Search - John Abercrombie :: Getting There

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05/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Browsing through the amazom.com titles & reviews, I came across this recording that so far went unreviewed (by customers at least) and not cross-referenced at all. This is one of the rare Abercrombie recordings that truely amazes me and stands as a testemant why the johnson-erskine-abercrombie combination worked so well. this cd also features michael brecker at tenor. what is really surprising is abercrombie has captured the ECM sound like few artist has; and a non-Kongshaug engineer has devised a formula that is truly difficult to match. The listener really gets there!"

An outstanding album

Bernard | 08/22/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have loved this album for years. It is a superb piece of modern jazz; and a personal favourite of mine. There's so much contrast and colour in this music. There's some far-out blowing, a lovely ballad, and some swinging trio - all rich in atmosphere and moods that twist and turn. Yet it never seems forced or overly clever; the music flows effortlessly from beginning to end. Need I say it?, but of course it's all played with great sensitivity and utter conviction by the remarkable trio of John Abercrombie, Marc Johnson and Peter Erskine.



The compositions are all fascinating. Most are by John Abercrombie, but they're all outstanding. ('Remember Hymn' is gorgeous. This one was included in the Real Book - can't recall if it's in vol.2 or 3.) The Vince Mendoza tune is great and Marc Johnson's 'Furs on Ice' is wonderful here; much preferred to the later live version on the 'Abercrombie/Johnson/Erskine' album.



This album has, I think, some of John Abercrombie's tastiest playing. Strong clean tones, with lines that are so articulate. His playing seems filled with purpose, and has, to my mind, more substance, and (importantly) more emotion than in later albums. The acoustic guitar tones are rich and detailed - lovely stuff; thankfully no horror plugged-in sounds here! He also uses the guitar synthesizer to great effect, and always with taste. In fact I think it's his best work on the instrument.



And Mike Brecker! Oh my... he's in absolutely killing form on the tracks he appears on. Talk about power! Talk about taste; and that big, big tone. He is definitely inspired here; no doubt by the great music and exceptional musicians he was working with.



This album deserves much greater recognition. Though the prevailing mood might be a little dark or sombre, it is nonetheless an absolutely delightful album.



NOTE: This recording is NOT "discontinued by the manufacturer" as stated, but is sadly the victim of someone somewhere who can't be bothered to make it available. It IS available in other parts of the world, and it's a shame that you can't buy it here at Amazon.com at a reasonable price."

Wonderful playing in a light vain with some great moments

samuel | nyc | 03/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just get it. Besides being a well executed session by 4 undisputed masters and featuring some wonderful moments showcasing individual talent and subtlety for example mark Johnson's solo on Upon A Time, it has been a favorite of mine because of track 4 Remembering Hyme. I have always been ambivalent about Brecker. True his playing is rich and replete with original musical conceptions and his technique is a god sent there is always a disturbing flashiness or pop quality even in his most successful solos yet on this particular track he shines in a way that would have made Coltrane proud. It is a deeply felt elegy of sorts wherein breaker's tone and phrasing are nothing short of astounding. I will not try to describe it in the same I would not try to describe the second movement of Mozart's Jupiter symphony- or of the G minor for that matter- as I said just get it."