Product Description

Herbie Hancock never really focused on solo piano. However,this 1978 release, which was previously only available in Japan, is a rare gem in the Hancock discography. Thanks to this overdue 2004 reissue, the listener is invited to explore the musical mind of this pianist in an up-close and intimatesetting.
All 11 tracks on THE PIANO are quite reflective, with Hancock employing many rich chordal textures and winding melodic gestures throughout. On "My Funny Valentine", Hancock combines the harmonic palette of Bill Evans with his own distinctive phrasing and unexpected modal shifts. His owncomposition "Blue Otani" is the only bluesy piece on this disc, and here Hancock slyly suggests the stride piano tradition without ever really playing in this style. "Harvest Time" is the most atmospheric piece on the album. As Hancock's fingers glide over the keys, one can almost envision the first blush of daybreak on a farm. For anybody seeking to betterunderstand the conceptual and technical wizardry of Hancock, THE PIANO is a priceless find.

Track Listing

1. My Funny Valentine
2. On Green Dolphin Street
3. Someday My Prince Will Come
4. Harvest Time
5. Sonrisa
6. Manhattan Island
7. Blue Otani
8. My Funny Valentine (Take 3)
9. On Green Dolphin Street (Take 2)
10. Someday My Prince Will Come (Take 3)
11. Harvest Time (Take 3)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23002 in Music
• Released on: 2004-09-20
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

pianistic delight
Recorded in the late 70's, but only widely issued fairly recently, the piano is an essential disc for fan's of herbie hancock. Whilst not necessarily the first cd a curious listener should pick up (blue note discs like maiden voyage and empyrian isles, or the funky headhunters album are the best starting place), it comes highly recommended.

Basically falling into 2 sections, the cd consists of 3 unique readings of jazz standards (my funny valentine, someday my prince will come and on green dolphin street) and 4 originals. The approach to the standards is very laid back and modern in outlook (especially in terms of the voicing) , but with the driving sense of ryhthm common to herbie's playing.

The originals show the most stylistic variety. Harvest time & Sonarisa continue the laid back feeling of the standards, but with a more pastoral sound.
Manhattan is a slightly moodier affair, with the most definitvely 'hancock' sound, rich 'jazzier' harmony and gorgeous runs. The disc then ends with Blue Otani, a more 'rooty' affair, as bluesy as the title suggests, but contains the same elements that bind the whole of the album and Herbie's piano style. Alternate takes are a great addition at the end.

It goes without saying that any piano student intrested in Herbie should really buy this album, being that it's virtually a masterclass on unaccomponied modern jazz piano, but in no way is this simply a 'pianists' album(especially as the focus is on the overall sound, and not just overtly 'choppy' playing, of which herbie is more than capable of, but choses not to overdo), but for anyone that likes the sound of a piano being played with the skill, grace and focus he brings to it.

Piano Lesson
When records as good as this 1978 recording do not get released for nearly thirty years outside of Japan, you can hardly wonder at the 1970's reputation as the decade that Jazz forgot. As far as I am aware, Hancock does not have a prolific record of solo piano offerings and this CD, excellently recorded despite it's age, demonstrates that this is something that he should do more to rectify. Had it had been released at the time, no doubt this is a record that would have acquired classic status.
As someone who has tried to learn jazz piano, I feel that I am qualified to agree with everything that the other reviewer says, although I would add that the magic that is contained within this disc requires careful listening to fully appreciate. (Unlike Keith Jarrett who probably appeals as much to the non-musician and musician alike.) There is room in my CD collection for all types of pianists, yet Hancock is, for this reveiwer, the most technically accomplished and greatest of them all. The first half of the disc offers some reflective renditions of standards associated with Miles Davis and allows Hancock to explore his rich, harmonic palete. "My funny valentine" opens like a piece of 20th Century Classical music - no surpise really since Hancock is familiar with this repertoire. "Green Dolphin Street" demonstrates a simplification of the harmonic structure a la Coltrane, yet his right hand improvisations seem to explore every harmonic possibility. The control of dynamics is breath-taking. This is even more remarkable given that these tracks are all unedited. Elsewhere, a set of originals is no less involving, ending in some dirty blues playing. Although these tracks are all around the five minute mark, the pianist has carefully crafted them into perfectly contained performances that go well beyond the usual run around the block on the chord changes. Each composition , therefore, has it's own carefully considered architecture. This is the work of a true genius.
At the end of the official release, this CD adds some alternative takes that give a more robust view of the standards that were probably considered contrary to the intended ambience of the original LP. Whereas alternative takes can often be little more that inferior renditions of the selected take, these offer a fascinating window into Hancock's improvisational process and are a valid addition.
In conclusion then, this is a record that every pianist will want to own and will certainly continue to yield new gems with every listen. Absolutely fantastic.

This is the most incredible recording - ever produced ...
I'll keep it short:

This is THE most important and incredible CD I've ever bought/heard!

Originally recorded 1978 in Japan - and only available in a very limited Japan LP edition.

Hancock's interpretations of the jazz standards are no less than amazing.

However, his own compositions: Harvest Time, Sonrisa, Manhattan Island and Bluer Otani are AWESOME!

This is a MUST HAVE CD - thank god for the 2004 CD release, digitally re-mastered - does pay a little more respect to Herbie Hancock and this fairly unknown/underexposed masterpiece.

More melodic, jazzy and floating than Jarret will ever be.

Listen for yourself and learn!

Herbie Hancock - a true genius on The Piano...