Why Maiden Voyage is (Almost) Herbie's Greatest Album

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Today we're going on an aquatic journey with Herbie Hancock's Maiden Voyage. Herbie calls the title track the best tune he's ever written. We dive deep into the music to explore what makes this tune, and this album, great.

The roots of Maiden Voyage date back in 1963, when Herbie began hearing rumors that Miles Davis wanted to hear him play. He didn't believe it at first -- Miles was at the height of his celebrity by this point. But soon he got a call. He went over to Miles's house and played with him, George Coleman, Tony Williams and Ron Carter for three days. On the third day, Miles asks the group to come to studio to record Seven Steps to Heaven. Herbie says, "Does that mean I'm in the band?" Miles says, "You're making the record, mother f**cker!"

After two years playing in what many call the one of the greatest jazz ensembles of all time, Herbie would release Maiden Voyage in 1965. Along with George, Tony and Ron, plus trumpeter Freddie Hubbard. Although it is one of his simplest tunes -- with a rhythm inspired by a cologne commercial -- Maiden Voyage would become a favorite and a standard among jazz musicians.

In this episode, you'll hear:
- Adam and Peter pick apart the greatest moments from the album, including some perfect solos
- The story of the commercial roots of this jazz standard
- Where the record got its aquatic theme
- Why a great song starts with a great bassline (just ask Ron Carter)
- How this record could have been even better ... if it weren't for that piano sound
- Where we land on Van Gelder Sound controversy

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Keyboards? Albums we haven't covered. "Boomer" talk. We know you have opinions about this show. Help us make You'll Hear It better by sharing your feedback with us and answering a short survey. You could win one of three $100 Amazon gift cards!

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Want more Herbie Hancock content? Learn why Herbie's greatest era is not even jazz on last season's episode on Headhunters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM-_44deuSY

0:00 - Intro Jam: Maiden Voyage
1:35 - Welcome + How to Win a Prize
2:20 - Introducing Herbie Hancock's Maiden Voyage
3:25 - How Herbie Hancock Came to Play with Miles Davis
5:20 - "You're Making the Record, Mother F**ker!"
7:10 - Shout Out to Liner Notes
8:26 - Why We Love Maiden Voyage
10:00 - Is Maiden Voyage the Best Song Herbie Has Ever Written?
10:55 - Track 1: Maiden Voyage
12:30 - Is George Coleman's Maiden Voyage Solo Perfect?
16:15 - The Key Difference Between George Coleman and Freddie Hubbard's Solos
17:10 - Herbie's Stroke Of Genius on Maiden Voyage
18:05 - The Simple, Unsettled Rhythm Grounding Maiden Voyage
22:00 - How the Maiden Voyage Rhythm Was Almost Lost Forever
23:20 - Miles Davis's Eighty-One was a Precursor to Maiden Voyage
24:11 - What a Great Bassline Matters so Much to a Great Song (Just Ask Rob Carter)
25:25 - The Commercial Roots of Maiden Voyage
27:10 - How Maiden Voyage Got Its Spiral Structure
28:13 - Track 2: The Eye of the Hurricane
29:38 - Pulling Apart Eye of the Hurricane: Tony Williams's Drums, Freddie Hubbard's Trumpet, George Coleman's Saxophone
33:25 - The Dual Life of "Little One" - E.S.P and Maiden Voyage
34:24 - Track 3: Little One
35:50 - Track 4: Survival of the Fittest
36:58 - The Inspiration for "Dolphin Dance": Count Basie's "Shiny Stockings"
38:25 - Track 5: Dolphin Dance
41:38 - Desert Island Tracks
42:15 - Apex Moments on Maiden Voyage
46:10 - Herbie's Greatest Solo ... if it Weren't for the Piano Sound
46:50 - Let's Talk About the Rudy Van Gelder Sound
49:54 - Bespoke Spotify Playlists
50:36 - Snobometer
50:58 - Better than KOB?
51:48 - Accoutrements: Album Cover and Liner Notes
52:30 - How to Win a Special Prize! Check Out the Survey at youllhearitsurvey.com
53:15 - Outro Jam: Maiden Voyage