Pilgrimage
AMG AllMusic Guide: Pop Albums:
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Pilgrimage
- Artist: Michael Brecker
- Rating:
- Release Date: May 22, 2007
- Genre: Jazz
Review
Given the heartbreaking context in which this album was released -- this was the final recording by saxophonist Michael Brecker, who died of myelodysplastic syndrome and leukemia only a few months before its release -- there might be a certain temptation to cut it some slack for sentimental reasons. However, leniency is hardly needed. Leading a group comprised of jaw-dropping talents (pianists Herbie Hancock and Brad Mehldau, guitarist Pat Metheny, bassist John Patitucci, drummer Jack DeJohnette) and playing for the first time a program consisting entirely of original compositions, Brecker delivers an emotionally rich and startlingly powerful album of straight-ahead modern jazz that will stand as his musical epitaph and will effectively confound anyone who has ever been tempted to dismiss him as a mere jazz-pop fusioneer. It will also frustrate anyone looking for maudlin emotion or even any obvious product of existential angst; the only concession to sentiment here is on the title of a ballad, "When Can I Kiss You Again?," a quote from Brecker's teenage son during a period in his treatment when his family was not allowed to touch him. But even that track, with its unusual chord progression and sometimes rather arid solos, retains a core of tough-mindedness within the tenderness. Most of the rest of the program consists of uptempo and medium-tempo burners that swing with a powerful sense of urgency and life, and precious little foreshadowing of the tragedy that all involved knew was soon to come. This is a brilliant and inspiring album -- and would be whether or not it had anything to do with the death of one of the great figures in American jazz. This CD was nominated in 2007 for a Grammy award as Best Jazz Instrumental Album (Individual or Group), and Brecker's improvisation on "Anagram" was nominated for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo. ~ Rick Anderson, Rovi| Pilgrimage (1971 Album by Wishbone Ash) | |
| Pilgrimage (2009 Album by Erin McGaughan) |
Wikipedia on Answers.com:
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Pilgrimage (Michael Brecker album)
| Pilgrimage | ||||
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| Studio album by Michael Brecker | ||||
| Released | May 22, 2007 | |||
| Recorded | Right Track Recording, New York City, August 2006 | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 77:46 | |||
| Label | Heads Up | |||
| Producer | Michael Brecker, Gil Goldstein, Steve Rodby, Pat Metheny | |||
| Michael Brecker chronology | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
Pilgrimage is the final studio album, released in 2007, by the late American jazz saxophonist Michael Brecker. In 2005, Brecker was diagnosed with myelogenous leukemia, and at the time of the recording, he was already gravely ill. He recorded Pilgrimage bearing in mind that it would most likely be his last album, and it has been considered his last great work of art until his death in January 2007. The album's personnel is a lineup of jazz giants, consisting of Brecker, John Patitucci, Jack DeJohnette, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, and Brad Mehldau.
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Contents
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Influence
Despite his losing battle with leukemia, Brecker fully commands each track on the album. His sound is rich, powerful, and strong, and his tone and vigor do not suggest any illness or affliction. The other musicians on the album all were aware of Brecker's condition, and used that knowledge to encourage him and make the album a success. Herbie Hancock said of Brecker:
"Michael now has reached a new level as a composer and musician. Despite his disease, or actually because of it, he managed to climb higher mountains and to walk ahead. The best way to take a poison is to change it into a medicine. At the moment, Michael experiences something very destructive and changes it into something extremely constructive."
Composition
Brecker's compositions on the album are some of his most complex and thoroughly composed music. His positive attitude toward his disease seems to rub off in the music, especially "Tumbleweed" and "The Mean Time," as they are full of high energy and intense interaction among the personnel. The title of the ballad "When Can I Kiss You Again?" is allegedly a quote from Brecker's son, who asked him that question while Brecker was in critical care and isolation after his stem cell transplant. The album won Brecker two posthumous Grammy awards for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo (for his solo on "Anagram") and Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group.[2]
Track listing
All music composed by Michael Brecker.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Mean Time" | 6:55 |
| 2. | "Five Months from Midnight" | 7:40 |
| 3. | "Anagram" | 10:09 |
| 4. | "Tumbleweed" | 9:36 |
| 5. | "When Can I Kiss You Again?" | 9:42 |
| 6. | "Cardinal Rule" | 7:31 |
| 7. | "Half Moon Lane" | 7:17 |
| 8. | "Loose Threads" | 8:34 |
| 9. | "Pilgrimage" | 10:02 |
Personnel
- Michael Brecker - tenor saxophone, EWI
- Pat Metheny - guitars, guitar synth
- Herbie Hancock - piano (Tracks 1, 5, 8, 9)
- Brad Mehldau - piano (Tracks 2, 3, 4, 6, 7)
- John Patitucci - double bass
- Jack DeJohnette - drums
Awards
2008 - 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards[2]
| Title | Category |
|---|---|
| "Anagram" | Best Jazz Instrumental Solo |
| "Pilgrimage" | Best Jazz Instrumental Album |
References
- ^ Anderson, Rick (2011 [last update]). "Pilgrimage - Michael Brecker | AllMusic". allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r1041885. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
- ^ a b "Past Winners Search". GRAMMY.com. http://www.grammy.com/nominees/search?artist=&title=&year=2007&genre=16. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
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