As Published In Saxophone Journal, Used By Permission.

PAUL BRODIE
AND FRIENDS

Reviewers: Paul Wagner and Joe Viola

Whenever you see the name Paul Brodie on a CD you can be sure that you are in for a great musical time. Certainly the Paul Brodie and Friends CD is no exception. In fact, this CD is an exceptional Paul Brodie sampler, or better put, a compendium of this artist's recording career Paul Brodie's personality permeates all the music to a point that music comes alive in the performance. He proves that it is not sufficient to merely play the notes and phrasing perfectly but the true artist must extend beyond the physical limitations of the written page and carry the listener to the transcendental world where the music is alive.

The music must be a true melding of the performer and composer. It must carry all the human passions and humor. It must shift moods with each piece and authenticate the inner being while being a true refreshment for the imagination. This is something that Paul Brodie does in every performance. He cajoles the listener into this state regardless of style or style within seconds. This is the hallmark of a master and it is stamped on every performance of Paul Brodie.

Paul Brodie's early musical training occurred in Regina, Saskatchewan where he was a member of the Regina Lions Junior Band. He studied with Larry Teal at the University of Michigan and Marcel Mule at the Paris Conservatory. In 196O he hit the concert trail and thirty-seven years later he looks like the American Automobile Association's pocket travel guide to the world. In addition to his outstanding performances he took the time from his busy schedule to create and establish The World Saxophone Congress, with the help of Eugene Rousseau. Even more important is the time he has spent helping the children of the world to know and love the whole saxophone family.

In 1994 the Governor General of Canada appointed Paul Brodie as an "Officer of  The Order of Canada." The award was given for his "outstanding achievement, honoring those who have given service to Canada, to their fellow citizens and to humanity at large." Now that says it all. The saxophone and music are a much better place today because of Paul Brodie. The concert program for this CD is an eclectic tapestry of this artist's vast recording repertoire. The listener will hear everything from extreme passion to a delightful toe tapping tongue-in-cheek romping through the lighter side of the human experience.

Paul Brodie has an exquisite sound that is extremely flexible. The sound is full round and beautifully resonant. However when it comes to Canadian down home folk song fun, it is like a different soloist has taken control of the saxophone. You can hear the twinkle in the soloists eye and almost hear the light hearted laughter in his soul as he playfully romps through the jolly folk tunes performed on the CD. Also he leads on this tour with the sopranino, soprano, alto, and bass saxophones. This proves to be a fascinating excursion performed with such personal warmth that only the inimitable style of Paul Brodie can deliver.

He is the master of each of the different horns and allows each of their varied personalities to come forth. Each horn has been placed in a perfect setting with accompaniment that is equal to occasion. The sopranino has a beautiful warm sound on Sonata Number Six by Handel. The lines float effortlessly through the air accompanied beautifully by organist Eric Robertson. The soprano is displayed on the Telemann Canonic Duet Number Two with none other than Jean-Marie Londeix being the other half of the duo on tenor saxophone.

The Paul Brodie Saxophone Quartet recorded four albums for Golden Crest Records in the 1970's and is represented by Debussy's Clair De Lune and a Gershwin Medley. Once again Paul Brodie's versatility extends to the other members of the quartet as they deliver a beautiful performance of the Debussy and the switched gears for an authentic playful romp with the Gershwin Medley. Perhaps the most playful piece is Country Waltz on bass saxophone with the Scottish Accent Band. This particular selection will cheer up even the severely depressed saxophonists.

Paul Brodie takes the saxophone through so many different settings on this CD that each band on the CD puts you into a whole new world. One of the more exciting is Paul Brodie's use of the soprano saxophone and the harp. Debussy's La Plus Que Lente and Ravel's Piece En Forme De Habenera are the selections  performed by soprano and harp. The sound is captivating and enthralling. The harpist Erica Goodman provides the accompaniment for the soprano saxophone. The soprano and harp is captivating and is a combination to be explored in the future. This CD is a must for all saxophonists. It is a brief history of the recording career of one of the most influential saxophonists in the western hemisphere.

Your collection of recordings could never be complete without this CD and if you somehow have not come across a Paul Brodie recording then this is the perfect place to start.
 
 

Saxophone Journal May/June 1998