Great Concerts: Amsterdam Etc [Live]

Dave Brubeck | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 1, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000026JK
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #167,352 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

A celebration of West Coast Jazz taken from 3 concerts between 1958 and 1963. Includes Pennies From Heaven; Take Five; Take the A Train; Like Someone in Love and more! --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brubeck Imported And Domestic In First-Class Live Package, October 17, 2000

By 

Anthony G Pizza "trivialtony" (FL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Great Concerts: Amsterdam Etc (Audio CD)

The mid-1950s through mid-1960s were remarkable years for jazz, especially for the challenging yet accessible music of Dave Brubeck's Quartet. In those years Brubeck was the first jazz musician to make a "Time" magazine cover, sell one million copies of a jazz instrumental, and raise a following first among college-age youth through hectic touring. This resulted in bristling peer comments (Columbia labelmate Miles Davis particularly nasty in an infamous "Down Beat" interview), but kudos from a public for whom Brubeck was (to paraphrase his Broadway show) a "real ambassador" for jazz. Much of this worldwide following came from appearances like these anthologized on "The Great Concerts," recorded between 1957-63 by the Quartet's greatest lineup at its most popular and creative.

The players' alchemy is notable considering that, according to the liner notes, they played the Carnegie Hall portion in poor health after a long tour. Here, Brubeck chases Paul Desmond's fluttering sax solos on a swift "Blue Rondo a La Turk" and on intimate, compact renditions of Billy Strayhorn's "Take The A Train" and a gently persistent "Like Someone In Love." Joe Morello at times hides superb cymbal work behind Desmond's gliding, other times slamming (especially on "Real Ambassadors" where he duets with Brubeck's near boogie-woogie piano) with swinging intensity approaching a jazz variation of John Bonham. (If the "Time Signatures" box set is to be believed, Brubeck enjoyed such drum flamboyance.)

This remains among the few live collections still in print from the Quartet's peak years (although Atlantic's "We're All Together Again For The First Time" from a decade later recaptures the group in fine form). It is thus essential for longtime Brubeck fans, although "Greatest Hits," his "Anything Goes" tribute to Cole Porter and the legendary "Time Out" are strong first purchases for the new listener.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent cd, June 28, 2004

By 

Tom W.C Oppenheim (Victoria, Australia.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Concerts: Amsterdam Etc (Audio CD)

Once again the Dave Brubeck quartet shines for me. I really enjoy this album. I actually heard two of the tunes (Blue Rondo and Tangerine) on the radio and they got me hooked. Those two are my favourites. Tangerine is just awesome, Desmond's technique is flawless and his ideas are wonderful. Each little idea is a gem. The same goes for Blue Rondo. The other tunes are nice, but these are the standouts.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular live concerts by the Quartet!, March 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Great Concerts: Amsterdam Etc (Audio CD)

This magnificent CD covers three live concerts given by the DBQ. The tracks are all brilliant examples of how this seminal group played before an audience. Track one, "Pennies From Heaven" is the group at it's swinging heights. The melody, cleverly disguised by Brubeck is a high-octane adventure. Listen to Joe Morello's drumming on this, it's easy to see how talented he is. Other selections include ultra quick versions of "Take Five", and "Blue Rondo A La Turk". Listen to how the audience reacts when they begin these tunes. Their worldwide poularity is clearly evident. The rest of the CD is a great mix of standards, from the propulsive swing of "Take The "A" train, to the lush, unabashed romanticism of "For All We Know", and "Like Someone In Love." To round off this collection of live brillance, is the swinging "Tangerine", supposedly Paul Desmond's favorite song. He plays with such vigor that he doesn't even allow Dave to introduce the tune as usual. After Dave's dramatic solo, listen to Paul's exuberant reentry, it will instantly start your toe-tapping and your face smiling.