The Dave Brubeck Quartet: At Carnegie Hall

Jim Santella

Senior Contributor since 1997

Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues, The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.

Recent articles (1,677 total)

Published: April 1, 2001

In his original liner notes for this incredible 1963 session, George T. Simon discusses the music with Dave Brubeck in detail. Brubeck says, "Remember, everything has to be just right for every man in the group if the entire concert is really to come off." And it did. Originally released as Columbia [C2S 826], this 2-disc set is now available on CD. The quartet finds its groove on the first number and turns out a session where each man improvises freely throughout. Interaction, of course, came naturally to the close-knit group. The acoustics of Carnegie Hall served to provide a full, rich sound, while the wild applause makes you feel as if you were there.

Two full sets with a "Take Five" encore comprise a winning program. Our appetite for complex rhythms gets satisfied, both in the quartet's blues-tinged groove and through their compositions in 11/4, 9/8, 5/4 and alternating meters. "King for a Day" features bassist Gene Wright, and "Castilian Drums" features drummer Joe Morello. After the drummer's powerfully creative nine–minute solo, Brubeck places tongue in cheek and informs the audience, "We won't ask much of him on this [next] tune, because all I have to do is play in 9/8 time." This is timeless music from a classic ensemble. Goosebumps are guaranteed.

Track Listing: St. Louis Blues; Bossa Nova U.S.A.; For All We Know; Pennies From Heaven; Southern Scene (Briar Bush); Three to Get Ready (and Four to Go); Eleven-Four; It's a Raggy Waltz; King for a Day; Castilian Drums; Blue Rondo a la Turk; Take Five.

Personnel: Dave Brubeck- piano; Paul Desmond- alto saxophone; Eugene Wright- bass; Joe Morello- drums.

Record Label: Columbia Records
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream