Return To Forever - Song To The Pharoah Kings

Where Have I Known You Before (1974)

[@enkiea8322]

Adam Neely brought me here. Good looking out, Adam.

[@SeanTheDiscoNinja]

He brought me here too, but on a much sadder day. RIP Chick ❤

[@kami2646]

Damn this song hits different after Chick is gone 😕 what a fucking king dude

[@samdelossantos2864]

Dammit. You too!?

[@PedroBerkowPeter]

me too ... a good memory.

[@0w1z85]

What video

[@Tammy-Wammy]

Rest in piece Chick Corea, you absolute fucking Legend.

[@mateuschwarz]

unfortunately, absolute fucking legend is still too little for chick :'( rip

[@pongugy9828]

so sad. He was a god

[@rossalthor]

Tjuice?

[@Burt472]

Was lucky enough to see him in concert here in Italy with a jazz ensemble ( not RTF) in the 80's......

[@KarlJenkings]

FKN AMEN TO THAT MY BROTHER 🙏

[@DaveZiffer]

This is THE tune that changed my life and got me into jazz-fusion.

[@krisansi1835]

Me Too :) !!!

[@petermuller7029]

Romantic Warrior did this too to me.

[@sancho8521]

@@krisansi1835 ...me 3 !

[@jerrycrute1428]

Same

[@alph1057]

When Chris Squire died, Keith Emerson said, “May God rest you in His musical heavens.” Same applies to Chick

[@vincev2926]

The sheer genius of these individuals when they were so young. Amazing concepts and performances! To most out there this may sound of the past, but only those who can truly appreciate it know it wails way into the future.

[@johnbougae8314]

amen!

[@1oolabob]

It's Feb 12, 2021, and I am just discovering this music. Better late than never.

[@WilliamEPoole]

Although "Romantic Warrior" was a big commercial success, this album was better in terms of musical execution.

[@jjemsnd7]

+William E. Poole Totally agree.

[@realredraccoon2115]

+William E. Poole Yeah for the most part. I definitely prefer this album by far but Sorceress and Medieval Overture are the jams.

[@ilovemusic3725]

hitechburg YES!

[@smitskee]

I agree. Love Romantic Warrior, but it's their Jazz Fusion Progressive Rock finally. Has a different vibe. The band was on top, and Chick disbanded it. Bummer.

[@thekout]

Cant aggree.Both albums are epic.

[@techreptdh]

Even in 2013 this music is beyond the grasp of most mortals!!

[@detroiter4eva]

2017 and not much has changed. LOL!

[@gach0]

Artistry in music doesn't have much to do with the times.

[@nathansnyder1595]

2019

[@chrissquire8542]

@@detroiter4eva ...2019, been listening since 1975 ! Rock On....

[@mateuschwarz]

@@chrissquire8542 Its 2020, covid changed things a lot, but this music is still beyond the grasp

[@leonguisburg413]

the tune that "sealed the deal" for me when it came to jazz/rock/fusion for me in the summer of 1975

[@sancho8521]

... I concur, been listening myself since then. Never get tired of this. Me & homeboy call it "PerfectMusic"....

[@ronnieb1958]

1974 high school 11th grade. Hooked for life!

[@vojislavsavkov7517]

Yes...I was 13 and it was this song to start a day..❤ R.I.P. dear MASTER...

[@DariaRock1]

My dad's music taste brought me here... dad showed me Return to Forever on vinyl when I was a teen in the mid 2000s... thank you dad!

[@timothywilson2589]

Has to be one of the greatest albums ever made

[@johnbougae8314]

indeed it is

[@scottlichtenstein8615]

I can't help getting tears in my eyes whenever I hear it, it's so beautiful.

[@gravityalwayswins1434]

LENNY WHITE!!!!

[@LordGrendel]

One of my favorite bass lines starts at 11:22, Stanley Clarke does not disappoint!

[@jerryvivanco4352]

Stanley Clarke is......just..... BURNING!!!!!!!!

[@titanhasfreedus8059]

my favorite Clarke bass line is on the track of the duel of the jester and the tyrant, from the romantic warrior album...there's some damn bass lines in there

[@nsandor72]

I have been listening this masterpiece for 30 years and it is just better and better as the years go on! How can anyone play such a level of musicality. A band where Al is the weakest player....

[@Bix12]

" A band where Al is the weakest player..." You hit the nail on the head, friend....that comment illustrates just how ludicrous a level these cats played at....

[@sancho8521]

@@Bix12 ... I wouldn't exactly call him the weakest player. Remember, Al was like 20 yrs old & Chick supposedly wrote everyone's part. Look at what Al has accomplished. I have seen them/him a total of 8 times; Al is a Master in his own right....

