| Jazz |
This is the third release from Brubeck Editions, the official label of the Brubeck family. Previous releases include “Time OutTakes” (2020) and “Live From Vienna 1967” (2022). Each release is proudly and meticulously edited, mixed, and remastered, available on 180-gram vinyl, CD, and digital formats.
This album is a true delight for various reasons. Firstly, it showcases the genius of Dave Brubeck, who takes ownership of jazz standards, reimagines them, and infuses them with an incomparable swing and groove. All of this is captured on a recording of exceptionally high quality for its time, making it enjoyable on any chosen format.
Starting with an energetic and beautiful rendition of “When The Saints Go Marching in”, one is carried away by the mastery of jazz, especially since none of the tracks that brought him success are featured here. This allows for a bias-free enjoyment, and the pleasure of discovery is complete with “From The Northwest, 1959.” This collection of recordings from two electrifying concerts celebrates the unique sound and outstanding production of the iconic quartet in the 1950s. Dave Brubeck’s legendary piano refrains dance with the fluid melodic invention of alto saxophonist Paul Desmond, while the rhythm section, comprised of bassist Eugene Wright and drummer Joe Morello, provides the perfect balance between support and rhythmic invention.
Recorded on April 4th and 5th, 1959, at the Multnomah Hotel in Portland and Clark College Auditorium, this concert, unknown to the speaker until today, remains strangely modern. Brubeck’s visionary approach, not just in the choice of acoustic instruments but also in his timeless artistry, contributes to the enduring success of this group. The warmth of tube mixers doesn’t diminish the excellence of this jazz ensemble, and the recordings capture the ambiance of a live performance, complete with the clinking of ice, muffled conversations, enthusiastic applause, and, most importantly, incredible musicality.
One year before the speaker’s birth, Wally felt armed with an Ampex 350-2 two-track tape recorder, two high-quality Telefunken Model U-47 microphones, and additional equipment, set out to capture the Dave Brubeck Quartet in full swing. He successfully recorded the group in the live setting of the famous Multnomah Hotel in Portland, capturing four sets over two nights. The result is an album that not only features the musical brilliance but also the ambiance of the live experience.
How could one not appreciate such an album? Naturally deemed “Indispensable” by the editorial teams of Bayou Blue Radio and Paris-Move, the suggestion is to consider purchasing the vinyl for the perfect sonic experience. However, the CD version is also highly enjoyable.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, January 12th 2024
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