MIchael Brecker : Favorite Solo

[VJP]

In honor of Michael Brecker, what are your favorite solos of his?

For me:

"Still Crazy after All These Years" by Paul Simon. Probably his "simplest", shortest, fewest notes solo, but man it's unbelievable. Just listened to it tonight and almost cried thinking he was gone.

"Pools" from the first domestic U.S. Steps Ahead release. Kiler, Killer, KIller!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Richard Lindsey]

I have a longstanding affection for the solo he played on the first part of "Two Folk Songs," off Pat Metheny's 80/81. What still makes me laugh with pleasure when I hear it is the way Brecker starts out playing "nice" ... then there's an obvious spot in his solo where a switch is flipped or something, and Brecker just seems to say, "aw screw it," and proceeds to screech, holler, and tear the tune a new one. Just magic.

He's done many great solos since then, and I have no doubt he'd have said he'd played hundreds or thousands of better solos than that one in the course of his life. But that solo from the Metheny record is special to me.