[@smugler1]

@@sancho8521 i believe that's his point, a Master in his own right is the weakest link. That's how amazing everyone in the band is.

[@seukfuhi]

At 3:56, a gate through space and time opens up. Shivers down my spine each time I've been listening to this for the past 20 years.

[@timtooker8332]

Yep. T

[@lsnoopyq]

RTF is one of the greatest fusion bands of all time! I saw them at the Philharmonic in NYC in '73 then again at the Hollywood Bowl in the early eighties. Amazing!

[@oRuTRa45]

+Ronald Louther I'm a big RTF fan, but I wasn't alive when they made this music. So you know I jumped on it when they reunited and toured back in '08, and this is one of the songs I got to see them perform live. Something I thought would never happen. A dream come true.

[@terrilhargrovejones]

oRuTRa45 Yes son. Bow down to the Queen that is "Mom Dukes" for that ticket, lmao....was glad to put you on. I enjoyed the show as well. 😉

[@clockmaster77]

Ronald Louther I saw them at the Beacon Theater in NYC 1976 right after the release of the Romantic Warrior album, they performed the album in it’s entirety, including Lenny White on the alarm clock! ⏰ awesome group

[@raulmacias1311]

Ronald Louther There's a book on the Newport Jazz Festival and they have the complete list of all the concerts, dates and venues. I've seen the entry for the Philharmonic Hall Concert and it was part of the Newport Jazz Festival in '73. You were so fortunate to see Bill Connors on Guitar that night! James "Mingo" Lewis was on Congas/Percussion and Lenny White, Chick's original choice, on Drums. Steve Gadd joined Return To Forever temporarily because Lenny White was committed to Latin/Jazz/Rock band Azteca. Gadd hated touring and desired to go back to doing recording sessions. When Azteca disbanded, White took over on Drums!

[@sancho8521]

... one of THE Greatest Bands Ever! Period. !

[@gravityalwayswins1434]

stunning musicianship.

[@phillybass101]

I lived with this album when I was a freshman in college. Love this whole album

[@cletejones]

So did I..I'm 63 now...

[@leonguisburg413]

When l look back---a friend of mine had this album & Aerosmith's "Toys In The Attic" & the Brecker Brother's "Sneakin Up Behind You"---all released that year ('75). Three genre's of music and we listened to all of them!!! It was the way it was. I left and enlisted in the U S Navy shortly thereafter. Wow my youth!!!

[@yelnats21]

Wow, you’re so right! I had all three on 8 track, I can still hear you made me love you lovely lady, this in its entirety and sweet emotion in my head!

[@ittainativ6606]

R.I.P. to a legend

[@tchecky444]

When you return to forever, you can't cross death... Thank U immortal spirit ∞

[@ph.mountain]

I wanna give this composition 100 thumbs up.

[@swanstevenson822]

This tune is an absolute masterpiece. I have loved this album since I bought it on vinyl when it was first released. Cannot believe we can lose someone like Chick. He is in my heart forever.

[@danielbaker934]

...AbsolutelyFuckingPerfectMusic!.....

[@richgra1]

+Daniel Baker Ditto!

[@vladimirflorek1356]

...AbsolutelyFucking YES!!!

[@magnoliapugana]

Definitely my favourite Corea's piece out of all his vast repertoire.

[@danielbaker934]

...and just Listen how Lenny holds it all together, WOW!....

[@magnoliapugana]

Full of unbeatable highlights.

[@warrenchew1667]

I seen RTF live in 76 at the Spectrum performing Romantic Warrior it was best concert I ever been to outstanding Musicians

[@thomasbernabeo9690]

Took 3 friends to they're first RTF concert at the old Palladium in NYC. Circa 1980 RTFs first reunion. We were strictly Sabbath Zeppelin Who Steppenwolf etc. I branched out to Fusion being that I played guitar. To this day they say best concert they were ever at!!!!

[@rickymurray4868]

one of the great musicians,does not get the recognition he deserves.

[@ilovemusic3725]

Anyone who knows anything about jazz knows Chick Corea/Return To Forever. Check out "Virgil" (new). Oh, he got 2015 Grammy.

[@yelnats21]

Says who?. It’s pretty unanimous that he’s widely know as God

[@stretch54]

Chick has always been one of the truly great Rhodes players and his solo starting at 10.30 on this is one of the best you will ever hear. When you have a bass player 'hammering" it out like Stanley behind it makes it even better.

