In conjunction with the 100th anniversary in 1998 of George Gershwin's birth, Herbie Hancock put out "Gershwin's World" (Verve) on which he had the temerity to update Gershwin. I say if anybody has the credentials, musicality and versatility to update Gershwin, it's Herbie Hancock and "Gershwin's World," which I bought this summer and gave its second listen the other day, is Exhibit A.
From the modernistic take on "It Ain't Necessarily So," to having Joni Mitchell Sing "The Man I Love," to rendering "St. Louis Blues" as a funky romp with Stevie Wonder playing the harmonica, scatting and singing (Joni and Stevie contribute to a not-your-father's version of "Summertime," too) this CD is a work of art.
And then there's Herbie's version of the second movement of "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in G," which is in here because Ravel dug and used elements of Gershwin the way Gershwin employed jazz elements. A stunning disk (some people rate it Hancock's masterwork) with an all-star cast that includes James Carter, Chick Corea, Kenny Garrett and Wayne Shorter, among others.
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