Nearness Of You - The Ballad Book Is A Double GRAMMY WINNER!!
Congratulations to Michael Brecker on winning his
Nearness of You: The Ballad Book is an extraordinary musical expedition, in which seven time Grammy winner, Michael Brecker explores the poetry and narrative scope of the ballad form. Michael is joined on this moving recording by some of the powerhouses of modern music: Herbie Hancock, Charlie Haden, Jack DeJohnette, and Pat Metheney, who also lends his gifts as producer.
Nearness also features two vocal tracks by James Taylor - the first vocal tracks ever to appear on a Michael Brecker album. Taylor sings the jazz standard "The Nearness of You" and reprises his hit song "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight". This appearance also marks the full circle of a long musical association and friendship: Michael Brecker was featured on the original recording of this song on Taylor's 1972 album One Man Dog, and on four subsequent Taylor albums from that decade.
Nearness of You: The Ballad Book draws from the intimate understanding of the long histories of these great players, and achieves an expansive, meditative, brilliantly hued album that is sublimely beautiful and visceral, impassioned, and uplifting — a peak musical experience.
Produced by Pat Metheny. Co-Produced by Steve Rodby. Executive Producer: Richard Seidel. Music Preparation: Gil Goldstein. Additional Percussion: Dave Samuels. Recorded and Mixed by James Farber. Assistant Engineers: Andrew Fellus, Jason Stasium, Paul Gregory, Timmy Olmstead. Recorded at Right Track Recording, New York, NY December 18-20, 2000. Mixed at Right Track Recording, New York, NY February 7-10, 2001
Nearness of You: The Ballad Book is the seventh studio album by saxophone player Michael Brecker. Accompanied by Herbie Hancock on piano, Pat Metheny on guitars, Charlie Haden on bass, Jack DeJohnette on drums, and a special guest appearance by James Taylor, the album was released by Verve Records on June 19, 2001.
Brecker was awarded his eighth Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo on “Chan’s Song”. Taylor also won his fourth Best Male Pop Vocal Performance Grammy for “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight”. With his win, he became the first American recording artist to garner a win in that category since Michael Bolton in 1992.
1 Chan’s Song (Herbie Hancock) 5:15
2 Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight (James Taylor) 4:43
3 Nascente (Murilo Antunes, Flavio Venturini) 6:18
4 Midnight Mood (Joe Zawinul) 6:22
5 The Nearness of You (Hoagy Carmichael, Ned Washington) 4:37
6 Incandescence (Michael Brecker) 5:21
7 Sometimes I See (Pat Metheny) 5:26
8 My Ship (Kurt Weil, Ira Gershwin) 7:10
9 Always (Irving Berlin) 5:37
10 Seven Days (Pat Metheny) 5:32
11 I Can See Your Dreams (Michael Brecker) 3:50
Bass - Charlie Haden
Drums - Jack DeJohnette
Guitar - Pat Metheny
Piano - Herbie Hancock
Sax - Michael Brecker
Percussion - Dave Samuels
2 Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
Vocals - James Taylor
5 The Nearness of You
Vocals - James Taylor
Producer – Pat Metheny
Co-producer – Steve Rodby
Producer (Executive) – Richard Seidel
Arranged By – Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Michael Brecker (Track 1)
Arranged By – Pat Metheny, Gil Goldstein, Michael Brecker (Tracks 2,4)
Arranged By – Pat Metheny (Track 3,7,10)
Arranged By – Pat Metheny, Gil Goldstein, Herbie Hancock (Track 5)
Arranged By – Michael Brecker, Gil Goldstein (Track 6)
Arranged By – Gil Evans (adapted for quintet by Gil Goldstein) (Track 8)
Arranged By – Larry Goldings (Track 9)
Arranged By – Michael Brecker (Track 11)
Mastered By – Greg Calbi
Mixed By – James Farber
Recorded By – James Farber
Art Direction – Hollis King
Design – Rebecca Meek
Photography – Ken Takewaki, Michael Piazza, Sylvia Otti
Mastered At Sterling Sound, NY
Mixed At Right Track Recording, NY
Recorded At Right Track Recording, NY
Phonographic Copyright The Verve Music Group
Copyright The Verve Music Group