[@liquidmotion09]

I think Herbie had the best tone, Headhunters and Thrust but I cant disagree with you

[@miguederas1458]

Mr.Chick Korea with this album gave us like “ a taco de oreja “ Best music ever.... thank you

[@timtooker8332]

Magical. T

[@teggie6853]

The Pharoah kings would be honored with this tribute...

[@Yarsh52]

I am a younger fan of Return to Forever. I had the chance to see them in 2011 while they were touring with Frank Gambale on guitar and Jean-Luc Ponty as a guest musician. At the time, I was barely acquainted Return to Forever, only being familiar with some of 'Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy' and 'Romantic Warrior.' Coming back around and finally listening to 'Where Have I Known You Before' gives me a whole new appreciation for not just Return to Forever, but the individual musicians involved. 'Song to the Pharaoh Kings' is the perfect punctuation to this cosmic album!

[@jasonschoenfeld1250]

You really cannot go much farther than this badass band. Thank you universe for letting me see these 4 geniuses live. RIP, Chick Corea1

[@excusemeIhaveapinkbeard]

So much talent in one band. Unbeleivable. RIP Chick.

[@rogerlegends166]

That is some of the finest stylophone playing I've ever heard .

[@beboprichie]

RIP Mr Chick Corea & thank you very much for the music of my youth Was 10 yo when I was introduced to RTF & fell in love with jazz fusion from the start Sorry I never ever got to tell you in person how much your music means to me but I hope you can see my comment somehow 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@keithbell6785]

RTF on top of its game!

[@michaeljamesca]

the best concert of my life and I've been to well over 1,000 concerts.

[@Anders2112]

I just learned this was the first song Al Di Meola recorded with RTF at 19 (!!) years old.. wow, dude slow down there.. what a genious.

[@h2oproductions897]

In Al di meola's terms , he was the best sightreading guitar player in New Jersey at the time, so he nailed everything chick and stanley threw at him, and from there, his career and beard exploded !

[@edgarlissovetz9657]

Ces mecs sont géniaux, j'écoutais cette musique quand j'étais ado...et encore aujourd'hui j'en ai les larmes aux yeux, à bientôt 60 ans....pour moi ils sont immortels ..merci à vous tous

[@jean-claudeseehafer7753]

moi aussi j'ecoutais cette musique à 17 ans et maintenant 57 ans

[@IronmanG84]

I was in 7th grade when I bought this album,......as a matter of fact, I got it the second time on 8-track!

[@1000kdg]

Man. I remember when I first heard this in the 70's. I said Miles' musical kids are clowning with this fusion. So so awesome and full of feeling of life

[@WillieEWoof]

The best jazz and rock fusion music, there is! It reminds me of the time I was young. That was about 300 years ago! :)

[@nsandor72]

If anyone would like to play the middle (4/4) theme starts from 7:38, the chords are: Esmaj7/Dmaj7/Cmaj7/Bsus. Great fun to play it on the piano as well! I have almost all the notes of this song except some part of the crazy solos.

[@rcbennett6592]

Actually it's Eb/Eb, D/G, C/A, Bsus/B. All triads in the R hand with Bb, A, G, Gb in the upper voicing.

[@jerryvivanco4898]

ACTUALLY both of you are correct depending on the "speed" of the turntable or whatever device you happen to be listening to. Just a 1/2 step off........... But I'm sure BOTH of you came to that conclusion!

[@kazkylheku1221]

@@rcbennett6592 Unless I'm bizarrely wrong, a C/A with a G on top just a straight, uninverted Am7.

[@kazkylheku1221]

@@jerryvivanco4898 No 1/2 step off! I think the "Es" in nsandor's "Esmaj7" is actually E flat. See here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_note#Accidentals Quote: 'Another style of notation, rarely used in English, uses the suffix "is" to indicate a sharp and "es" (only "s" after A and E) for a flat, e.g., Fis for F♯, Ges for G♭, Es for E♭. This system first arose in Germany and is used in almost all European countries whose main language is not English, Greek, or a Romance language'

[@WilliamSmith-hz2jl]

Damn this song still moves me internally soulfully and magically as if I was hearing this again as a teenager now Im almost 69 RIP Chick RTF was fire 🔥 because of you 🎶💪🏿👌🏾✌🏿

[@parmec1875]

R.I.P. Chick, really Musician for my mind and my heart!

[@timothywilson2589]

a total favorite

[@ExProforlife]

Holy crap! Majestic!

[@hitechburg]

Fusion CLASSIC!

[@MPRacing100]

this one really takes be back this is the album that put in touch with real FUSION JAZZ

[@damaster720]

Oh my days.

[@virgilrw]

I LOVE THIS SONG!!!

