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| | Brewster's Rooster | | | Music Artist : | | John Surman | | Music Style : | | General | | Record Label : | | ECM Records | | Release Date : | | 2009-08-04 | | Store Price : | | $17.98 | | Artistopia's Price: $14.99 | | Usually ships in 24 hours | | |
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CD Tracks/Songs
Disc 11. Slanted Sky (John Warren)
2. Hilltop Dancer
3. No Finesse
4. Kickback
5. Chelsea Bridge (Billy Strayhorn)
6. Haywain
7. Counter Measures
8. Brewster's Rooster
9. Going For A Burton
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Other Artist Albums
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Customer Reviews of This Album/CD |
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 Mild disappointment
Submitted on: 2009-10-02 |
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This album has been anxiously awaited by me. In general, it turned out to be a mild disappointment.
When I have heard John Surman for the first time in 1969, playing with the guitarist John McLaughlin on the "Extrapolation", he quickly became my idol - as much as McLaughlin has been at the time. Unfortunately, over the years, Surman became less ambitious and more weird in his selection of genres. I figure, he just wanted to demonstrate his versatility and prowess in many kinds of music. Nothing wrong with that, if he kept the level of artistry continuously high. But he did not. His albums ranged from 5-stars to mere 2-stars (in my own private rating). On this record, I prefer the discreet performance of John Abercrombie and Jack De Johnette than John Surman's.
If you tend to like Surman for his band-leader's endeavors, leaning towards free-jazz, you will probably love his album "Invisible Nature" (duo with Jack DeJohnette on drums). If you like his solo albums better, on the other hand, there is no better effort than his "Road To Saint Ives" and "The Amezing Adventures Of Simon Simon". Somewhere in between those extremes lies his "Nordic Quartet" (with Terje Rypdal on guitar). I am not a big fan of Karin Krog (also on that album), but I think you'll like all the above albums better than this one. Of course, I have to emphasize, that that is my private opinion and you may have a completely different view on the subject.
I would like to give "Brewster's Rooster" 3 and a half stars, but I need to round it down to just 3 stars.
BTW, I think it would be interesting to hear a new collaboration between Surman and John McLaughlin (with JackDeJohnette or Jon Christensen on drums and perhaps with the addition of Terje Rypdal on another guitar)... |
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 Excellent
Submitted on: 2009-09-12 |
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| Bought as a birthday present, and the recipient has enjoyed it immensely. Thank you! |
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 SURMAN CONTINUES TO MATURE-SOME OF HIS BEST PLAYING YET
Submitted on: 2009-08-15 |
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One disc 64 minutes approximately. The sound is the usual high standards of the ECM label. Each instrument is clean and individual sounding. This particular release has an agreeable warmth to the sound which only helps with the overall feel of this music.
John Surman's credentials go way back,all the way to the sixties SOFT MACHINE era. His playing has only gotten better over the years. The sound of his horns has a very agreeable "human" tone and nuance found in players who have both played a long time,and have actively progressed in their art. While Surman has retained his own sound on his horns,his way of approaching music has matured to a very high level of craftsmanship. From his wonderful playing on his album "Way Back When" in 1969,to the great "Tales of the Algonquin" from 1971,on through his other releases,this is his most mature,best playing yet.
The musicians who accompany Surman on this release are consistently on the same level of playing ability,either on their own,or compositions by others. Besides Surman on baritone and soprano saxes,the great John Abercrombie is on guitar,Drew Gress on double-bass,and the well known jazz drummer Jack DeJohnette.
Seven of the nine tracks are Surman compositions,and all the tracks flow together into a very pleasing whole. Each musician gets time to step forward on his respective instrument,but it's the close interplay of this quartet that elevates this release above other recent releases. It's very apparent that this group is listening to each other-the interplay seems seamless. This is a pleasing combination of straight ahead jazz with a touch of modernism in the arrangements. One thing this release has going for it is that the music doesn't jump out at the listener,it's very subtle,and requires active listener participation in order to appreciate the nuances in the music. There is a steady undercurrent in this music that drives the music forward. Combined with the quiet yet steady,thoughtful playing of each musician,this only gets better on repeated listenings.
This is post modern jazz at it's finest. However,don't let that fool you into thinking this is just another cerebral jazz release from a label known for that. This is accessible to anyone who likes jazz/horn quartets, played by four musicians who are at the top on their respective instruments. These tracks were recorded in 2007 and are only now being released. It's a shame that someone of Surman's credentials is not more well known-he doesn't deserve to be relatively unknown in the jazz world. Jazz of this caliber shouldn't have to wait so long to be heard. |
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surman redux or is he finally letting his true self out...
Submitted on: 2009-08-13 |
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| at last john surman sounds like he's having fun! all involved, abercrombie, dejohnette and gress, are in my opinion, at peak form. a thoroughly swingin', jammin' and at times soothing album. worth the investment! |
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