Customer Reviews

Jazz at Oberlin

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I find it hard to believe that when I arrived on a college campus in the early sixties I was quickly indoctrinated by the "insiders" among the jazz players into disavowing any interest in the music of Brubeck or Desmond. Both were deemed not only too commercial but too West Coast, too white, too fay, too unaffected by the Bird revolution.

Not only is the foregoing among the most myopic viewpoints ever shared by musicians, but it is equally mistaken to assume Brubeck's music is not a force to be reckoned with until the "Time Out" recordings. Let the Oberlin record speak for itself: it represents improvisation of the highest order by two musicians at the very peak of their creative powers.

Take Paul's solo on "Just the Way You Look Tonight": He quotes from Prokofief, Stravinsky, and at least 3 American composers while building an emotional, pyrotechnical, beautifully structured solo spurred on by the audible vocal encouragements of Brubeck himself. Who could follow that? Brubeck does, not only matching but possibly topping it, with thunderous, wildly inventive yet boldly assertive, polyrhythmic melodic statements played in octaves in the left hand.

There's a widespread myth, proven wrong time and again, that the best music occurs when great soloists are accompanied by equally heralded drummers and bass players. To the contrary, the most spirited and swinging jazz always happens when players know their roles and listen to each other.

Before your jazz collection numbers more than 10 albums, make certain that this is one of them.

One of my favorite albums that I own! This was made before the group really hit it big with "Take Five" or "Blue Rondo A La Turk". The chemistry between Brubeck and Desmond is unbeleievable! The highlights are "How High the Moon"-this is a song I never really cared much for,but listen to Desmond's solo! It's one of the best solo's I ever heard Desmond take! Brubeck's solo on "The Way You Look Tonight" is my favorite solo of his on the entire album. And on "Perdido" the group really swings! If you listen closely you'll hear just how great Ron Crotty(Bass) and Lloyd Davis(Drums) kept perfect time with Desmond and Brubeck. YOU HAVE TO HEAR IT ...TO BELIEVE IT!

This recording is 50 years old but loses none of its luster. The sheer joy of the performance and the appreciation of the audience makes this album pure pleasure. The last four tracks are among the best that Brubeck and Desmond ever did. The creativity and chemistry among the musicians has few rivals in the jazz genre. Amusing quotes and references to other songs, quasi-classical forms including Bach-like fugues between Brubeck and Desmond make for much fun in listening (I always hear something new) and it swings!

I was given a copy of this CD by a friend who knows of my love for jazz. It was my first time ever hearing Dave Brubecks Quartet. I put it on and was busy doing things while half listening until Perdido came on and everything stopped. I knew at that moment I was hearing an incredible talent. Like the first time I ever heard Kind of Blue, I was mesmerized. I immediatley had to hear more, I wanted everything this group ever made. This has become one of my all time favorite discs. The interplay between the rhythym section and the beautiful tone of Paul Desmond gives you chills. I personally believe that this is the best CD ever by DBQ,even more than Take Five. Listen and see if you don`t agree that this is one of the Classic jazz discs ever.

This happened to be one of the first jazz albums I ever heard, and I thought that was why I liked it so much. But truly, I have rarely heard other material that comes close to the thrill and synchronicity of this performance. All the songs are solid.
Desmond's touch is alternately floating and soaring, while Brubeck has some of the most dissonant and staccato chords somehow mixed with beautiful phrasing, and the two weave together like flowing water. I've heard another live set by this quartet that was recorded only a few months from this date, and they just didn't have it, but man did they have it in this set!! I'm not a jazz expert, but the feel and mood created here is so beautiful, powerful, and emotive. I strongly recommend it!

I first heard this on an LP during a late night poker session in a fellow student's room in London in 1958. It has haunted me ever since. The CD adds a dimesion to the music that the original recording failed to give...the crowd reactions and the work of the sidemen. Brubeck and Desmond have never surpassed the intensity and the fluidity of their solos, and their joint work is exquisite. A must buy for anyone who likes music... period!

I purchased this album a couple of years ago. Being a very huge Brubeck fan this album did not disappoint. His music in 1953 was every bit as challenging as the Time Out stuff. This is a great album to get especially if you are just being introduced to jazz. Dave always sounds simple, tame and safe on the surface which attracts you to his music and to jazz. Once you start listening and getting into it you realize the complexity. The only reason I did not give this 5 stars is because in reading the liner notes I discovered this was a 2 and 1/2 hour concert and only 40 minutes are represented on this CD. It would be great to have the concert in it's entirety especially considering its historical significance. Buy this CD anyhow; and maybe someone will find the rest of the show and re-release as a complete concert.

With an incredible flurry of inspiring improvisation from Paul Desmond, the Brubeck Quartet have here produced my favourite ever Jazz album. In my mind it is unquestionably the most subtle, passionate, exciting, wild jazz ever played. You can feel the heat of the crowd - and its refreshing to here a group of people that know what they're getting the privilige of witnessing live (just listen to the points at which they cheer). The velocity and creativity of Desmond and the homophonic works of Brubeck are simply awe inspiring.

If you ever thought Jazz was slightly ok, buy this - you dont need to appreciate the talent to enjoy this album. If you dont like Jazz but are an appreciative musician, buy this - you dont need to enjoy this to marvel at the players.

I'm so pleased that this and other Brubeck masters are being re-issued in CD form. I own nearly all of his original vinyl recordings, but hesitate to continually play them. This is arguably his best album. "These Foolish Things" can still raise the hair on the back of my neck after forty years. I was never the same after being enthralled by the Quartet in 1956 at the legendary Black Hawk in San Francisco. Sure, I love bop, but I frequently return to the Brubeck wellspring to be refreshed! Do yourself a favor; buy and enjoy this great classic.

Brubeck's Time Out was the first jazz album I ever bought. I listened to that CD so often that I could recreate every song in my head independently. It is a great album. Jazz at Oberlin is even better. It is the perfect CD. I have owned this CD for 6 years and can listen to it now all the way through without getting sick of it or skipping past a track. It is an especially good CD for people unfamiliar with jazz, because although it involves a great deal of improvisation, the improvisation is melodic and very easy to listen to, unlike musicians like Charlie Parker, or Thelonious Monk who require a more experienced listener to appreciate their innovation. If you buy any CD in your lifetime, you should make it jazz at oberlin.