Track Listing

1. Riot
2. Speak Like a Child
3. First Trip
4. Toys
5. Goodbye to Childhood
6. Sorcerer

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #326562 in Music
• Released on: 1990-10-25
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
In the midst of his stint working for Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock released two of his finest albums, 1965's Maiden Voyage and 1968's Speak Like a Child. Though the earlier disc may boast stronger players and more innovative compositions, on Speak Hancock's true lyrical sensibilities come into light. The Carter-penned "First Trip" lets Hancock loose on the ivories, "Goodbye to Childhood" is meditative, and "The Sorcerer"--written by Hancock for Davis himself--swings. Thad Jones on flügelhorn, Peter Phillips on bass trombone, and Jerry Dodgion on alto flute all deliver impressive performances but Hancock--setting a tone for his fusion experiments to follow--steals the show. --James Hendrickson

Customer Reviews

Colorful musical palette
Hancock's Blue Note releases "Maiden Voyage" and Empyrean Isles" rightfully have received more critical attention and acclaim than "Speak Like a Child." Still, he deserves credit with this recording for changing up his approach, broadening the sound and weaving more colors into the tapestry.

Where "Maiden Voyage" and "Empyrean Isles" provided major forums for the horn players -- Freddie Hubbard on both and George Coleman on "Isles" -- Hancock uses Thad Jones, Jerry Dodgion and Peter Phillips exclusively to add depth to the band's sound on "Child." This approach succeeds nicely for the most part, particularly on "Riot," which Hancock had contributed while with Miles Davis. Herbie also takes fleet, satisfying solos on "Toys" and "First Trip," a Ron Carter composition.

My only complaint is that on occasion the arrangements become a bit too pretty for my taste and the solos drift a bit, losing their edge. It's nowhere Muzak, but on the title cut, for example, and sections of "Goodbye to Childhood," the sound is a bit tepid, with blurred horn lines and not particularly inspired (for Hancock) piano.

If you're building a Hancock discography that includes his jazz material (pre-"Headhunters," in other words), this is a good addition, but it's not quite must-have.

Beautiful, excellent classic.
This is one of the best jazz albums of all time, and one of the most beautiful. The expanded group is used for lovely shadings and colors, and the compositions and playing are all just first rate. Special, and belongs in every collection.

Beautiful songs
Herbie Hancock is almost always good, and almost always unpredictable. After the straight and funky Cantaloupe Island this album leans toward a more ethereal feel, creating jazz soundscapes and demonstrating what can be done with fine jazz orchestrating. On this CD, Herbie Hancock is on par with Gil Evans regarding harmonies, but definitely plays the piano more skilfully!