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Michael Brecker: Nearness of You: The Ballad Book
ByThese aren't the ballads you'd expect, and that's primarily what makes the date work. There are two cuts from Metheny's 1996 album Quartet (Geffen), "Sometimes I See" and "Seven Days." There's also Brecker's "Incandescence" and "I Can See Your Dreams," the latter serving as the wistful "epilogue." Joe Zawinul's "Midnight Mood" is another unusual entry. The only standards are "Always," "My Ship" (Gil Evans's Miles Ahead arrangement, Gil Goldstein's adaptation for quintet), and "The Nearness of You," the last of which features James Taylor (!) on vocals.
Taylor's presence raises some interesting issues. His is not a jazz voice by any means, and in a way, that's what redeems his performance on "The Nearness of You." Cynics may lambaste his inclusion as a commercial ploy, and they may be partly right, but one thing's for sure: he puts his own stamp on the tune, preventing it from sounding recycled and retro. The same can be said for "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight," which also features Taylor's singing. One could argue that Taylor is this track's saving grace. Without him, the group might have played the song as a boring, muzaky instrumental. Instead, we hear Taylor revisiting one of his own classics, rearranged as a jazz ballad. There's artistic merit there for sure.
Track Listing
1. Chan's Song 2. Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight 3. Nascente 4. Midnight Mood 5. The Nearness of You 6. Incandescence 7. Sometimes I See 8. My Ship 9. Always 10. Seven Days 11. I Can See Your Dreams
Personnel
Michael Brecker
saxophone, tenorPat Metheny
guitarHerbie Hancock
pianoCharlie Haden
bass, acousticJack DeJohnette
drumsJames Taylor
vocalsJames Taylor, vocals (2, 5).
Album information
Title: Nearness of You: The Ballad Book | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Verve Music Group
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