Life & Times (Billy Cobham album)

Life & Times
Studio album by
Billy Cobham
Released1976
GenreJazz, jazz rock
LabelAtlantic
ProducerBilly Cobham
Billy Cobham chronology
A Funky Thide of Sings
(1975) 		Life & Times
(1976) 		Live on Tour in Europe
(1976)

Life & Times is an album by the American musician Billy Cobham, released in 1976.[1][2] It peaked at No. 128 on the Billboard 200.[3] Cobham supported the album by appearing at the Montreux Jazz Festival.[4]

Production

Cobham was backed by Doug Rauch on bass, John Scofield on guitar, and Dawilli Gonga on keyboards.[5] Aside from "Earthlings", which was written by Scofield, Cobham composed all of the songs.[5] "Siesta", on which viola and cello were used, was arranged by Arif Mardin.[6][5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[7]
Omaha World-Herald[8]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD, LP & Cassette[9]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide[10]
The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music[11]

The Tampa Times noted that "Scofield's guitar work is at times reminiscent of Mahavishnu Orchestra's John McLaughlin".[12] The Ann Arbor News said that the album shows that Cobham "can compose and arrange as well as lead and play the drums and synthesizer".[6] The News & Observer praised the album's "vivid contrast—serene settings to strictly danceables."[13]

The Omaha World-Herald said that the songs range from "superfunk to [a] Mahavishnu sound".[8] The Arizona Republic opined that "the rhythmic themes [are] as important to compositions as the melodic leads".[14] The Cincinnati Enquirer said that "Cobham's attacks are explosive... His playing is constantly up front".[15]

The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD, LP & Cassette ironically labeled Life & Times "a small masterpiece of miscasting."[9]

Track listing

Side one

  1. "Life & Times"
  2. "29"
    • a. Siesta
    • b. Wake Up!!!!!! That's What You Said
  4. "East Bay"

Side two

  1. "Earthlings"
  2. "Song for a Friend (Part I)"
  3. "On a Natural High"
  4. "Song for a Friend (Part II)"

References

  1. ^ Gregory, Andy, ed. (2002). The International Who's Who in Popular Music 2002. Taylor & Francis Group. p. 100.
  2. ^ Thompson, Dave, ed. (2019). Goldmine Record Album Price Guide. Penguin Publishing Group. p. 141.
  3. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1985). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Albums, 1955-1985. Record Research Inc. p. 76.
  4. ^ "Billy Cobham Biography by Steve Huey". AllMusic. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "Record Reviews". South Mississippi Sun. Vol. 3, no. 118. March 17, 1976. p. A11.
  6. ^ a b "Record Reviews". The Ann Arbor News. No. 95. April 4, 1976. p. 33.
  7. ^ "Life & Times Review by Robert Taylor". AllMusic. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  8. ^ a b Smith, Will (April 9, 1976). "Jazz-Rock". Omaha World-Herald. No. 175. p. 10.
  9. ^ a b The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD, LP & Cassette. Penguin Books. 1994. p. 253.
  10. ^ The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. Random House. 1985. pp. 42–43.
  11. ^ Larkin, Colin (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Virgin Books. p. 277.
  12. ^ Torres, Ernie (March 24, 1976). "Cobham album has 'fine moments'". The Tampa Times. No. 40. p. 2B.
  13. ^ Lowery, Raymond (April 4, 1976). "Off the record". The News & Observer. Vol. CCXXI, no. 95. p. 10V.
  14. ^ Walker, Gus (April 11, 1976). "Jazz, rock, classics fused". The Arizona Republic. No. 331. p. N9.
  15. ^ Radel, Cliff (April 25, 1976). "Cobham and Ponty Excel Without Guru Guitarist". The Cincinnati Enquirer. p. F6.
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