Gordon Brisker Quintet - My Son John - Naxos |
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1 The Open Path
2 Here's Looking at You Kid
3 The Meaning of The Blues
4 Farewell Princess
5 Impetus
6 My Son John
7 Wozzeck's Dilemma
8 Witness
9 You Go To My Head |
- Mike Nock
(9:30)
- Gordon Brisker (7:13)
- Bobby Troup & Leah Worth (6:02)
- Gordon Brisker (4:13)
- Gordon Brisker (5:43)
- Gordon Brisker (7:22)
- Gordon Brisker (6:44)
- Gordon Brisker (6:44)
- Haven Gillespie & Fred Coots (8:36) |
Gordon Brisker - tenor sax
Tim Hagans - trumpet, flugelhorn
Anthony Cox - bass
Billy Hart - drums
Mike Nock - piano
Review of "My Son John"
by Tim Price
Over the years I have listened to and respected Gordon
Brisker's playing. He is a very special musician and human being
who definitely subscribes to the essence of improvisation, which
is being in present time. His ability to allow the music to flow
is an inspiration and the obvious spritual nature of his music
flows out of all the musicians taking part in this recording. When
Gordon Brisker puts his tenor saxophone to his lips to play, it is
living history.
This recording also contains vivid compositions combining real
jazz sensibility with some burning, loose improvising within
compositional structures, the result of positive vibrations and
loyalty to the creative muse. - the real salt of a musician like
Gordon Brisker. The message in his music speaks volumes. His
ability to be aware of contrasts and crossing of artistic barriers
is obvious as soon as you hear him. I always treasured his
capacity to add something of his own to the various groups I heard
him with. Be it the Woody Herman Herd, Anita O'Day grop or one of
his own Los Angeles based bands, Gordon unfailingly added that
special element.
Gordon is also one of the very best composer / arrangers on
today's scene. He's earned his stripes as a writer for hire in Los
Angeles, but further than that ... he's an unsung creative
compositional force who deserves much more attention than he has
so far received. He always realised his goals and finds a
contrapuntal space to sahre for the players' imaginations. His
compositions provided touchstones for the listener and are always
clearly contemporary in their approach - perfect vehicles for
creative playing! This type of writing opens the doors for
Briser's bandmates. I can't say enough about this aspect of his
gift.
For example listen to the title tune, My Son John:
this cut has to become a modern day classic. From the moody
opening moments of Mike Nock's intro to the contemporary struck
bass solo by Anthony cox, followed by Tim Hagan's blue space
adventure and closing with Brisker's soulful journey, the track
evolves into a seamless 21st century epic. This is a listening
experience not to be missed.
And check out his approach to the ballad You Go To My
Head. In this well chosen standard, you can hear the
surprise in the improvising. There is no "playing it safe" here.
This is one of the best versions of the tune I've heard. The
lyricism of the standard American songbook is evident and is a
stellar example of how to put your personal stamp on a song.
Elements of a standard like this one are part of its DNA and
cannot lightly be placed in disregard. It's all about finding your
own voice within these parameters and feeding the soul, as well as
definign what the artist is about.
But keep in mind, this is also the same tenor saxophone artist
who gives us the beautiful interpretation of Mike Nock's modern
composition The Open Path. The gorgeously
imperturbable groove remains in constant motion while Gordon's
episodic melodies, blooming out of Nock's spinning chords, deliver
a constant flux of focal points.
I've been a fan of Mike Nock since first hearing him in the
'60s. Widely eclectic, yet accessible, he mixes soulful
improvisation with unique melodic layers that always map an
exciting, surprise filled journey.
Billy Hart and Anthony Cox are ideal in support for Gordon.
Anthony's lines and sound knock me out and i find his playing on
Wozzeck's Dilemma amazing. His effective use of the
full range of the instrument as well as his emotional depth,
provide total satisfaction.
The exquisite artistry of Billy Hart ensures that anything he
touches becomes a sparkling creative venture and his playhing
throughout the CD underlines this capability.
Then you've go Tim Hagans. His improvising is full of
originality,and what a trumpet player! I'd venture to say he's the
perfect front line partner for Gordon.
In closing, as a voice on the tenor saxophone Gordon is rock
solid and onthis particular date, recorded September 15, 2000, he
is in top form. Eons ahead of the placid clones existing in
today's saxophone world, he fills the void of the gone past
masters well. I find his solos mesmerizing as well as
inspirational. His voice on the tenor is his own,which to me is
the tradition of this instrument. Listen for his thematic
developent and emotional shaping, as well as his strong personal
saxophone sound.
This CD is a fascinating document with a bounty of musical
rewards, a milestone in an already illustrious career for Gordon
Brisker.
- Tim Price
Tim Price has been a writer for Saxophone Journal for
over a decade. He is also a Selmer clinician and published author.
"My Son John" Naxos Jazz #86064-2
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