Charles, all good points.
Michael Brecker had an ability to overcome the technical obstacles posed
by the instrument that put him in a league of his own. I know some will be
surprised by this comment, but not even Coltrane had such a flawless
facility and ability to play in any register, at any speed, with flawless
intonation and utter control; he was a freak of nature. His ability to play in
the the"altissimo" register of the instrument is a case in point.
This is an extremely difficult technique used more and more by modern
players, and involves playing above the natural range of the instrument by
manipulation of the harmonics created by the notes in the natural range.
This allows the player to play in the range of the alto and soprano (much
higher). He was able to do this in an effortless way and as if it were the
natural range of the horn and not just an "effect". Stylistic
considerations are a different matter and subjective. There is only so much
that I can take of his post-Coltane/with-a-little-funk-thrown-in style. Still
credit should be given where credit is due.
Brecker: v=m5l1OTkNGFk>http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m5l1OTkNGFk
Coltrane: v=03juO5oS2gg>http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=03juO5oS2gg
I find it interesting that after listening to Brecker's version, Coltrane's seems
almost polite; slower, less fire. Until one feels the slow simmer in
Coltrane's; the incredible building of tension. Brecker can fly down the
highway because he has driven it many times before and was given
directions by Coltrane. Coltrane is driving down the road for the first time,
looking for the address and exploring. That's what made him the genius he
was, and his version is, ultimately, better music; IMO. Still, as far as
playing the instrument Brecker was like no one else; but, a little bit like a
great ss amp that does every thing "perfectly": amazing clarity, incredible
bass, staging, etc. and still.....something missing.
v=fJt3qeuPdns>http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fJt3qeuPdns
Regards.
Michael Brecker had an ability to overcome the technical obstacles posed
by the instrument that put him in a league of his own. I know some will be
surprised by this comment, but not even Coltrane had such a flawless
facility and ability to play in any register, at any speed, with flawless
intonation and utter control; he was a freak of nature. His ability to play in
the the"altissimo" register of the instrument is a case in point.
This is an extremely difficult technique used more and more by modern
players, and involves playing above the natural range of the instrument by
manipulation of the harmonics created by the notes in the natural range.
This allows the player to play in the range of the alto and soprano (much
higher). He was able to do this in an effortless way and as if it were the
natural range of the horn and not just an "effect". Stylistic
considerations are a different matter and subjective. There is only so much
that I can take of his post-Coltane/with-a-little-funk-thrown-in style. Still
credit should be given where credit is due.
Brecker: v=m5l1OTkNGFk>http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m5l1OTkNGFk
Coltrane: v=03juO5oS2gg>http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=03juO5oS2gg
I find it interesting that after listening to Brecker's version, Coltrane's seems
almost polite; slower, less fire. Until one feels the slow simmer in
Coltrane's; the incredible building of tension. Brecker can fly down the
highway because he has driven it many times before and was given
directions by Coltrane. Coltrane is driving down the road for the first time,
looking for the address and exploring. That's what made him the genius he
was, and his version is, ultimately, better music; IMO. Still, as far as
playing the instrument Brecker was like no one else; but, a little bit like a
great ss amp that does every thing "perfectly": amazing clarity, incredible
bass, staging, etc. and still.....something missing.
v=fJt3qeuPdns>http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fJt3qeuPdns
Regards.