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Randy Brecker with DR Big Band: Randy Brecker with DR Big Band: The Jazz Ballad Song Book
By
The Jazz Ballad Song Book
HalfNote Records
2011
On The Jazz Ballad Song Book, trumpeter Randy Brecker, the Danish Radio Big Band and Danish National Chamber Orchestra approach the slow, wistful side of this repertoire as one dimension among others. They expand their view outside of standards to include film works, lesser-known tunes and original compositions.
As featured soloist, Brecker displays the colossal tone, impeccable chops and searching impulses that have gifted bands from those led by pianist

Horace Silver
piano1928 - 2014
Brecker stays extroverted, even as the intimacy of trumpeter

Miles Davis
trumpet1926 - 1991

Wynton Kelly
piano1931 - 1971

Wes Montgomery
guitar1923 - 1968

Nelson Riddle
arranger1921 - 1985
Textured charts surround the trumpet heavyweight, flawlessly interpreted by the Danish groups and rarely settling into predictable accompaniment. Several soloists from the DR Big Band also get their own impressive say. Icy violins, biting sax counterpoint and a hard-edged swing on trombonist Peter Jensen's setting of "All Or Nothing At All" torch any sentimental associations of the tune. Pelle Fridell's baritone sax is heard in both half-time and double-time passages, along with allusions to modernist composers during an ominous deconstruction in triple meter. Occasionally some arrangements rely upon cliché, for example the syrupy, vibrato-laden violins of "The Immigrant/Godfather" or the rhythmic but otherwise generic introduction to "Goldfinger," where John Barry's theme proves better suited for screen heroics than studio improvisation.
Yet these moments are few and far between original touches such as a chirpy piccolo leading the elephantine ensemble on "The Immigrant/Godfather," the sleek surfaces of "I Talk To The Trees" or trombonist Vincent Nilsson's arrangement of the little heard but affecting "This Is All I Ask." Following Henrik Gunde's piano, two tightly muted trumpets weave around Brecker's open horn, with dark tuba and tapping triangle underneath. The effect is uncluttered, silken but strong, and builds beautiful tension, before the release of lush strings. When Brecker steps back from double-time for a few halting notes, the effect is similarly arresting. Peter Fuglsang's smooth alto sax dueting with Brecker makes an ideal coda.

Thelonious Monk
piano1917 - 1982
Tracks: All Or Nothing At All; Cry Me a River; Someday My Prince Will Come; Foregone Conclusion; Goldfinger; Skylark; I Talk To The Trees; This Is All I Ask; The Immigrant/Godfather; Round Midnight.
Personnel: Randy Brecker: trumpet; The Danish Radio Big Band; The Danish National Chamber Orchestra. ">
Track Listing
All or Nothing At All; Cry Me a River; Someday My Prince Will Come; Foregone Conclusion; Goldfinger; Skylark; I Talk To the Trees; This is All I Ask; The Immigrant/Godfather; Round Midnight.
Personnel
Randy Brecker
trumpetRandy Brecker: trumpet; The Danish Radio Big Band; The Danish National Chamber Orchestra.
Album information
Title: Randy Brecker with DR Big Band: The Jazz Ballad Song Book | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Half Note Records
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