New York's Finest Session Players!
Anthony Accordino | Massapequa Park, New York United States | 07/17/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The jazz/rock fusion group Stuff was a collection of New York's finest studio musicians, who were constantly in demand to play back-up to some of the biggest names in the music industry. Steve Gadd, Gordon Edwards, Cornell Dupree, along with Chris Parker, and the late Richard Tee and Eric Gale, when not backing up the likes of Grover Washington, Paul Simon, Joe Cocker, Aretha Franklin, etc, were busy making albums of their own. They played all over the world, and were especially popular in Japan. Their brand of high octane Jazz/rock fusion was one of a kind. This latest release "Stuff, Live In Montreux", was recorded during 1976, and finds the band in fine form, as they rip up the joint, with some explosive instrumentals like their signature song "Foots", "How Long Will It Last", "Signed Sealed Delivered", and "Stuff's Stuff". At the time they were backing and touring with Joe Cocker, so you have a kick-butt funkified version of "Feelin Alright", and a beautiful take on "You Are So Beautiful". The guitar work of Cornell Dupree and Eric Gale is something to behold. The driving rhythm section of Richard Tee's piano, and Steve Gadds drums come off like a machine gun in overdrive. Big Gordon Edwards as seen on the companion DVD[also highly recommended], is the man in charge , as he leads the group through a set that is truly memorable for its intensity as well as it's soft overtones, that mix and match the evening to perfection. This is the release that Stuff fans have been longing for, as well as any Jazz/fusion fan. If this release doesn't get you to jump up off your chair, nothing will, as this collection shows off the talent of a bunch of friends, who could jam with the best of them. I highly recommend both this CD and the companion DVD, to one and all, who enjoy well played music with a great feeling. Finally, this release is a testament to the talents of the late Richard Tee and Eric Gale, whose keyboard and guitar playing were heard by an entire generation of music lovers during the seventies and eighties,"
A great moment in the history of jazz/rock/funk/fusion or wh
Christopher Douglas | Fort Worth, TX | 07/28/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been a fan of the group Stuff almost as long as I have been a fan of drummer Steve Gadd. The group's performance on the DVD/CD is top notch. Here we see some of the top session players of the 60s 70s and 80s all coming together to create something very special and for this to be recorded at the height of the bands chemistry is simply a musical blessing. Stuff had the uncanny ability to bring people together with vastly different musical tastes and show them all that truth, honesty and talent have to be recognized. If you enjoy rock, funk, jazz, fusion or simply great music you will love this."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1