[@deweya.johnson5179]

RTF has that TIGHT execution rarely found then or now. LOVE this MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@davidpggarrett]

Rest In Peace Chick... we'll always remember you in your incredible music

[@Bix12]

this particular track is a behemoth!! some serious transcendence going on here

[@winstonsizemore2385]

Hats off to the Gracious humble Virtuoso that Chick was. A true musical Genius!

[@garycooper4313]

Was able to see RTF in Bowling Green University-AWESOME!

[@rcbennett6592]

Me & musician friends drove from SD to the Troubadour to see our idols Chick and RTF only 2 weeks after DiMeola had joined the band. We actually showed up early to see the sound check & they were amazing! A year prior we had seen RTF with Bill Connors at UCSD which was historic looking back. Our jazz/fusion band learned all the songs on Hymn of the 7th Galaxy & played them at the India Street Jazz Festival

[@scottspencer7542]

At 10:30, keyboards begin flying into the Reverb Constellation!

[@jordanrioscreations]

That shit is the best.

[@ogbasedcwizzy4325]

My favorite part of the song!

[@jerryvivanco4898]

Electric Piano Bliss!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Fender Rhodes.....that is)

[@absoluterefusal]

Probably haven't listened to this in nearly 30 years. Still a favorite in virtuosity and style. Thanks for posting.

[@martinbe5111]

Mahavishnu and RTF best fusion bands ever.

[@javieralbertomojicarosado125]

This album changed my mind, just that

[@maathlv]

My ten 10 years older older brother gave this album to me when I was 17 in 1979 as a birthday present. He was like that: "I have heard that music enough, I want to hear something new now." So he gave it away. At first I thought: great, old music from 1972. Then I listened and instantly fell in love with the whole album: Where have I known you before. And especially with this track. And it is still fresh. Just great music and great musicians.

[@JohnnyNation]

Hard to imagine what he went on to that was beyond this !!!###

[@maathlv]

Anyway, he just was like that. I still listen to a lot of the music he gave to me. And think about him then.

[@pacollumbien]

RIP Playful Legend!

[@chrissquire8542]

...Superb album! Absolutely Love the shit outta RTF. Seen them all, once together. Other dimensional. Peace....

[@gregedens1]

I totally agree...I absoulutely LOVE the group "RETURN TO FOREVER"...CHICK COREA AND ALL!!! NUMERO UNO!!!!

[@twilight4192]

That "tinny synth intro"! I just pretend it's Alice Coltrane playing an old Farfisa organ. After that - the Mother-Ship really takes off into the Outer-Limits! Fantastic playing all-around, but for me it's Lenny White's Monstrously Great drumming that fuels the whole Enterprise, like Warp-Drive, and full Photon Torpedos raging! Such an under-rated drummer! I put him up there with Tony Williams, Cobham, John Marshall (Soft Machine), Chester Thompson, and strangely - Phil Collins when he had "Brand X"! Such great Musicianship!

[@magnoliapugana]

+Mark Darnell And Dennis Chambers

[@mikekavanaughdotcom]

+Mark Darnell Lenny White is the greatest drummer I have ever seen live. I saw him in '75 or '76 at Paul's Mall in Boston and sat at the bar about 15 feet from him and higher than the low tables on the floor so I could watch him play. And he looked like he didn't know what he was going to do, with the drumsticks in his fists, tips pointed outward in a V like an old TV antenna sitting on top of the tube. Then the piece would start and all I saw a blur. He moved so fast it looked like liquid movement. It was a band he fronted with 2 lead guitarists just after releasing...Venusian Summers is the album title I think. Absolutely amazing. I saw Cobham around that time at a slightly larger venue and he was great, playing with the largest diameter drums sticks I have ever seen - about the diameter of motorcycle throttle grips. His show was hot too and speed and brute power amazing but not even in the same realm of the Lenny White gig. At least by civilian perspective. I like Thompson & Collins too. Nothing I have heard Tony Williams on has grabbed me but it must have been what I got to hear at the time.

[@trombonemunroe]

+Mark Darnell He sure did some outstanding work on "Bitches' Brew," of which he (along with Chick) was also a part.

[@danielbaker934]

...& Alphonse Mouzon, Neil Peart....

[@RobertLisboa]

Mark Darnell Brand X was a great fusion band.

[@michalkuric5595]

"song" of my life, thank you mr. corea

[@soulfinga100]

Super Hero Music_Blessings Chick. Fly On Brotha!!!

