Herbie Hancock: Possibilities
Written by Herbie Hancock and Lisa Dickey
Narrated by Herbie Hancock
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
The warmly welcomed memoir by one of the most influential and beloved musicians of our time
In Herbie Hancock: Possibilities, the legendary jazz musician and composer reflects on an extraordinary life and a thriving career that has spanned seven decades. A true innovator who has spent a lifetime exploring a range of musical genres, and enriching each of them, Hancock has had an enormous influence on acoustic and electric jazz, R&B, funk, and hip-hop.
From his beginnings as a child prodigy to his early classic Blue Note recordings; from his work in Miles Davis's second great quintet to his innovations as the leader of his own groundbreaking sextet; from era-defining classic albums like Head Hunters and River: The Joni Letters to his collaborations with artists like Wayne Shorter and Stevie Wonder, Hancock reveals the methods behind his ever-evolving musical genius. He discusses his influences, his happy marriage, and how his practice of Buddhism has inspired him both creatively and personally. Honest, enlightening, and as electrifyingly vital as its author, this is an invaluable contribution to jazz literature and an intimate, insightful portrait of a creative life.
Herbie Hancock
Jazz legend Herbie Hancock began playing piano at the age of seven. He would go on to play with Miles Davis before forming his own bands and working with musicians such as Sting, Dave Matthews, Paul Simon, Lang Lang, Christina Aguilera, and Carlos Santana. Hancock also won an Oscar for the score of Round Midnight. In 2011 he was named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and he was a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors in 2013. He lives in Los Angeles.
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Reviews for Herbie Hancock
76 ratings17 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A great read/listen. Very happy I checked this out...Herbie appears to be very honest about his failings as a sone, brother, husband, and father, while celebrating some truly great music. This is a man who knows his place in the history of this art, but doesn't come off as a braggart. He does a great job narrating the book despite not being a professional.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Terrific overview of Herbie Hancock's life and career that will have long-time fans checking their record shelves for the albums that he references along the way. He gives a lot of credit to Miles Davis for the trust and faith he put in his younger musicians such as Tony Williams and Hancock at the time of the Second Great Quintet. Donald Byrd is actually probably the wisest mentor he had though as he advised Hancock to keep his own publishing from the beginning which obviously paid off enormously with hits such as "Watermelon Man" and "Rockit." This is a good-natured bio and although Hancock discusses a temporary drug addiction that he had 20 years ago, there is little of a "tell-all" feel to this. The few slight negative comments about other musicians are about one player who was constantly late to performances and about another young trumpet star whose insecurities may have led to braggadocio and putdowns of others. That's it!Hancock attributes a lot of his success to Buddhism and chant which he discovered fairly early in his life and that belief is regularly mentioned in its relation to his music and career in a very positive senseNot-so-ghost writer Lisa Dickey (who gets full cover credit) structures many of the chapter endings like a thriller, with cliff-hanger ending sentences that make you want to read the next chapter immediately. Very cleverly done!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A wonderful journey with a wise jazzman. Good for musicians, fans or anyone with an interest in humanity.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Loved the stories, the down to earth honesty, and I have always loved Herbie’s music.
Well done! - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fantastic read. I always wondered what was behind nd Herbies greatness. This is a very detailed account of his life working with everyone from Miles Davis to John Mayer. Awesome book!!!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A great book about a very interesting life, musical journey and philosophy of the future.
Some great analogies about being open and welcoming of challenges as an opportunity to achieve something even better and exploring all possibilities in life. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Herbie Hancock has Always Been my Favorite Artist. I first discovered his music with Chameleon from the "Head Hunters" album in 1973 as an 8 year old child. I Loved that song because of the Synthesizer sound and the way the song took the listener on a 15:45 Journey. I was Hooked and couldn't wait for my Father to get his Next album "Thrust" in 1974. I received my 1st Herbie LP, "Man Child" as a Christmas gift from my Grandmother. I have followed his life long Musical Journey as he has Explored Many musical Genres and Thoroughly have enjoyed the ride. As I Listened to this Great Biography, I also Listened to his Entire Discography. His Body of Work is Breathtaking. Bravo!!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book reveals an insight into the mind, emotion and motivation of one of the most creative and productive jazz musicians of our time. The narration by Herbie gives a special personal touch as though he is telling his story directly to you. Thank you Herbie for your music and now this book. You have contributed to making the world a better place.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5What an amazing story, and so beatiful told. I have learned a lot from this book and I am greatful for the author's honnesty.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The amazing journey of Herbie Hancock. it was eye opening, informative and truly a blessing.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Great. Cool. Nice. Melancholy. Power Of Soul. Thanks Mr. Herbie.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Extremely inspiring. Very honest, spiritual and down to earth. Peace!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5if you dig herbie you wont be able to stop listening
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5If you're into audiobooks, definitely consider giving this a listen. Hancock's delivery is so conversational, it feels like you're hanging out together as he tells you all about his life. I appreciate how he calls himself out on some of the BS he's pulled, though the degree to which he claimed to be unassuming (like, nearly every situation) triggers a little side eye in me. Regardless, the man has had an incredible career, and I enjoyed getting his take on life. Certainly one of the better music memoirs out there.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5By being so open and honest about his addictions and flaws, Herbie has left himself open to criticism. However, his pioneering work in music speaks for itself- and this book is a riveting read.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5What an experience! This man is an all time great yet remains humble. Tons of insights on life to be learnt. Highly highly recommend for any student of life.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'm a big jazz fan and enjoyed this book pretty well. Hancock tells of his upbringing, getting started as a musician, playing with Miles Davis, and becoming a bandleader. He talks a lot about what he was attempting to do with several albums, his fascination with electronic technology, and the impact of his Buddhist faith. His purposes in creating music change over time. We read a little about his problem with crack cocaine and his overcoming it. I found the sections about writing for films interesting, and the way he talked about his family. I liked his approach in facing challenges: being told that something was impossible made him work harder to figure out a way. My only real complaint is that the tone of the book is so relentlessly positive. I didn't read it hoping for sensationalism, but it seemed as if he glossed over situations that might have been problematic. On race, for example, he took the attitude that it was up to him to decide how another's actions would affect him. This is certainly true, but he seems determined not to be controversial or stir up resentment by commenting on situations that he faced. The book contains entertaining anecdotes about other significant jazz musicians, especially Miles, Wayne Shorter, and Tony Williams. Hancock is generous with his praise of musicians from many genres, as well as others with whom he interacted in various ways. There is a nice set of pictures of his birth family, his own family, and many of his bands. Hancock comes across as a man full of curiosity and hope, looking to do good in the world.
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