Returning to Australian shores for the first time in four years, Herbie Hancock exceeded all expectations for an incredible live show. He showcased a lot of songs from his latest release 'The Imagine Project' but also played tracks from the different eras of his extensive career.
On stage by 8pm, Hancock and his band kicked off the show with the jazz fusion track 'Actual Proof' from his 1974 release 'Thrust'. The timing was impeccable, the band showing exceptional skill.
Introducing his latest album 'The Imagine Project', he then announced that he would play John Lennon's 'Imagine' with guest vocalist Kristina Train. Starting out with Herbie on the grand piano the melody of Imagine was not apparent at first, his version of this classic was unlike any other and was an interesting take on the song. Seemingly nervous when she walked onstage, Kristina's voice was powerful and smooth.
Herbie Hancock has always been a technical pioneer and although there was only one live vocalist for the evening, he introduced us to others he brought over on his "hard drive", commenting "... it is 2011, right?". One of those artists being a Mali group, 'Tinariwen'. Hancock joked that "they wear long robes, ride camels in the desert and play electric guitar... Where do they plug in?".
Los Lobos was another band to grace the stage thanks to technology and along with Tinariwen and Kristina Train on vocals, Hancock and his band played a Tinariwen song 'Tamatant Tilay' mixed with Bob Marley's 'Exodus' - a highlight of the show.
Other covers included Bob Dylan's 'The Times They Are A-Changin' and the "Irish portion of the Imagine Project" - a Chieftans song accompanied by Train on violin.
Covering African and other world music, Hancock still brought the funk. Jamming on his Roland AX-Synth keytar, he had an improvised music battle with Genus on bass. Imitating and exceeding each other, this exercise truly demonstrated their musical talent.
Herbie Hancock's songs each have a journey - intense upbeat moments through to more delicate wistful times. If anyone felt lost at any time throughout the show, they weren't the only one, as Hancock introduced a song with "I have no idea what it's called, but here it is."
As the show wound up at 10pm, we were a little unsure if there would be an encore, but sure enough Herbie and his band reappeared onstage for an encore which included a great rendition of 'Chameleon'. The crowd erupted in applause and a standing ovation as Hancock, Genus, Lawrence, Train and the entire audience danced to the revolutionary 1983 track, 'Rockit'.
He was a child prodigy, a close friend of Miles Davis and is a legend in jazz and music history, though Herbie Hancock still seemed so humble and thankful to be playing to packed out audiences around the world.
If you get a chance to see this show for yourself, don't miss out.
