Michael Brecker - Nearness of You: The Ballad Book
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CD Details
Artist: Michael BreckerEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2001-06-19
Music Label: Umvd Labels
Product features:
- BRECKER MICHAEL NEARNESS OF YOU - THE BALLAD BOOK
- Chan's Song
- Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
- Nascente
- Midnight Mood
- The Nearness Of You
- Incandescence
- Sometimes I See
- My Ship
- Always
- Seven Days
- I Can See Your Dreams
Music reviews of Nearness of You: The Ballad Book
Music Review: LIKE RAIN FALLING ON DRY PLAINS
Rating: 4 Stars
After centuries of philosophical and metaphysical meditation and discussion, many in the West have concluded that there are no deeper wellsprings of human motivation than alcohol and sex. Indeed, in the present jazz world, we have differing parties arguing over just what jazz is for and these deep intellectual musings show up here as well. The philistines among us foolishly assume that the aim of jazz is the same as the aim for all music and art: namely to create beauty out of the human imagination. Fortunately, the jazz world has safely left those simpletons behind.
Naturally, there has to be some concessions to getting the bills paid. Thus an unseemly chunk of jazz is made for no other purpose than to serve as the soundtrack to dining out. People like smoothing noises as they masticate their chicken and salad at Jean's Bristo downtown. But no one takes this seriously. What they do take seriously is the sex that follows sometime later in the evening. The demands of the occasion are far more profound for jazz musicians in that the music better be conducive to "knocking' boots". Failure can be devastating to one's career. Theoretically speaking, human beings don't need music any more for sex than they do for supper. But the practical realities are that the difference between a discrete, cold kiss goodnight and amorous fireworks followed by sneaking out of bed the next morning wondering what happened to your underwear can be that infectious jazz record slipped into the CD player at the critical juncture. Many jazz musicians count this function as their real bread and butter and they make no apologies about it. After all, there can be no higher calling than "bringin' folk together".
On the other hand, a significant but small part of the jazz community are devoted to "making their own kind of music" and consider themselves above creators of "make-out records". This group loves to tell you how brainy they and their audience are; but even a sympathetic observer will note the massive qualities of chemicals and booze consumed during performances. Save for the one girl I met in college who claimed she lost her innocence to Coltrane's ASCENSION, sex generally is not on the agenda. The brainy jazz musicians are not against sex as such-in general they are in favor of the idea. It is just that the consolations of alcohol and other lifestyle drugs kill so many birds at the same time and are so inspirational. This group does not eschew popular attention in principle as much as recognize that much like mysterious mathematicians exploring calculations most square folk cannot fathom they themselves are delving into the outer bounds of the musical universe. Most practitioners of this "pure music" resent the public connection of their craft with bottled spirits and pharmacology; but in practice there is such a strong cultural affinity. Much like those who have cultivated their palates to the subtleties of fine wines and are aghast to behold Neanderthals chugging down Thunderbird, so these sophisticates turn up their noses at those boors who enjoy jazz that is "pretty".
All the participants on this CD have placed their hand on the "progressive" plow in the past and have made tons of "challenging" records. While each has their detractors, it could safely be said they are pillars of the American jazz community and are well respected and trusted. Thus when they choose to make a romantic record one can count on them to make music with perception and taste without sounding like a "stripper" record.
Which is exactly what we have here. In simply having an album to "play" over the years there is so much to recommend here. Every cut is exceptional and yes...beautiful. We also thankfully have music with a more refined sensibility for the love between a man and a woman. Without denying essential sexual attraction, there is an intimate emotional place between those in love that is not addressed by the bump and grind material written for the "docking procedure". The addition of James Taylor singing on two cuts on this album adds just that touch of grace and maturity that raises this CD above the clutter of popular jazz crossover albums.
This perhaps why many express disappointment with THE NEARNESS OF YOU. With all these respected musicians, couldn't they make this CD just a little edgy? Save for a hint of Metheny's "raging elephant" synth-guitar sound here and there, all the coloring in within the lines. Granted, the coloring is very good and well done. But couldn't we make all those couples out there sitting by the fire and holding hands a little uncomfortable-just a little?
For some it isn't art unless it confronts and offends the middle-class "straights" out there. If we can't shock the unenlightened into recognizing that romance and love are just a fantasy and alcohol and sex rule the world, then we have failed. But it is this very attitude that has spelled the doom of jazz as a popular music. Supposedly millions do not attend worship services because they don't enjoy being told from the pulpit all the different ways they don't measure up-why should they pay good money for a CD to tell them they are not the right sort of people?
Of course the answer is they won't. Just as this little essay is not going to persuade who like their art with a jagged edge. For these beauty cannot be portrayed without some dissonant chord being played-a picture cannot be left touched without a mar on the surface. While most people are not so foolish as to believe ugliness does not exist, very few go on to give up on the possibility of beauty. What makes this a superior CD is that these very capable musicians leave much unsaid. They restrain themselves in these hymns of love to leave the barest suggestion of sadness in moments of joy. Even in the heartfelt expressions of romance there are the memories of loneliness and emptiness-past relationships long gone. Much like rain falling on dry plains, in the midst of all the sorrow and disappointments, real love is there.
Description of Nearness of You: The Ballad Book
BRECKER MICHAEL NEARNESS OF YOU - THE BALLAD BOOKJazz CDs
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