American Dreams

Michael Brecker, Charlie Haden, Charlie Haden with Michael Brecker | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 1, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Umvd Labels
• ASIN: B00006IWGS
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,604 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

HADEN CHARLIE / BRECKER MICHAEL AMERICAN DREAMS

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars In My Opinion, April 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: American Dreams (Audio CD)

I came to love Charlie Haden's work when listening to his collaboration with Pat Methany on "Beyond the Missouri Sky". Unlike the vast openness evoked by that offering, "American Dream" nonetheless creates some similarly intimate moments. Several of the songs are somewhat too shallow in interpretation. However, I didn't realize that for a long time because I couldn't seem to get past the title song. What lushness! How achingly beautiful are the strings with the bass, creating such a mood of mellow, it's ridiculous. After a constant diet of trak #1 for a week, I moved on to discover that traks 4 and 6 also held my attention for a long time. All in all, the cd is worth having in one's collection. Don't make the mistake of comparing it with some of Haden's earlier work, just take it for what it is, and be content to go along for the ride -- just don't expect any revelations. :)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars America's Greatest Bass Player Plays America, January 16, 2004

By 

John D. Dooley "PhiloX" (Southern California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: American Dreams (Audio CD)

Charlie Haden is my favorite Jazz Bass Player, starting out as the youngest member of the 1960ish extreme Avant Guard Jazz group Ornette Coleman, to mellowing out during the 1980's & 1990's with Quartet West intermixing famous jazz ballads with modern production. Lately Charlie Haden as been playing interpret settings with the newest generation of young jazz players, coming full circle where he is the old man of the duet, first with Pat Metheny & then Kenny Barron. This CD with his newest Quartet with Michael Brecker, Brian Blade, & Brad Mehldau, returns to the sound of Quartet West string section but with the freshness of his duets. At times the Jazz will get off the beat & sound rather abstract, but not as wild as Be-Bop. Other times the music gets a little too sugary, specially "America the Beautiful" which I heard twice & plan to skip at next listen. Other than that, this CD is well produced & plays clear & tight.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A dream too sweet for its own good., March 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: American Dreams (Audio CD)

If you marveled at the masterfully crafted piano/bass duo of "Night and the City," or if the evocative americana of "Beyond the Missouri Sky" sent you traveling through familiar yet eerily beautiful soundscapes, be forewarned: this one's made of different stuff . Listening to this recording, the adjective that comes to mind is "cloying." Haden's earlier effort, "Nocturne", had come perilously close, but "America the Beautiful" definitely crosses the line. This music is far too sweet, too syrupy, too shallow - the only exception, ironically enough, being the title tune, which exudes a kind of stately grace and an inner strength which I find quite moving (and for which I give this CD its second star.)