Search - Dave Brubeck :: Brubeck Quartet at Carnegie Hall

BRUBECK QUARTETS BEST

daddyojazz | NYC | 01/07/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First of all, this album was made during the Brubeck's Quartet biggest popularity.The LPs "Time Out" and "Countdown Time in Outer Space" were very popular not only on the Jazz charts but on the Pop charts as well. People who wouldn't know a jazz refrain if it hit them in the head were turned on to Brubeck's music. Which I always found odd because Dave was getting into funky time signatures that could get even the most seasoned jazz fan annoyed. However, that being the case Columbia records at the time was trying to be faithful to live concerts (considering the debacle of the "Ellington at Newport" set where only 10% of the actual concert was on the original LP.) The original issue of this set was a double LP with over 90 minutes of music(in 1963 this was a coup in itself). And the concert itself was something of a miracle that it came off because there was a newspaper strike in NYC(not a bus strike which another reviewer mentioned). One more comment about this set, the LP was beautifully recorded with crystal clear stereo seperation and the slightest ping on Joe Morello's drum could be heard in the acoustically perfect old Carnegie Hall. Believe me, the CD does not improve the sound, in fact, if I may be so bold, the LP sounds better than the CD. For the music itself, Brubeck and Co were never better. Paul Desmond's light, lyrical and whimisical alto was always the perfect foil for Dave's somewhat heavyhanded piano playing.Eugene Wright's bass is understated but he does have a wonderful showcase in "Southern Scene". And like most people in the other reviews the real star of this set is Joe Morello. I have heard a lot of drum soli in my 40 plus yrs listening to jazz and rock but on record there is not a better drum solo anywhere than what you get on "Castillian Drums". With all due respect to Max,Buddy,Louie,Gene,et al., this is the top. "Blue Rondo a la Turk" is another hilite to the concert. Desmond goes flying to the stratosphere on this on and even Dave has a scrumtious solo on this. It seems I'm knocking Dave alot. Not really, I do enjoy him in the quartet and writing segments of his art, it's is solos' that annoy me sometimes. He just pounds on that piano but than he can play so nicely when he wants to, "For All We Know" is a good example. Unfortunately, this CD is only available as an import but it is worth the price if you want to by one of the best live jazz concerts ever."

There Can Only Be One!

cerburus@mail.cyberzone.net | Connecticut, USA | 08/30/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If I could only own one live jazz album, this would be it. In fact, it is probably the most "alive" live album of any genre in my collection. The Quartet attacks "Take Five". I consider this version a whole new piece that shares the title with the original version. "Blue Rondo" is played at a pace that is simply amazing (to listen to, and to try to emulate yourself) Buy it!!! -I would like to point all Quartet and jazz fans to a well hidden Quartet gem I have discovered. Side one of "Berstein Plays Brubeck Plays Berstein" has been included on an album entitled "Berstein Century - Berstein on Jazz - Handy, Brubeck". This is a performance of "Dialogues for Jazz Combo and Orchestra" featuring the Quartet with Leonard Bernstein & the New York Philharmonic. Dave's brother Howard is the composer. It is another of my Quartet favorites that I have waited a long time to hear on CD. You will have to search under Classical Music\Howard Brubeck (which is why I bring it up here) to find it. Check it out!!!"

The Best Album of Dave Brubeck, period.

William Oliver | Palo Alto, CA United States | 12/18/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A magical event. I had the original reel to reel tape of this concert growing up. I learned to play drums listening to Joe Morello's drumming on this album. There is no better album by Dave Brubeck. Buy this immediately before it disappears again (as it did for some years.)"