Herbie Hancock

1 New York Minute
Written-By – Danny Kortchmar, Don Henley, Jai Winding
8:33
2 Mercy Street
Written-By – Peter Gabriel
8:36
3 Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
Written-By – John Lennon-Paul McCartney*
8:04
4 When Can I See You
Written-By – Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds*
6:15
5 You've Got It Bad Girl
Written-By – Stevie Wonder, Yvonne Wright
7:13
6 Love Is Stronger Than Pride
Written-By – Andrew Hale, Sade Adu, Stuart Matthewman
7:57
7 Scarborough Fair
Written-By – Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon
8:21
8 Thieves In The Temple
Written-By – Prince
7:30
9 All Apologies
Written-By – Kurt Cobain
5:04
10 Manhattan (Island Of Lights And Love)
Written-By – Herbie Hancock, Jean Hancock
4:05
11 Your Gold Teeth II
Written-By – Donald Fagen, Walter Becker
5:14
credits:
Acoustic Bass – Dave Holland
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Sitar [Electric] – John Scofield
Percussion – Don Alias
Piano, Producer, Arranged By – Herbie Hancock
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Michael Brecker… (more)

Listening to Herbie Hancock tell his story on the audiobook edition of "Possibilities" is a treat. His prose and his narration are both incredibly conversational, so it feels like having a cup of coffee with this jazz master, rather than laboring through a chronology of accomplishments.

Most rewarding for me was learning how remarkably stable he's been in a field that has taken down more than its fair share of talents. He certainly experimented with drugs, but got away from them quickly (though crack cocaine comes into his life in the 90's for a brief and transformative time). He's been married to his wife Gigi for decades. He is aware of his place in the jazz pantheon but maintains an admirable level of humility and seems genuinely gracious anytime he's acknowledged by his peers or fans.

A good deal of this book deals with Herbie's deep devotion to Nichiren Buddhism and his reliance on it as a spiritual path throughout his adult life. He and Wayne Shorter are both practicing Buddhists and their practice has anchored their journeys through the world of music and their personal lives. As a Buddhist myself (though from a different tradition), it was wonderful to hear how transformative Mr. Hancock's devotion has been for him.

Of course, then there's the music. "Watermelon Man", "Cantaloupe Island", "Rockit", his Grammy winning work on "River: The Joni Letters". His work with the legendary Miles Davis Quintet, The Headhunters, and Mwandishi, and all the stories of his friendships with jazz legends and other musical artists.

Finally, there's Herbie's rich curiosity, which led him to study technology and become an early adopter of a variety of techniques that changed his sound and put him on the forefront as a true musical innovator.

This is a book that any jazz fan will cherish. It's also a book that many Buddhists will appreciate. While a hard copy is always agreeable, this is one of the rare self-narrated books by a musician that holds up as you listen. Herbie's humor, heart, and ease with who he is comes through as he tells his story.… (more)

If 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.… (more)