[@britharlem6367]

Return forever

[@scottthepoet9040]

in the Baltimore area there was a place called Painters Mill the premier mid size place to see a show seating 2,300 people a theater in the round where the stage slowly revolved the year was 1974 i was in the tenth grade my oldest brother who was away at collage sent me 4 tickets to this show after see RTF two years earlier and this was the album i saw and it changed my life forever two years later i saw Gil Scot Heron open up for Stanley at the same place saw many a show there and if was really very sad when the place burned down but my memories are still strong and fresh

[@derricksearles610]

All-time fav.

[@michaelbrickley2443]

I will never forget the first time I saw Chick and RTF. Carnegie Hall and No Mystery had just been released. When they played Song to the Pharoahs, Stanley set a device to play a tone, early Digital Sequencer? and walked back to his place onstage. He looked like a Nubian Prince with a long coat and that Alembic Bass….they were HOT that night and when they played No Mystery, Al got a standing ovation for his acoustic guitar solo.

[@davecurtis2395]

When I was in high a school friend of mine who was a complete Metal head brought this in on vinyl for us to play on the turntable in Band class. I got hooked. This whole song went by in a flash on my Walkman. I used to love that jam out of the bass solo landed on those 4 nasty chords. I wore this out. Great stuff. I used to play that jam with my mates in school on the weekends. Thais Chick.

[@juanbadillo9111]

I fully agree with you Mr Pole it is just a master piece in Jazz music.

[@pinkbaron3602]

Damn, listening to this with earbuds... The first part is like half in one ear, half in the other ear. That's crazy

[@jaysondevine1474]

I've been having a blast re-visiting Chick recently, somehow missed this track when I was young. So. Freaking. Good.

[@duanemiddleton9162]

RTF!! What a great band! One of the bands that provided the soundtrack of young adulthood for me. Incredible genius.

[@Jerome_Alary]

Love this !

[@gravityalwayswins1434]

7:20 out. Absolute aural treat.

[@Burt472]

Awesome

[@aryramoncasaizaguirre8625]

Soy del sur de América amante de la música que no tiene límites ni fronteras solo tiene la peculiaridad de ser humano sin límites

[@ErrylZakari]

aww! maaaan! what a tune!

[@jerryvivanco4898]

This tune has 1 of my ALL-TIME favorite Fender Rhodes electric piano solos.......EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🎼🎹🎼🎹🎼🎹

[@brucerich4057]

My Fave Group..............................

[@dixonnoxid4793]

man this is great! that beat and bass comes in at 4:00!

[@magnoliapugana]

After Step - What Was, Song to the Pharoah Kings is my favourite Corea's piece.

[@alph1057]

You could be cleaning up CRIME SCENES for a living while listening to this, and your life would still have a lot of meaning

[@yungyeshua.]

that bit at 3:55 is so fucking incredible, so much emotion in his playing. RIP Master

[@adriancloe4775]

just discovered this album. 3 bucks used on vinyl. i almost feel like going back and giving another 17. not gonna though

[@kazkylheku1221]

RIght? Why would you, to some dolt who gave this away for 3 bucks. :)

[@JonelleRheu]

This, Sorceress and Duel of the Jester and Tyrant are my fave tracks by this band!!!

[@chloecolle9492]

Sorceress yes!

[@jean-claudeseehafer7753]

la meme chose pour moi Mr edgar lissovetz j'ai connu cette musique a 17 ans et maintenant 57 ans

[@ARR-57]

My first RTF purchase bak N da day... Chic and company were absolute freakN geniuses...this version of the RTF bands he assemble w/the constant of Lenny White and Stanley Clark and addition of Al Dimeola (replacing the great Bill Connor} is one of my all time fav...luv how they made these medieval fantasy like rock tunes...that took u right to a time of dueling, triumph and celebration thru each musicians performance...greatness indeed. 🎶😎

[@abdulahbesirevic2506]

wow!

[@duster71]

My favorite RTF album

[@leonguisburg413]

This was the next album after 7th Galaxy---and although my young ears didn't appreciate Bill Connors tone and technical skills over DiMeola's rising star---the contrast today should be listened to today by any young aspiring musician Both Connors & DiMeola played hot rodded Les Paul's (so did McLaughlin for that fact) but on the 7th Galaxy RTF relied on a Rickenbacker axe for Stanley and Rhodes piano along with processed organs for Chick By this album Connors was gone and DiMeola was in and it was the beginning of Chick's synth work and Stanley's Alembic explosion

[@WELLBRAN]

Al's solo from 8.51...brilliant

[@twilight4192]

One of my favorite albums from Jr. High School days! Played it till' my ears fell off! Other-worldly musicianship! - especially the rhythm section - Stanley Clark...LENNY WHITE!!!