A while back I was asked to give my top 10 albums from a prospective of faith and spirit. Only 10?? Ya I could do it. So Here it is...
My Top 10 Recordings
1. Travels (Pat Metheny Group Live) I love this album, plain and simple. It represents a dividing line in Pat’s and the group’s timeline ( as most live albums do). The opening track is the extended version of Off Ramp’s “Are You Going With Me” and is a brilliant display of building on an idea and of patience. By the peak of Pat’s guitar synth solo we are at fever pitch. I have often timed the start of this album to finish just as I reach a fishing destination. Puts me in the right state of mind to fling flies at fussy trout. Most people feel instrumental music doesn’t challenge the listener. But I can’t imagine anyone missing the intensity of this piece and either being drawn in or repulsed (and what good art doesn’t do either or both)
2. Officium Latin word with various meanings, including "service", "(sense of) duty", "courtesy", "ceremony" (Jan Garbarek/The Hilliard Ensemble) Garbarek, a Norwegian jazz saxophonist and The Hilliard Ensemble, a British male vocal quartet devoted to the performance of early music. They combined Gregorian Chant with improvised saxophone. One of the record labels (ECM) biggest sellers. Faith based music mixed with improvisation, what more could I ask for?
3. 80/81 (Pat Metheny, Charlie Haden, Jack Dejohnette, Micheal Brecker and Dewey Redman) So much diversity in sound-scapes, dynamics and genre bending. Straight jazz, folk fusion or free jazz. I cannot think of an overt spiritual reason to include this in my list I just know this music speaks to my soul.
4. Unforgettable (Joe Pass) Just the man in a studio with a nylon string guitar. Just two years before succumbing to cancer and released 4 years after his death. His chops are fading but the passion is so there. He knows he is dying and plays like it. Not dissimilar to Micheal Brecker’s last album, Pilgrimage, before his passing. The only difference is Joe is doing it on solo guitar so the fire is understated.
5. Signals (Rush) Nothing was greater for my teenaged sprit than finding out that “Any escape might help to smooth the unattractive truth. But the suburbs have no charms to soothe the restless dreams of youth.”
6. The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (Genesis) in progressive rock there are two defining things; epic tunes pushing 10 minutes and the ‘concept’ album. Lyrically based on some dreams of Peter Gabriel the story hints at mysticism, self discovery, good vs. evil and fear.
7. Animals (Pink Floyd). The popularity of other Pink Floyd albums overshadows this short Orwellian style attack on capitalism in the form of yet another concept album. Sandwiched between Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Here and The Wall (and subsequent band breakup) this album was forgotten by most but resonated in me so much more. Portraying the upper class of our society, and those who emulated their behavior, as various types of animals really helped my self worth and validated my lack of interest in things material. In today’s climate of ‘dog equals pig equals baby’ portraying heads of corporations as farm animals might be considered unfair to the animals.
8. Mingus (Joni Mitchell) Joni had studied composition with Charles Mingus. Later, Mingus called upon Joni Mitchell in the last months of his life to work on a musical version of T.S. Elliot's Four Quartets, a project which, ultimately, was scrapped but served as the catalyst to Joni's "Mingus" album. Initial recordings for this album were done with other musicians, but Joni settled upon an all-star cast of Jaco Pastorious on bass, Herbie Hancock piano, Wayne Shorter saxophones , Peter Erskine drumset and Don Alias on percussion. The album has 6 tunes, 4 of which were Mingus compositions that Joni penned lyrics for including Goodbye Pork Pie Hat. Sadly, Mingus died before this album was completed but he heard every piece except (ironically) God Must Be a Boogie Man. This tune alone stands as a valid question mark to anyone’s faith and a great poke at God’s gifts of music, genius, humour and doubt.
“The plan, oh the cock-eye plan! God must be a boogie man”
9. The Bridge (Sonny Rollins) in 1959 Rollins retired from music, reportedly uncomfortable with his quick rise in fame that he felt unworthy of. Out from hiatus he comes and in 1962 with this record. A must have for any jazz fan. Spiritually, the concept of ‘going back to the shed’ after having made it and re-emerging 3 years later just blows my mind. What guts, what dedication!
10. Miserere (Henryk Mikolaj Górecki) inspired by the Polish militia’s overreaction to civil unrest in 1981 Górecki wrote this vocal piece based on one line; Domine Deus noster Miserere nobis (Lord our God have mercy on us) The variations, dynamics, harmonies are as brilliant as they are inspiring. Not for casual listening!
Winnipeg Music Studio
