Dave Brubeck /Quartet At Carnegie Hall ( HQ 180g vinyl 2LP )

Release date: 30-10-2013(originally released in 1963)

2013 EU reissue 180g vinyl 2LP in gatefold sleeve- Many critics regard Dave Brubeck’s Carnegie Hall concert from February of 1963 as his greatest ever live appearance. But who can really determine that? For no one – apart from Brubeck himself – would have seen and heard his conservatively estimated 12,000 concerts.

Although the twelve titles had already been released on LPs that had been recorded in the studio, these records were certainly not known to all those in the audience. In between the numbers on each LP, Brubeck made little 'advertising spots' in short comments, but with such charm and wit that one really cannot be angry with him.

The concert program begins with "St. Louis Blues" and ends with "Take Five." Luckily, the solos are distributed among all the musicians, so that Paul Desmond and Joe Morello – whose prowess on this evening can only be called 'amazingly good' – justifiably received enthusiastic applause from both the audience and us alike.

"Castilian Drums" demonstrates Morello’s wealth of ideas and his grandiose feeling for rhythm; though short, Paul Desmond’s solos ("Southern Scene" is a good example!) are compelling, highly melodic, lyrical and possess a unique tone – as such they are immediately recognisable.

How fortunate that the twelve brilliantly improvised numbers are now available once again on vinyl, having been recorded live at the legendary Carnegie Hall 50 years ago!

Tracks:

LP1
A1 St. Louis Blues
A2 Bossa Nova U.S.A.
A3 For All We Know

B1 Pennies From Heaven
B2 Southern Scene
B3 Three To Get Ready

LP2

C1 Eleven-Four
C2 King For A Day
C3 Castilian Drums

D1 It's A Raggy Waltz
D2 Blue Rondo A La Turk
D3 Take Five

Musicians:
- Dave Brubeck (piano)
- Paul Desmond (alto saxophone)
- Eugene Wright (bass)
- Joe Morello (drums)