Return To Forever: The Mothership Returns

[CJ Shearn]

http://return2forever.com/mothership-returns/

Musically, no new material, but this is the touring lineup with Ponty, Gambale, Corea, Clarke and White.

Track List

Disc 1

1. Medieval Overture

2. Señor Mouse

3. The Shadow of Lo / Sorceress

4. Renaissance

Disc 2

1. After the Cosmic Rain

2. The Romantic Warrior

3. Spain

4. School Days

5. Beyond the Seventh Galaxy

Bonus DVD

1. Inside the Music (documentary)

2. After the Cosmic Rain (performance)

3. The Romantic Warrior (performance)

4. The Story of Return to Forever (sneak peek movie trailer)

[bertrand]

Special guest appearance by George Clinton!

Bertrand.

[CJ Shearn]

LOL! I was thinking of that with the album title.

[tranemonk]

Looking forward to this one... Already preordered. I'm particularly interested in preview of the movie...

[CJ Shearn]

Looking forward to this one... Already preordered. I'm particularly interested in preview of the movie...

If you have "Returns" the double CD and blu ray or DVD, there was definitely a shift to really making something new with these tunes , really expanding on them nicely. "The Anthology" is great too, but RTF live is where it's at and looks like they'll be nice long versions on here. Good news is both CD's comprise the complete tour setlist for this new album.

Edited May 29, 2012 by CJ Shearn

[tranemonk]

I've got Returns the CD but not the DVD. How's the DVD different? Different tunes? More?

Looking forward to this one... Already preordered. I'm particularly interested in preview of the movie...

If you have "Returns" the double CD and blu ray or DVD, there was definitely a shift to really making something new with these tunes , really expanding on them nicely. "The Anthology" is great too, but RTF live is where it's at and looks like they'll be nice long versions on here. Good news is both CD's comprise the complete tour setlist for this new album.

[CJ Shearn]

The DVD is the Montreux show, and along with the CD you have the complete show. The Blu Ray is stunning. That and the PMG's "Way Up" are my two favorite blu ray discs.

[CJ Shearn]

Received it yesterday, GREAT album

[tranemonk]

You are right.. it's fantastic. I'm really hoping that they release a Bluray of a full concert....

Received it yesterday, GREAT album

[CJ Shearn]

I think its one of the best mixed things I've heard in a long time soundwise, but I think what they do with the well worn tunes is great. Chick is really following Miles' idea of opening things up improvisationally in a different way each time, I mean the "Senor Blues" bit had me laughing so so hard. "Dayride" from Montreux is a bonus track on the Japanese edition, but I'm glad we have the full show from (I think) Austin Texas on the album. This might be controversial for some fans but Gambale is a better fit for that music than Al was b/c he plays with more feeling and less machine driven chops..... JLP is a great addition, and I think this and "Returns" are both valuable documents. I prefer this album over the studio stuff, honestly.

[JETman]

I think its one of the best mixed things I've heard in a long time soundwise, but I think what they do with the well worn tunes is great. Chick is really following Miles' idea of opening things up improvisationally in a different way each time, I mean the "Senor Blues" bit had me laughing so so hard. "Dayride" from Montreux is a bonus track on the Japanese edition, but I'm glad we have the full show from (I think) Austin Texas on the album. This might be controversial for some fans but Gambale is a better fit for that music than Al was b/c he plays with more feeling and less machine driven chops..... JLP is a great addition, and I think this and "Returns" are both valuable documents. I prefer this album over the studio stuff, honestly.

I'm glad you mentioned Gambale. I have to admit that when I first heard that he was the choice to fill the guitar chair, I had my doubts, based on his playing in the Electric band (or maybe based more on THE MUSIC played by that band), that he could hold his own. I have to say, after listening to and watching him in this setting, that he is indeed a fantastic player who displayed both great chops and great taste on this tour. I love it when THIS happens!

I agree that Ponty is also magnificent here. Another musician I've gained a newfound respect for.

[CJ Shearn]

Yeah, the Elektric Band stuff is hit or miss, the Montreux 2004 DVD the best part is the second half. I never really liked the Acoustik band stuff much except "Live from Blue Note Tokyo is great, as is the DVD from Chick's 60th Birthday celebration. I think what Gambale does in RTF is very tasteful, because it's easy in a band like this, even as these guys are older, to go overboard with the chops, and I think Dimeola tried to assert his dominance a bit more than Chick and those guys would like and that's why he was axed. For a guy that wanted the RTF reunion so bad, he sure bad mouthed everyone after the tour. But that's Al, lol. I appreciate with all thye downloads, the package they put together.

[JETman]

Yeah, the Elektric Band stuff is hit or miss, the Montreux 2004 DVD the best part is the second half. I never really liked the Acoustik band stuff much except "Live from Blue Note Tokyo is great, as is the DVD from Chick's 60th Birthday celebration. I think what Gambale does in RTF is very tasteful, because it's easy in a band like this, even as these guys are older, to go overboard with the chops, and I think Dimeola tried to assert his dominance a bit more than Chick and those guys would like and that's why he was axed. For a guy that wanted the RTF reunion so bad, he sure bad mouthed everyone after the tour. But that's Al, lol. I appreciate with all thye downloads, the package they put together.

I heard the Al didn't like all the solo features on the Returns tour, and also that he was profoundly critical of the scientology beliefs that Chick and Stanley adhere to.

I actually think that the criticism of the whole "Malmsteen" aspect of DiMeola's playing is overdone. He can be quite tasteful when he wants to be.

[CJ Shearn]

Stanley had left that church I thought, but I guess he had reconciled with that belief system. I agree with you that Al can be tasteful, I feel sometimes, with all the technology he uses at times like the Roland pick up on the acoustic, unlike Metheny, when he uses things like that I don't know if the musical goal for me is all that clear. The only Al I really enjoy is with RTF.

[JETman]

Stanley had left that church I thought, but I guess he had reconciled with that belief system. I agree with you that Al can be tasteful, I feel sometimes, with all the technology he uses at times like the Roland pick up on the acoustic, unlike Metheny, when he uses things like that I don't know if the musical goal for me is all that clear. The only Al I really enjoy is with RTF.

In the booklet that comes with the set, Stanley offers thanks to L. Ron. I just assumed that meant that he is a scientologist.

[Shawn]

Very entertaining album, highly recommended.

[tranemonk]

The scientology stuff doesn't bother me. I know that's Chick's thing. The addition of Ponty really is a kicker for me. I've listened to the thing 2 or 3 times now (which I NEVER do with a new release).

The music is clearly a lot of fun. I completely agree that the live CD is the way to go.

[CJ Shearn]

Stanley had left that church I thought, but I guess he had reconciled with that belief system. I agree with you that Al can be tasteful, I feel sometimes, with all the technology he uses at times like the Roland pick up on the acoustic, unlike Metheny, when he uses things like that I don't know if the musical goal for me is all that clear. The only Al I really enjoy is with RTF.

In the booklet that comes with the set, Stanley offers thanks to L. Ron. I just assumed that meant that he is a scientologist.

He is. He resumed practicing. But yes this music is fun and well engineered.