Michael Brecker - Pilgrimage
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Free Music Notes for Pilgrimage
Free Music Review: At the top of his game - 4.5 stars
Hit: 4 Stars
I've always struggled with Mike Brecker. As a huge fan of his regular cohorts Pat Metheny, Jack de Johnette, Charlie Haden & Herbie Hancock, I religiously buy his albums but, in the same way that I can't get into Coltrane I just couldn't get into Brecker. His music always seemed rather too "frenetic" &/or "strident" for my tastes. But then of course came the sad news of his passing and the news that he'd made this one last recording with three of the above-named (w. John Pattituci on bass & Brad Mehldau alternating with Herbie) so I just HAD to buy & try really hard to get into it - & goddam it I have!! If you can listen to it alone (& either loud or with headphones) immediately the things that strike you are that Brecker really is in top form, the interplay amongst these top notch musicians is simply fabulous (the opening track being a perfect example) & the writing with all its excellent arrangements (some credit to Gil Goldstein here) & ever changing rhythms & syncopations is both ingenius & superb. Standout highlights are the pulsating, churning "Tumbleweed" (which some have correctly likened to Metheny's 1983 "Song for Bilbao" except that this is a far more mature arrangement & product - the bringing together of all the treble parts at the end is wonderful!) & the melancholy (but never maudlin) "When can I kiss you again?" with beautiful solos by Pat, then Herbie & finally Brecker. "5 Months to Midnight" & "Half Moon Lane" could almost be companion pieces with sweet, soulful saxophone refrains embellished by moderato (almost laid back but still intricate) solos from Metheny & Mehldau. "Anagram" is a track that took a number of listens to appreciate - on the one hand its rather frenetic propulsion at the outset nearly had me reaching for the "skip" button but there's a nice, almost imperciptible, change of tempo into Metheny's excellent solo (which again shows he can really swing) followed by brilliant rhythm section work in & around Mehldau's solo, finished off by great synchpoated drum & bass work into the conclusion. Weak spots (& hence only 4.5 stars)?? Well, apart from being a good showcase for Pattituci's skills (& more fine work from Brecker) I think "Cardinal Rule" is a bit of "bits 'n' pieces" composition with not a lot of coherence. Also "Loose Threads" has such great melodic ideas up front that Brecker's solo seems a little too "straight-ahead" for my tastes. Finally, I think the title (& last) track, which is a bit too "into the mystic" at first, whilst exhibiting on the one hand a fabulous Brecker solo which could have made for a truly sensational closer is spoilt by some awful, rambling electric piano & synthesiser "noodling" from Hancock. But seriously, these are but minor quibbles (& only intended to justify knocking off half a star) because if you only ever buy one Michael Brecker album then this is definitely it!!Free Music Review: Pilgrimage
Hit: 4 Stars
To me this was the farewell recording of Michael Brecker to the musicians he started the series of recordings with, from "Two Blocks from the Edge" to "Don't Try This at Home", " Now You See It...Now You Don't", "Time Is Of The Essence" and many more. I have listened to the above mentioned CD's but this has an impact on my listening to MB, he allows a free space for one to realize his ability to improvise. With a pianist like Herbie Hancock, he is able to explore different sounds and exercises. John Patittuci is one of my favorite bassists, he has a strong sound that sometimes confuses his acoustic bass with an electric. Pat Matheny has a unique sound that brings sweet harmonies to this CD. I have always listened to Brad Mehldau accompanying Joshua Redman, he is one pianist that would let you listen to his solos time and again. I have always admired Jack Dejohnette's drumming from early recordings of Miles Davis's "Bitches Brew" to Charles Lloyd's "Forest Flower", here with Pat, reminds me of Pat Matheny 's 80/81 CD which also features Michael Brecker and Dewey Redman on tenor Saxophones. I give this CD four stars.
Free Music Review: Modern Master's Goodbye
Hit: 4 Stars
I have followed Michael Brecker's music for decades now: beginning with the days of The Brecker Brothers, his brother Randy being a fine Trombonist.
Then following up on that, I took in his signature contributions to Funk with the Average White Band.
This is his final Farewell to Jazz and Music. Difficult tempos and modalities in this last and latest work exemplify his artistry, virtuosity and enigmatic quality.
Accompanied as alway by best in the business Michael, I wish you good travels.
Paul
Free Music Review: What a group.
Hit: 4 Stars
Michael Brecker, Accompanied by Herbie Hancock, Brad Mehldau, Pat Metheny, Jack DeJohnette, and John Patitucci. How wrong can you be buying this album?
Although all compositions are by MB, and because of the strong influence of the group, you would sometime think that it could be a Herbie Hancock album or Pat Metheney or any of the others in the band. Every single track is well organized, tight, and well memorable for many years to come.
A well recommended Album; by all means.
Free Music Review: Brecker shines as a composer
Hit: 4 Stars
This last effort by sax giant Michael Brecker is a gem. The level of playing is vertiginous, but for me, the music is the real joy here. The compositions are elaborate but they get to you. The CD has been playing in my car for weeks. Each listen brings out new details, richer textures.