| Characters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | May 1978 [1] | |||
| Recorded | November 1977 | |||
| Studio | Talent Studios Oslo, Norway | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 44:54 | |||
| Label | ECM 1117 | |||
| Producer | Manfred Eicher | |||
| John Abercrombie chronology | ||||
| ||||
Characters is a solo album by guitarist John Abercrombie, recorded in May 1977 and released on ECM Records in May of the following year. [2]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
| The Penguin Guide to Jazz |  [4] |
| The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide | [5] |
The AllMusic review by Robert Taylor stated: "Abercrombie makes excellent use of space within both his compositions and solos. Upon the first listen there may not appear to be very much here; however, this music needs to be absorbed over several listens to appreciate Abercrombie's brilliance." [3]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz gave the album 3½ stars, stating, "Characters was Abercrombie's most overt manifesto and calling-card, a demonstration of styles and moods and, even at this point in his career, influences too." [4]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide called the album "a tremendous solo display of Abercrombie's acoustic/electric guitar and mandolin playing." [5]
All tracks are written by John Abercrombie
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Parable" | 10:40 |
| 2. | "Memoir" | 3:13 |
| 3. | "Telegram" | 4:35 |
| 4. | "Backward Glance" | 4:37 |
| 5. | "Ghost Dance" | 7:01 |
| 6. | "Paramour" | 3:51 |
| 7. | "After Thoughts" | 3:22 |
| 8. | "Evensong" | 7:35 |
Pat Metheny Group is the debut album by the Pat Metheny Group, recorded in January 1978 and released on ECM in March that same year. The quartet features rhythm section Lyle Mays, Mark Egan, and Danny Gottlieb.
New Chautauqua is a solo album by jazz guitarist Pat Metheny, recorded in August 1978 and released on ECM in April 1979.
Timeless is the debut album by American jazz guitarist John Abercrombie, recorded over two days in June 1974 and released on ECM the following year. The trio features organist Jan Hammer and drummer Jack DeJohnette.
New Directions is an album by Jack DeJohnette, recorded in June 1978 and released on ECM later that year. The quartet features trumpeter Lester Bowie, guitarist John Abercrombie, and bassist Eddie Gomez.
In Europe is a live album by Jack DeJohnette and New Directions recorded in June 1979 and released on ECM September the following year. The quartet features trumpeter Lester Bowie, guitarist John Abercrombie, and bassist Eddie Gómez.
Gateway 2 is the second album by Gateway, recorded in July 1977 and released on ECM the following year. The trio features guitarist John Abercrombie and rhythm section Dave Holland and Jack DeJohnette.
Gateway is the debut album by jazz trio Gateway recorded in March 1975 and released on ECM the following year. The trio consists guitarist John Abercrombie, bassist Dave Holland and drummer Jack DeJohnette.
Un Poco Loco is an album by American jazz vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, recorded in 1979 and released on the Columbia label. The album was Hutcherson's last for Columbia.
Drum Ode is an album by American jazz saxophonist Dave Liebman recorded in May 1974 and released on ECM the following year. The ensemble, thirteen strong, consists guitarist John Abercrombie, pianist Richard Beirach, bassist Gene Perla, eight percussionists—Bob Moses, Jeff Williams, Patato Valdez, Barry Altschul, Steve Sattan, Badal Roy, Collin Walcott, and Ray Armandox—and singer Eleana Sternberg.
Cloud Dance is the debut album by American sitarist and composer Collin Walcott, recorded in March 1976 and released on ECM the following year. The quartet features rhythm section John Abercrombie, Dave Holland and Jack DeJohnette, the three of whom recorded their self-titled debut, Gateway that same month.
Pictures is an album by American jazz drummer composer Jack DeJohnette recorded in February 1976 and released on ECM the following year, featuring DeJohnette playing drums, piano and organ, with guest appearances by guitarist John Abercrombie on "Pictures 3–5".
Sargasso Sea is an album by American jazz guitarists John Abercrombie and Ralph Towner, recorded in May 1976 and released on ECM later that year.
Grazing Dreams is the second album by American sitarist and composer Collin Walcott, recorded in February 1977 and released on ECM later that year. Walcott's quintet features trumpeter Don Cherry and rhythm section John Abercrombie, Palle Danielsson and Dom Um Romão.
Arcade is an album by the John Abercrombie Quartet, recorded in December 1978 and released on ECM the following year. The quartet features pianist Richie Beirach and rhythm section George Mraz and Peter Donald.
Abercrombie Quartet is an album by the Abercrombie Quartet recorded in November 1979 and released on ECM the following year. The quartet features guitarist John Abercrombie with rhythm section Richie Beirach, George Mraz and Peter Donald.
M is an album by the Abercrombie Quartet recorded in November 1980 and released on ECM the following year. the quartet features guitarist John Abercrombie and pianist Richie Beirach with rhythm section George Mraz and Peter Donald.
Solo Concert is a live solo album by American guitarist Ralph Towner recorded at the Amerika Haus in München, Germany and Limmathaus in Zürich, Switzerland in October 1979 and released on ECM the following year.
Eventyr is an album by Norwegian jazz saxophonist and composer Jan Garbarek recorded in December 1980 and released on ECM September the following year. The trio features guitarist John Abercrombie and percussionist Naná Vasconcelos.
Five Years Later is a collaborative album by American jazz guitarists Ralph Towner and John Abercrombie, recorded in March 1981 and released on ECM February the following year.
Night is an album by guitarist John Abercrombie, recorded in 1984 and released on the ECM November later that year. The quartet features saxophonist Michael Brecker, keyboardist Jan Hammer, and drummer Jack DeJohnette.
