Talk:Michael Brecker

The discography, again
I believe the discography needs some work, it is rather confusing. In my humble opinion: 1.) All solo albums should be listed in their own category. 2.) The albums of bands Michael co-led should be listed in their separate category, i.e. The Brecker Brother and Steps/Steps Ahead. 3.) The Sideman listing should link to a separate page, i.e. The "Complete Discography already linked. 4. one could include a very selective sideman discography with two categories: 1.) pop albums including MB solos (no point listing records where he just plays in the horn section), i.e. things like Paul Simon's "Still Crazy", Donald Fagens "Maxine", james Taylors "Don't let me be lonely" etc. also, some of the later Cameo records (Word Up and Machismo that both feature extensive MB solos). 2.) Notable jazz recordings, like Chick Coreas 2 quartets of Pat Methenys 80/81, where MB played a major role. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 58.11.100.32 (talk) 05:54, 7 June 2012 (UTC)

Sideman Listing
While I appreciate the immense effort that obviously went into the sideman listing, I think it's insanely large and unwieldy for any encyclopedia article. Wikipedia isn't about discographies, and if we insist on listing every recorded performance by each musician then we're quickly going to quadruple the size of many musician-related articles. I think the sideman listing should be removed from this article. What do other editors think? Cribcage 05:26, 29 October 2006 (UTC)
 * Absent any response, I have removed the section. Cribcage 03:16, 13 November 2006 (UTC)
 * SUPPORT Although, it's after the fact I concur with your choice. dq 18:09, 15 November 2006 (UTC)
 * I agree on the too large sideman discography. Therefore I added a link to it which I will try to keep up to date. Louis —Preceding unsigned comment added by Habanera (talk • contribs) 11:36, Nov 20, 2006 (UTC)
 * I disagree about the sideman listing. Almost no one on earth has played on as many records as Brecker ; that is one of the many unique and influential things about him.  The list isn't hurting anyone.  I added it originally, and many people have added to it over the last 18 months.  Please update it.  And please do not delete it. Brecker fan —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.171.36.27 (talk • contribs) 06:40, Nov 30, 2006 (UTC)
 * Does the same go for Ron Carter, then, with his exceptionally unwieldy 2,500 albums? --DonES 08:38, 2 December 2006 (UTC)
 * Indeed. The consensus above reflects Wikipedia policy with regard to size, and the current revision includes a hyperlink to the complete sideman discography for anyone who is interested — which is precisely the solution prescribed by Wikipedia standards. As I said above, I appreciate and respect the time and effort invested in compiling the list, but those concerns aren't relevant to resolving the question of whether the material meets Wikipedia's requirements. Please consult here, and here. I hope you understand that no one is criticizing your work; on the contrary, I think it's great that you're a fan of Brecker's music — but the article must conform to Wikipedia policy. If you still disagree, you are welcome to open a Request For Comment to solicit wider input, or you can consult this page for further options. Thanks. Cribcage 06:13, 12 December 2006 (UTC)
 * I don't think your argument holds water. Wikipedia standards expressly allow -- indeed, encourage -- lists.  They're very informative and go to the heart of Wikipedia's mission.  And we're still below the size marker for over-long entries.  Please read the standards before citing them.  Moreover, it's quite arrogant of you to claim consensus where there is none.  I obviously disagree with your opinion.  You're not the god of Wikipedia, so please let the status quo rule until things are resolved. Brecker fan —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.167.146.15 (talk • contribs) 17:20, Dec 18, 2006 (UTC)
 * Your last series of edits violate Wikipedia's Neutral Point of View (NPOV) policy. Please read that page to understand why Wikipedia cannot publish comments like, "Michael Brecker is probably the most respected and imitated jazz saxophonist." If you can find a citation for that statement, perhaps we can compromise with something like, "According to Down Beat, Michael Brecker is the most imitated saxophonist." Regarding the sideman issue: You'll note that, in the comments above, we have 3 votes against including the sideman discography, and only 1 vote in favor — and please note that the current version does include an external link to that discography. As I explained above, if you still disagree, you have several options, including WP:RFC. In the meantime, please read WP:OWN and WP:NPA — and please sign your posts. Thanks. Cribcage 17:37, 27 December 2006 (UTC)
 * If someone cares enough about Ron's work to compile the list, I'm 100% in favor of it being included on Wikipedia. There's no harm in having it, and it can be incredibly informative. Brecker fan —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.171.36.27 (talk • contribs) 21:58, Dec 3, 2006 (UTC)

I strongly disagree: There is plenty of harm in retaining it: it ruins the integrity of the entire article. I don't see how it can be very much more "informative" than the phone book. The phone book has its place, of course, but the phone book and an encyclopedia are very different things. (Notice that the unsigned commentator directly above is the same person who earlier admits to concocting the list in the first place, which doesn't change the poll results). TheScotch 11:13, 14 January 2007 (UTC)

Can I raise a small point - under the heading ercordings with Brecker Brothers, you don't list the album 'East River' - can you check this out? I thought that this was a pretty famous album.

