitted by Michael (Gdansk,Poland) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 3 of 11 found this helpful. This review is for a different format.
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