Customer Reviews

Brubeck Quartet at Carnegie Hall

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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.

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!!!

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.)

I bought the original double album box set (mono version) in 1963 and, with the advent of CDs, have been waiting patiently for the re-release of this truly wonderful concert recording. My CD rack now contains what, in my humble opinion, is one of the finest live jazz recordings ever made. A bonus is being able to program Disc 2 to play the tracks in original concert order. A definite must for not only Brubeck fans, but for any jazz buff's collection.

In 1992, I had the fortune to talk with Dave Brubeck and his manager, Russell Gloydd. After signing the TIME SIGNATURES: A RETROSPECT multi-CD album, that includes some of the concert pieces from CARNEGIE HALL, and a Stereo Review Magazine review, I asked him if he would ever release all of the CARNEGIE HALL album on CD? At that time, Dave said no. But aren't we glad now, that he said yes to a CD run recently! Having owned a REEL to REEL copy, I have been looking forward to seeing a CD of the Quartet at CARNEGIE HALL in the 'catalog' for sometime. I'm glad it's finally here. I can't wait to receive it and put on CASTILIAN DRUMS. This 13 1/2 min piece, has an 8 min plus drum solo in it that will knock your socks off! It has four separate beats in the solo at the same time! Joe Morello is a great drummer. Not bad for a one-time violinist.! I'm glad he gave up that and went to drums. I agree with the other reviewers! From the start of ST. LOUIS BLUES till the end with TAKE FIVE, the group's now famous signature piece by Paul Desmond , you will hear the electricity in the air of that 1963 performance. The rare reel to reel copy I had contained the entire groups' autographs, but unfortunately, that tape was stolen. I hope they enjoy it? The liner notes by Dave Brubeck give some insight to the groups' performance that night and what was going on in the world in '63. Hope you enjoy this album as much as I do? This is a MUST HAVE DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET album! Caution: this album causes "Lead Foot". Do not use in car. I got a ticket going 75 in a 55, listening to an old 8-track in a 1968 Olds 442!

The Dave Brubeck Quartet made jazz an acceptable commodity to the general public and, in doing so, became involuntary pariahs in the closed world of the hardened jazz fan. The "Live at Carnegie Hall" album was probably the quartets greatest ever live performance...It was one of those nights when everything worked. I remember reading the sleeve notes when I first bought the album and listening to the first track, "St Louis Blues" wondered what all the fuss was about. But all of a sudden it was as if the four players fused and found that often looked for "zone". The electricity that was being generated by the group was captured by the audience and one can only imagine how exciting it must have been to be present at such an awesome experience. Apart from the opening track, every moment is memorable....the album ends with a powerful rendition of "Take Five" which the audience had been screaming for all night. Prior to this the quartet had completed an equally mesmerizing version of "It's a Raggy Waltz" leaving the audience breathless.....their transition from one number to the other is one of the all time great finale's in the history of live jazz. Bossa Nova USA, Southern Scene, For all we know and Eleven Four...all wonderful, all exciting. If you like Brubeck and have overlooked this album, go out and get it now. It is magnificent.

And nothing shorter than that! I first heared these recordings when I discovered my dad's old vinyl collection, too bad the static and noise went out of it now it's on CD, but it doesn't change the fact that this is an amazing album. What starts out as almost a "regular" and "routine-like" concert suddenly explodes into a breathtaking performance. You constantly hear the musicians challenging each other by changing the tempo and pace, or starting to solo on the opening of a new track (to mislead the others), you constantly hear the audience being overwhelmed and more and more in a trance. And to think the concert was close to being cancelled because of a busstrike!! A must-have for anyone who enjoys good music. This by long is the best recoding Brubeck and Desmond put together. Jazz-drum lovers; there's even a 12-minute, breathtaking solo on it!!!

This live performance by the Brubeck quartet is truly memorable. The band is tight and the music is spectacular.

Highly recommended album for any Brubeck fan.