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SPEAK LIKE A CHILD

Herbie Hancock

Jazz Rock/Fusion


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Herbie Hancock Speak Like A Child album cover
4.04 | 55 ratings | 3 reviews | 22% 5 stars

Excellent addition to any
prog rock music collection

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Studio Album, released in 1968

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Riot (4:40)
2. Speak Like a Child (7:51)
3. First Trip (6:02)
4. Toys (5:53)
5. Goodbye To Childhood (7:07)
6. The Sorcerer (5:37)

Total time 37:10

Bonus tracks on 2005 remaster:
7. Riot (1st alternate take) (4:55)
8. Riot (2nd alternate take) (4:40)
9. Goodbye To Childhood (alternate take) (5:50)

Line-up / Musicians

- Herbie Hancock / piano

With:
- Thad Jones / fluegelhorn
- Jerry Dodgion / alto flute
- Peter Philips / bass trombone
- Ron Carter / bass
- Mickey Roker / drums

Releases information

Originally recorded on March 6th (1-3,7,8) and 9th (4-6,9), 1968 at the Van Gelder Studio, New Jersey.

Artwork: David Bythewood (photo)

LP Blue Note ‎- BST 84279 (1968, US)

CD Blue Note ‎- CDP 7 46136 2 (1987, US)
CD Blue Note ‎- 7243 8 64468 2 4 (2005, US) 24-bit remaster by Rudy Van Gelder with 3 bonus tracks

Thanks to clarke2001 for the addition
and to Quinino for the last updates
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HERBIE HANCOCK Speak Like A Child ratings distribution


4.04
(55 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(22%)
22%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(53%)
53%
Good, but non-essential (20%)
20%
Collectors/fans only (4%)
4%
Poor. Only for completionists (2%)
2%

HERBIE HANCOCK Speak Like A Child reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by Easy Money
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin
5 stars Somewhere in between his high profile stint with Miles Davis and the formation of his experimental Sextet, Herbie Hancock found time to record this beautiful documentation of what an incredible piano player he had become. I love the music on here, it tends to be relaxed and 60s cool, but at the same time very abstract and intellectual, it is the ultimate in pre-hippie hipster music, lounge music for the swinger who has Sarte on his coffee table instead of Playboy. This was recorded before Herbie decided to dive headlong into electronic keyboards and his piano playing is exquisite. As usual, his harmonies fall somewhere between Debussy and Bill Evans, and his soft touch is used to full expression on these dreamy pastel like tunes.

Although most of the tunes on here fit the previously described laid back mood, a couple tunes break the mold a bit. Album opener Riot is a bit agitated and features a fairly strong piano solo, but not as strong as the song title might suggest. The Ron Carter penned First Trip is a throwback to Hancock's early 60s bluesy hard bop roots, but most everything else on here maintains a more impressionistic tone.

Although there are three horn players on here, none of them ever solo, instead they orchestrate the melody and occasionally add color to Herbie's tonal explorations. The arrangements used with this small ensemble are incredible, somehow Hancock uses clever voicings to make them sound like a small orchestra. Scoring for this threesome will pay off for Hancock when he hires a similar horn section for his Sextet and combines his sense of orchestration with electronics for an even larger tonal palette.

If you like really good piano playing, and who doesn't, Herbie is at the peak of his game here. His inventive chord substitutions, lush harmonies, precise rhythms and ability to focus and build long solos put him at the very top in the world of jazz fusion and progressive rock pianists. This album is one of a kind, abstract futuristic lounge music for hipsters in any era, even ones still to come.

Review by snobb
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Late 60-s and one of the last Herbie's post-bop album. He played with Miles Davis for some years yet, so he 'd bring some relaxed atmosphere, melodic compositions, but quite complex piano under the skin.

All the musicians on support are competent, and build a great back-up sound to Hancock piano, but generally it's his album. Possibly, still a bit conservative for late 60-s, but great example of Hancock piano playing.

Pleasant, quality and interesting album, still with no traces of even early jazz fusion though. Great album for jazz (post-bop) lovers, everyone expecting Hancock unique experimental fusion works should search for a bit later releases.

Latest members reviews

3 stars Hancock's rising star rose in the first 60's half when he became part of the Miles Davis Quintet followed early on by high-quality solo albums. This effort showcases Hancock's advanced post-bop melodics and trying to break the conventional 60's formula however staying firmly in the post-bop st ... (read more)

Report this review (#2992266) | Posted by sgtpepper | Saturday, February 17, 2024 | Review Permanlink

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