DAVE BRUBECK - Lullabies
Verve 00602435142685
Dave Brubeck (piano)
Recorded 2 to 4 March 2010
Tracks: Brahms Lullaby/ When it’s Sleepy Time Down South / Over the Rainbow / Danny Boy/ Going to Sleep / There’s no Place Like Home / Lullaby for Iola / Koto Song / All through the Night / Softly, William, Softly / A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes / Briar Bush / Sleep / Summertime / Brahms Lullaby (reprise)
What to make of Brubeck playing this kind of material? It does sound sincere but it does not sound like Brubeck most of the time. Brubeck was always the good guy, squeaky clean, the large family, the long marriage, the oratorios, the farming background, Americana, the college concerts, popular across the world. Here he is nearing the end of the journey, tired ready for sleep….. so lullabies.
‘When It's Sleepytime Down South’ the block chording makes a gentle appearance and echoes of the past appear and a more assertive rhythm. ‘Briar Bush’ is more assertive, the closest to the Brubeck we know..
Most of the time sentimentality is avoided, difficult with tunes like ‘Over the Rainbow’ and ‘Danny Boy’. There are twists added to keep the interpretation fresh. ‘Softly, William, Softly’ feels somehow Slavic, European in its mood.
There are a number of Brubeck originals: ‘Lullaby for Iola’ and ‘Koto Song’ are beautiful and touching, conveying a gentleness and love. There is an elegiac quality to the album as it softly drifts through the various moods as if someone is gently seeking sleep. There is little improvisation, just odd notes and chords to impose a personal stamp.
The key feeling is of someone sitting alone, sifting through memories occasionally reharmonizing a piece like ‘All Through the Night’ or ‘Summertime’. There is occasional contentment tinged with melancholy. This is the sound of a life well lived.
Opening and closing with ‘Brahms Lullaby’, Brubeck is not raging against the dying of the light, he is going gentle into that good night. He died on 5th of December 2012.
Reviewed by Jack Kenny
Verve 00602435142685
Dave Brubeck (piano)
Recorded 2 to 4 March 2010
Tracks: Brahms Lullaby/ When it’s Sleepy Time Down South / Over the Rainbow / Danny Boy/ Going to Sleep / There’s no Place Like Home / Lullaby for Iola / Koto Song / All through the Night / Softly, William, Softly / A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes / Briar Bush / Sleep / Summertime / Brahms Lullaby (reprise)
What to make of Brubeck playing this kind of material? It does sound sincere but it does not sound like Brubeck most of the time. Brubeck was always the good guy, squeaky clean, the large family, the long marriage, the oratorios, the farming background, Americana, the college concerts, popular across the world. Here he is nearing the end of the journey, tired ready for sleep….. so lullabies.
‘When It's Sleepytime Down South’ the block chording makes a gentle appearance and echoes of the past appear and a more assertive rhythm. ‘Briar Bush’ is more assertive, the closest to the Brubeck we know..
Most of the time sentimentality is avoided, difficult with tunes like ‘Over the Rainbow’ and ‘Danny Boy’. There are twists added to keep the interpretation fresh. ‘Softly, William, Softly’ feels somehow Slavic, European in its mood.
There are a number of Brubeck originals: ‘Lullaby for Iola’ and ‘Koto Song’ are beautiful and touching, conveying a gentleness and love. There is an elegiac quality to the album as it softly drifts through the various moods as if someone is gently seeking sleep. There is little improvisation, just odd notes and chords to impose a personal stamp.
The key feeling is of someone sitting alone, sifting through memories occasionally reharmonizing a piece like ‘All Through the Night’ or ‘Summertime’. There is occasional contentment tinged with melancholy. This is the sound of a life well lived.
Opening and closing with ‘Brahms Lullaby’, Brubeck is not raging against the dying of the light, he is going gentle into that good night. He died on 5th of December 2012.
Reviewed by Jack Kenny
