Dave WECKL: Hard Wired CD. Super Jazz Rock / Fusion. Check video

Description

Dave Weckl (born January 8, 1960) is a highly acclaimed jazz fusion drummer. He majored in jazz studies at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. Starting out on the New York fusion scene in the early 1980s, Weckl soon found himself working with artists such as Paul Simon, Madonna, George Benson, Michel Camilo, Robert Plant and Anthony Jackson. His most famous early work though, where his popularity blossomed, was with the Chick Corea Elektric Band from 1985 to 1991.
Weckl spent a total of seven years with Corea, during which he performed on numerous albums and also appeared with Coreas Akoustic Band. He augmented his work with Corea by continuing his session work and appearing often with the GRP All-Star Big Band. In addition, he recorded four albums in 1988 and 1989 with the Manhattan Jazz Quintet. Weckl has also released a series of instructional videotapes, and in 1990, he led his first solo date, Master Plan, for GRP. Heads Up followed in 1992, as well as Hard-Wired in 1994.
After leaving Coreas band, Weckl recorded and toured with guitarist Mike Stern. Under his own name, he has been the leader of ten recordings since 1990.

Dave Weckl Hard-Wired
Label: GRP GRP 97602
Format: CD, Album
Country: Germany
Released: 1994
Genre: Jazz Rock
Style: Fusion
Tracklist:
1 Hard-Wired 4:02
2 Afrique 5:53
3 Dis’ Place This 6:38
4 In Flight 6:11
5 Crazy Horse 5:41
6 Just An Illusion 5:09
7 Wheres Tom? 5:09
8 In The Pocket 5:29
9 Tribute 5:09

Bass Anthony Jackson (tracks: 1, 2, 3,), James Genus (tracks: 5, 6, 7), John Patitucci (tracks: 4, 9)
Bass Jay Oliver (tracks: 8)
Drums Dave Weckl
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Electronic Wind Instrument Steve Tavaglione
Synthesizer, Piano, Organ Jay Oliver
Trumpet Scott Alspach
Written By Dave Weckl & Jay Oliver (tracks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8)
Written-By Jay Oliver (tracks: 9), Jeff Beal (tracks: 7)
Barcode: 11105-9760-2
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5.0 out of 5 stars NOT For Drummers Only,
When you read other reviews (and mine!) just remember the profound musing … opinions are like [anatomical descriptor here]: everyones got one. Now for my second disclaimer: I am a drummer. That said, I enjoy this CD as much for the stellar non-percussion composition and performances as much as I do for the stellar percussion composition and performances.

This CD sizzles. It has some songs on it that could be said to have been written with “pop”y hooks in them, yes. It also has a masterful latin piece (“Dis’ Place This”) with some wild rhythms in it (love that piano part!), whimsical tunes (“Afrique” and “Just an Illusion”), moody songs (“In Flight” and “Wheres Tom?”), jazzy urban grooves (“Crazy Horse” (amazing keyboard work) and “In the Pocket”), and a soulful, somber finish (“Tribute”) with a wonderfully rich piano part (it takes getting through about a minute of muted key tones played to a ride cymbal to get to it) that the sax picks up and follows along with. The entire horn section is well-written and well-played throughout the album.

Weckl definitely gets his time in the spotlight, and NO ONE can do it quite like him. Some of the songs did take a few listens to get into, I admit, but this is now one of my favorite CDs of all time. If you think the samples on Amazon are interesting AT ALL, then BUY IT. I don’t think you’ll feel you wasted any money after only a few plays.
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5.0 out of 5 stars It Gets No Better Than This!,
This is not only my favorite Weckl CD, but one of my favorite CDs of all time. When I heard Weckl with Chicks Electric Band I was blown away at his sound. When I heard his compositions on “Master Plan” with Jay Oliver, I was Floored. I had no idea this guy was as great a composer as he was a drummer! Not only are these guys masters of their instruments, they are also amazing composers. The rhythms, the melodies, the solos, are all beyond incredible. Jay Oliver is simply the best soloist I have ever heard. His ‘mimic guitar’ solo in “Crazy Horse” is the coolest ‘guitar solos’ I have ever heard. Whether you play drums, bass, guitar, keys, sax, horns or just love hearing the finest compositions played by the finest musicians, GET THIS CD! You will be BLOWN AWAY!
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5.0 out of 5 stars A fusion jam!,
Dave Weckl s mood proves his immense talents as a musician with countless skills in this album of jazz-fusion. You should acquire this imaginative album; filled of dynamic creative energy.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing record!,
I’ve listened to this record a thousand times and it just keeps impressing/inspiring me. There are so many complex (in a very musical way) elements in it and I’ve learned a lot, especially rhytmically, from listening to it. Dave has (despite what some critics have said) an amazing feel/groove, and it shows especially on track 8 with a groove that sends chills down the spine!

“Tribute” has a melody line that goes straight into your soul .. truly beautiful and a bit similar to “Country” by Keith Jarret, which also is a fantastic song. A tribute to Jarret maybe?

By the way .. the solo on track 5 is a keyboard solo, not a guitar solo even if it could sound like a guitar 🙂 someone mentioned it here earlier …
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5.0 out of 5 stars Genius!Pure, unadulterated genius!!,
This is a drummers dream! The first 5 tracks are a trip!! Ultra-cool!! Very complex!!! Great fun to listen to!!! This is one CD that you will become addicted to!!! Top-gun percussionism, outrageously searing saxaphones, rail gliding guitar work and unforgettable keyboards,… these guys ARE in a class all by themselves!!! ,… end of story!! JUST GET IT!!
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5.0 out of 5 stars Great music, awesome musicianship.,
I don’t think I have much to say here. This CD was one of the first 80s fusion albums that I heard when I was young. Dave Weckl and co. are just top notch musicians, and it shows on every song here. One song in particular, “Crazy Horse”, has this jaw-dropping guitar solo, I discovered later that it is actually a keyboard solo, totally wicked.
In not so many words, if you’re a fan of Chick Coreas Elektric Band stuff, you’ll love this one.