Customer Reviews

Buried Treasures - Recorded Live in Mexico City

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Who was the idiot that left these recordings in the vault all these years? Music as great and universal as this needs to be out there for people to feed their souls on. Better late than never though and this companion concert to the one that produced the 'Bravo' Mexican-themed record is a revelation. In terms of performance and especially in terms of sound it is a better night than 'Bravo' which was one hell of an inspired performace in its own right. The band comes out smoking on an awesome version of 'Mr. Broadway' (Brubeck's ode to 'Detective Series')and doesn't let up until a fabulously varied version of 'St.Louis Blues' at the very end. There are two 5/4 metered tracks performed, the magnificent 'Forty Days' and a drum-solo-less version of 'Take 5' where Desomond gets to stretch in interesting directions. Everyone needs to have a copy of this record, and especially people who hate jazz or think they hate jazz, because it is nearly impossible not to be moved by it. This era is long gone, but Brubeck's classic quartet with Desmond, the epitome of 'American International Cool Jazz,' is still the group that turns most people on to the glories of Jazz without in any way having watered itself down or compromised. They are simply upbeat and non-cynical in an infectious way, and you cannot hold that against them as true artists; they are never mawkish or cloying and they absolutely refuse to pander.

When I reviewed the track titles I was hesitant in purchasing "Buried Treasures" as I already owned several renditions of several tracks. However, let me encourage you to buy this recording. There is an excellent "concert" atmosphere and Brubeck and Desmond are in excellent form - especially on St Louis; Take Five and Broadway. These tracks especially contain the essence and brilliance of the Brubeck Quartet.

This recording is excellent. This record, unlike so many jazz recordings of this era bristles with energy, yet avoids self-indulgence. The talent of these players was at its peak when this was recorded and along with "Bravo Brubeck" are must- haves. It will make you want a better stereo.

Why Columbia continues to dicontinue fantastic albums such as "Buried Treasures" is beyond me and something I will never understand. They like to create demand, but honestly this doesn't do anything but anger the record buying public. A Dave Brubeck Quartet album should never be in demand, it should be a staple of the record company, because this group was immensely popular not only amongst jazz fans, but people who didn't necessarily dig jazz. When will Columbia learn that creating demand doesn't do anything but hurt them and their reputation, but the sad reality is they don't care, jazz has always been treated unfairly when it came to promoting and sales. There are still an inordinate number of people who still listen to jazz and hold it in high regard, one of them is me.

Getting off my soapbox, if you manage to find a copy of "Buried Treasures," then you are in for a great surprise. Swinging, lyrical, and the fanastic Paul Desmond on alto saxophone. You couldn't ask for a better saxophonist than Desmond. That gorgeous tone and flowing improvisations are what made the DBQ so unique.

This 1967 (the same year Brubeck broke up this classic quartet) live album is one their best. The whole quartet is fire and the improvisations are outstanding. The sound quality is also very clean and sounds great.

I highly recommend this relatively unknown album to fans of this quartet.

What hasn't been said aboutDave Brubeck? Look at this guy, he'll be older than George Burns if he retires. But Dave loves the music and playing before live audiences! If I could only have one set of cd's of one artist, it would be Dave Brubeck! You don't need any other music. I have all his albums. What a musician, his music spans generations and all themes. Much better than Jamal or Ellington or Earl garner. Dave Brubeck is the best Jazz player in this century and the last, bar none. George Jones