Piano, Organ, Synth, Electric Piano, etc.

These 2 long-time friends have been THE best keyboardists of their generation. But in another even match-up, who is the master of the keyboards:



OR



REMEMBER: Take all fo their jazz, funk, rock, & pop masterpieces into account.

um...uh..eh..don't make me choose!

smellmyfunk said:

Finally, I created a match-up of 2 real keyboard ICONS!!!!

hm...don't want to sound arrogant, but to me it seems a bit odd to say the least to compare these to.

H.H is one of the best pianists ever. You cannot compare Stevie to him. That is like comparing Prince on the guitar to George Benson, Paco De Lucia or Allan Holdsworth. In sane IMO

Stevie and Prince are musical geniouses but if you're talking jazz piano with mad improvisation etc compare Herbie to someone like Chick Corea

manthevan said:

Don't worry. Chick Corea got next!

I see that some people are afraid of THIS thread!

This is a tough one as I only have a few Herbie albums and am not that familiar with his skill level, and, as I mentioned in the prince thread, I don't think Stevie shows off his soloing skills very much on album and I haven't seen too much footage of him live. I have heard that Stevie is in league with some of the jazz masters on the keys though. I think I'd give Herbie the benefit of the doubt if it came to a vote, but if one factored Stevie's pioneering creativity with and humanization of synthesizers, Stevie would win.

Of course Herbie Hancock wins, he's a pure jazz pianist, and maybe the greatest ever...

Stevie is a master of keyboards...

Two different worlds...

Herbie.

krayzie said:

...except that both of these guy use synthesizers!

And keep in mind that Herbie did get called out by jazz purists because of it.

Herbie.


...

People...Please! As GREAT as Steveland Morris is, Herbie was part of the GREATEST Jazz combo in history with Ron Carter, Wayne Shorter, Tony Williams, and some guy on trumpet

For goodness sakes, get thee to a Wrecka stow and purchase the following Herbie albums: Inventions and Dimensions, Headhunters, Man Child, Speak Like a Child, and Thrust.

Dammit's a draw. However, the only edge Steve has on Herbe is expereince being that he was a child prodigy.
[Edited 8/28/05 17:11pm]

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

Bernie would win hands down b/c he has the edge of the Funk on his side and I mean some strong Funk at that .

MadameS said:

Ms Legs is that you? If so welcome back, we missed u! If not please excuse...

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

Oh . Many people think I am but I'm not.

TonyVanDam said:

Damn. Now these are getting dangerous.

Given Herbie's jazz background, you gotta give it to him, but Stevie is a great player.

After a certain level, it's hard to give anything more than an opinion based upon personal preference. Very few of us can understand music on their level. It's like reading the disseration of a Steven Hawking or a Richard Feynman. Can't get passed even the titles!

I'm stunned by some of the replies on this thread. Stevie is my man, he is bigger than Herbie in my book...but please: NOT ON THE KEYBOARDS/PIANO. Herbie is one of the most respected jazz musicians ever. Do you guys even know what it takes to improvise on the Herbie type of chord progressions at the level of Hancock?

I have heard Stevie played Giant Steps at the Stockholm jazzfestival at Stadion last year and he was mad, unbelievable compared to any composer/vocalist/artist/instrumentalist in the pop and soulgenre. I was completely amazed.

But dear friends, don't ever compare that to the likes of Hancock, Keith Jarret, Chick Corea...they are pure top level jazzpianists.

Herbs.

manthevan said:

REMEMBER: Take all fo their jazz, funk, rock, & pop masterpieces into account.[/quote]

After a certain level, it's hard to give anything more than an opinion based upon personal preference. Very few of us can understand music on their level. It's like reading the disseration of a Steven Hawking or a Richard Feynman. Can't get passed even the titles![/quote]

I have to disagree with that statement - as a musician myself, there are certain obvious conclusions that one can take/understand about musical skill. Herbie Hancock is one of the most technically competent piano players/keyboardists, period. He has demonstrated this time and again, going back to the Miles Davis days. Stevie Wonder is an amazing keyboardist in his own right, but has never demonstrated the kind of dexterity, harmonically or solo-wise, that Hancock has. (not to say he's not capable - I just don't know of any instances of him doing so). That's just a fact. Same as Steve Vai being an undeniably more technical player than Prince - it's an undisputable fact. Doesn't mean that Prince isn't a great guitarist - of course, he is. It's just a fact.

Music at its best is a seamless celebration of an artist's skillset (playing ability)combined with an assist from the soul (feel). Consequently, it leaves an impression on us that makes for an unforgettable listening experience. I just don't see it as this mythical occurrence, "like reading the disseration of a Steven Hawking or a Richard Feynman."

Anyway, I dig them both - let's enjoy them and celebrate their respective talents. Enough comparisons.