Request for Comment
Several editors disagree about whether Michael Brecker should include a complete list of all 700+ albums that Brecker has played on as a sideman. The point at issue is whether we should republish the complete list from a fan site, or whether we should just provide an external link to that list. See comparison. 18:29, 27 December 2006 (UTC)
 * See comments above. I maintain that an external link is appropriate. Note that Habanera, who commented above, appears to be the webmaster who compiled the original list. Cribcage 18:29, 27 December 2006 (UTC)
 * A discography of the artists own albums on their own page is enough. Such a list, like that at All Music Guide, is sufficent. Albums that the artist has appeared on as part of a group/band should be listed/referenced in the article pertaining to that band, such as albums listed as being by Becker Brothers or Steps Ahead. If articles on such bands are not yet created, perhaps they should, as long as they conform to the five pillars of Wikipedia. -- moe.RON   Let's talk  19:23, 27 December 2006 (UTC)


 * More information is good. If it ends up overbalancing this article, then just separate it into its own and softlink. &brvbar; Reisio 07:42, 28 December 2006 (UTC)


 * I don't think we should try to have complete lists that run into the hundreds, or even the scores. The biggest problem with long lists is that they're impossible for anybody to verify improperly added information -- anyone can add things, or see missing things, but nobody can tell when something is wrong. Much better to link to an external source. (I'm coming in from the RFC.  Also, this is the general policy for academics, actors, porn stars, and so on; anybody who is likely to have bajillions of contributed works. --lquilter 01:08, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Brecker sideman listing
The sideman discography was not created by me, but I did add a lot of recordings to it when it was on wikipedia. I used the last update to put on my website and keep it up to date where possible. I still agree this is a good way to have an additional overview of the work of Michael Brecker.

Louis Gerrits--nightwings 13:56, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

Hate to be the bearer of bad news
I'm afraid to tell you that Michael Brecker has died. Much love to his family.

That's so incredibly sad. Music has truly lost an exceptional contributor today. --DonES 07:31, 14 January 2007 (UTC)

Mike's music lives on. A legacy to be proud of. (I got to see him and Randy...IN PHILLY...back in the late 70s).

I don't quite understand. It says Mr Brecker died on the 13th, but that he wsa awarded his nominations posthumously on the 6th? Can someone check that.

86.8.193.177 (talk) 23:20, 8 February 2008 (UTC)Will Peveler 02/08/08

Discography & filmography
I believe that the filmography really is one. I'm tired of reverting well-meaning changes to 'discography': would someone who knows more about Brecker investigate, & if it is indeed the case leave a hidden note, please. Rothorpe (talk) 19:28, 4 March 2010 (UTC)


 * You're right; that is a filmography and not a discography (and as one of the well-meaning editors who made such a change, I apologize). However, wouldn't it make more sense to include the discography, as Brecker was more a musician than an actor? While the Selected filmography has highlights of concerts, I think that a Selected discography would be more useful, as the article lacks a list of albums he made. The filmography should be either secondary on this article, or removed and added to his discography article. Lәo(βǃʘʘɱ) 00:18, 5 March 2010 (UTC)

Indeed that would be the best solution. The current situation inevitably creates confusion. I think there used to be a selected discography, and it was only after it was replaced by a 'See also' that the problem began. Rothorpe (talk) 00:39, 5 March 2010 (UTC)

Please add Chick Corea's "Three Quartets" to Michael's sideman discography. Thank you. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Mitch Kahle (talk • contribs) 01:15, 21 March 2019 (UTC)

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External links modified
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Michael Brecker sideman
In 1976 Brecker is credited with being the sax player on the album by Pavlovs Dog, at the sound of the Bell. 194.207.89.140 (talk) 17:43, 19 April 2023 (UTC)