Richard Mohr reviews American Dreams
This dreamy record feels like the culmination of bassist Hadens lifelong affair with the scenery and culture of the American heartland. A quartet featuring Brad Mehldau and Brian Blade , plus a 34 piece orchestra, paint a pastoral landscape with compositions including Haden, Pat Metheny, Dave Grusin and past Haden employers Ornette Coleman, Keith Jarrett and Pat Metheny, all of whom could be said to share Hadens fascination with American imagery and mythology.
Brecker of course is outstanding on tenor, but everyone distinguishes themselves on a recording that wears its sentimentality as a badge of honour. Charming.
Richard Mohr is from Readings Port Melbourne