Tales from the Hudson

1	Slings and Arrows 6:19
2	Midnight Voyage 7:17
3	Song for Bilbao 5:44
4	Beau Rivage 7:38
5	African Skies 8:12
6	Introduction to Naked Soul 1:14
7	Naked Soul 8:43
8	Willie T. 8:13
9	Cabin Fever 6:59

Barnes & Noble

Although best known for a pristine pop pedigree that includes work with Steely Dan and Paul Simon, session-man extraordinaire Michael Brecker is one of the most accomplished jazzmen ever to pick up a tenor saxophone. His ability to adapt to different contexts is one of his greatest strengths. But add patience to his list of virtues. By waiting until he was a fully formed player before recording as a leader, Brecker infused his fourth solo recording, TALES FROM THE HUDSON, with a lifetime of hard-won chops. The all-star turnout here includes Pat Metheney, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, and Joey Calderazzo, and two numbers find the technically terrifying tenorist holding his own alongside McCoy Tyner, John Coltrane's former pianist. Brecker can maneuver through the thorniest harmonies with ease, but it's his beckoning sound, rather than his formidable skill that wins you over on tunes like "Naked Soul" and "Wille T.," his ardent tribute to R&B piano great Willie Tee. Steve Futterman

All Music Guide

Michael Brecker, a major influence on today's young saxophonists, shows off his own influences a bit throughout this fine modern straight-ahead set. Brecker sounds surprisingly like Stanley Turrentine on parts of "Midnight Voyage," and otherwise displays his roots in Ernie Watts and John Coltrane. With the exception of Don Grolnick's "Willie T.," the music on the CD is comprised of group originals (five by the leader) and falls into the 1990s mainstream of jazz. While the tenor saxophonist has plenty of blowing space (really letting loose on the exciting closer, "Cabin Fever"), Pat Metheny is mostly pretty restrained (in a Jim Hall bag) except for his wild solo on guitar synth during "Song for Bilbao." Pianist Joey Calderazzo starts out sounding a bit like McCoy Tyner on "Slings and Arrows" before his own musical personality is revealed. When Tyner himself plays on "Song for Bilbao" (one of two guest appearances), one can certainly tell the difference between master and pupil. All of Michael Brecker's recordings as a leader (as opposed to his cameos as a sideman on pop records) are easily recommended and show why he is considered a giant by many listeners. Scott Yanow