I’ve been into drummer Joe Chambers lately and picked up a copy of Bobby Hutcherson’s album Total Eclipse. It’s a great album that features Harold Land, Chick Corea, Reggie Johnson and Joe Chambers and I’m glad it was recently reissued.
I’m studying the song Herzog at the moment, which is the first track on Total Eclipse. It’s a complicated head and the solo form is tough until you can hear the chords.
Here’s how the solo section breaks down (in number of measures of 4/4):
8-8-3-3
8-8-3-3
3
Those last 3 bars can also be thought of as 4 bars of 3/4 time, which makes a little more sense harmonically. I’ve seen it written both ways.
The lead sheet is easy to find and is in the standard Real Book and also The New Real Book, Vol. 3.
Live Video Version of Herzog
Here’s a great video I came across of Bobby Hutcherson’s quintet playing live. I’m pretty sure it’s the same concert that’s on the live album called Blow Up, which is hard to find.
There’s not much footage of Joe Chambers, but what is shown is intense. The camera does stay on him during the transition to the piano solo. Watch how masterfully he brings everything down to make a fresh start for Stanley Cowell’s solo.
Bass – Reggie Johnson
Drums – Joe Chambers
Piano – Stanley Cowell
Tenor Saxophone – Harold Land
Vibraphone – Bobby Hutcherson
Recorded July 25, 1969 / Juan-les-Pins