Customer Reviews

Time Signatures: Career Retrospective

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I must have at least 30 Brubeck CDs and I've listened to him for over 40 years. Yet with all of this history I learned more about Brubeck the man and heard more of Brubeck the musician with this album than all the rest combined, including the live performances I attended at the Newport Jazz festival and Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in NYC. For this box set is complete in telling in music and words the sounds and people that the letters "B - r - u - b - e - c - k" evoke in my mind and I'm sure in the minds of countless others. The album spans many years, styles and groups. But this is only half of it. Dave personally explains in the booklet of liner notes that is an integral part of this wonderful set something about every cut in this set. It is more than just some of the best most authentic jazz ever created and played. It is a history of the medium played and written by one of the true giants of our time. After listening to it non-stop through one afternoon and evening my only wish was that it would go on for additional hours and that Dave would go on writing more for me to read. Bravo Brubeck!

This 4-cd collection was superb. Every track encompassed Brubeck's style beautifully, as they were selected by Brubeck himself. I loved the incorporations of international music as well, with influences from Japan, Turkey, and several other countries. Of course, great classics like the 5/4 time "Take Five" and "Blue Rondo A La Turk" were included. Also, Brubeck's commentary in the booklet after each song is extermely fascinating, providing a rare glimpse into how musicians create their work. Lastly, the biography at the end was filled with funny anecdotes, and an interesting perspective on Brubeck's life. Great photos, too. I would strongly recommend this collection to someone starting out with jazz;it is a timeless compelation.

A remarkable collection of personal choices by Brubeck spanning the years, 1947-91. Brubeck has left a rich legacy, which he continues to add to. So many memorable performances on these 4 CD's, from little gems like "Non-Sectarian Blues," which he performed with Charles Mingus, to timeless classics like "Blue Rondo A La Turk." The booklet provides a wonderful retrospective of Brubeck's career. He remains one of the great jazz ambassadors of America. What has always impressed me about Brubeck is how freely he adopts so many currents in his music, and defers to the greats like Louis Armstrong on "The Real Ambassador." A collection that will satisfy any fan of Brubeck and at a price that is simply irresistible.

This borrows quite a bit from Dave's biggest album: "Take Five." Still, the whole package goes down very smoothly. You'll be able to listen to this in its entirety, which is a rarity for any musician whose careers usually include some sub-par music. Bruneck was so prolific, however, that this barely scratches the surface. His huge catalogue is still mostly in print, so rediscovering him is easy. One of the best. This package is prime.

Few artists have been more influential or more enduring than the old Cherokee himself. This 4-CD set sums up a life in jazz, everything from the early octet of Milhaud students, to the classic quartets and quintets with Desmond and Mulligan, to the late-period turn to spirituality and finally the most recent series of duets and returns to the classics. It is, as another reviewer noted, all here. You COULD buy all the albums (and there are, what 60+ of them?) but this boxed set covers every era and phase of Bru's career, and at roughly five hours it's possible to sit through the whole thing in one sitting. Why would you need more than that?

I admit it, this is a good collection of Brubeck's works through the years, but it is not worth it. Just buy every album seperately. You'll be better off that way. This album is just a scam so someone can make a few bucks off it!!