November 2000

Chick Corea
Solo Piano: Originals
Stretch

By Larry Appelbaum

Chick Corea chose to record a two-volume solo piano project last year during a tour of Scandinavia and Japan. Each concert consisted of standards in the first half and originals in the second. The disc of originals includes the inevitable workouts on "Spain," and "Armando's Rhumba," alongside a series of charming improvisations based on themes suggested by the audience, a pair of beautifully sculpted Scriabin Preludes and a mind-bending prepared piano version of "Children's Song #12."