Live at Montreux 1996 [DVD] [2009] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

There's no doubt that Wayne Shorter is one of the most interesting artists in jazz, always probing as a composer and an improviser. This DVD is subtitled "Live at Montreaux 1996", but the "bonus tracks", recorded at Montreaux in 1991 and 1992, are every bit as thrilling to watch and hear.

The 1996 band includes jim Beard on keyboards, David Gilmore on guitar, Alfonso Johnson on bass and Rodney Holmes at the drums. Five glittering compositions and Wayne Shorter's always surprising improvisations are once again the high point. Beard's and Gilmore's inventions support, and the rhythm section is solid, but it's Wayne Shorter that provides the energy, as the listener waits to hear what he'll say next. The man was and is a treasure.

For my money, the two bonus track bands that play two compositions each are even more interesting, in no small part because each features Wayne Shorter's longtime collaborator, Herbie Hancock. The 1991 group includes Stanley Clark at the top of his game on acoustic bass and Shorter's Weather Report cohort Omar Hakim on drums. While Omar Hakim seems a bit ill-suited for this music, Stanley Clark is wonderful here, and Herbie Hancock is superb, especially as a soloist. "Footprints" is one of Shorter's most-often performed compositions, but this version starts off almost unrecognizable, then shifts to a half-time funk feel before finally reaching it's more familiar 6/8. Shorter's final solo chorus is particularly wonderful, as is Hancock's following turn.

The 1992 band belongs, at least in part, to the great Tony Williams. He's fierce behind his familiar big yellow Gretsch kit, alternating cymbal washes with explosions of tom-toms and snare. This band includes Wallace Roney on trumpet, and he plays well. Ron Carter is Ron Carter, as good a bassist as there ever was, and very good here. Once again, Herbie Hancock is superb.

The second great Miles Davis Quintet set a standard for musical improvisation that has never been exceeded, in my opinion. Wayne Shorter was integral to that effort, and his recordings before and after, particularly on Blue Note and with Weather Report, are among the best compositional and improvisational jazz ever. Get this DVD to watch and listen to a master, supported by great jazz musicians.

The performance here is a very good one, but a bit tame for what Wayne was capable of - no small wonder, as it's comprised of his Grammy award winning cd, 'High Life' (which should be a clue to devoted fans - if it was more of what we've come to expect from Wayne, it would have been totally ignored by the Grammy voters and the public in general, unfortunately). It's one of his most listener-friendly recordings, not that there's anything wrong with that, especially if you expect to eat regularly and keep a roof over your head. Despite what I've said, the music and performance are thoroughly enjoyable.

The backing band is solid and supportive, but not capable of pushing or propelling Wayne into a sweat. The remarkable thing is that regardless, we eagerly await every breath, sound, bleat, bark or singularly superlative solo he always delivers without effort or deliberation. He was and still is a force of nature to be reckoned with in the pantheon of jazz lions and eternal legends, and there are too precious few documents of his live work available for those who understand and appreciate what contributions he's made to the instruments he plays and the history of jazz. I, for one, am eternally grateful. It's great to see Alphonso Johnson in the line-up; he's always been a favorite of mine and deserved more widespread recognition, but Jaco hit the scene a while later and stole his thunder. Most folks don't realize that half of 'Black Market' was played by Alphonso, and Jaco finished the recording; too often I've run into people who think its all Jaco's work.

The bonus material is what makes this one mandatory - the inclusion of two tracks from '91 with Herbie Hancock, Stanley Clarke and Omar Hakim are cool just because of the rare blending of players; but I have to admit, Omar almost ruins 'Footprints' completely by screwing up the rhythm, time and feel of the song. I'm a huge fan of Omar's, having seen him with Weather Report on three occasions and another four with Sting, but his uncomfortable awkwardness with playing this signature is noteworthy, for all the wrong reasons. A bad night, I guess, it's not like he couldn't cut it - he's played infinitely more complex stuff regularly. Herbie and Stanley steal the show.

But it's the last two tracks that make me feel like a kid on Christmas morning - the reuniting of Wayne, Ron Carter, Herbie and the incomparable Tony Williams with Wallace Roney performing Wayne's 'Pinocchio' and Tony's 'Pee Wee' from the Miles-era Quintet days that are the most outstanding tracks offered here. In my opinion, there was no greater rhythm section than Ron, Herbie and Tony, not before, not since. Every player shines like a freshly-waxed floor, and Tony's playing is devastating, as is Herbie's soloing - these guys astound me every time I hear them paired. They play off each other remarkably, as though they were having a conversation.

Great stuff, worthy of repeated viewings, if only for the bonus tracks, though it's all good - if you're still reading, you need this one right away. It's a great companion piece to the 'Santana / Shorter' dvd, which I assume you already own. No? then get on the beam, my friend, you won't be sorry you did.

Great stuff from one of our favorite jazz artist. Love how Wayne has no issues with playing fusion. Killer performance from the 1996 band. Great Drummer, and guitarist. Love the presentation. Oh and Waynes old buddy Alphonso Johnson on bass. Wayne Shorter's High Life that is live.