There'll Be Some Changes Made - Dave Brubeck, Higgins, Billy [2]
My Melancholy Baby - Dave Brubeck, Burnett, Ernie
Blues in the Dark - Dave Brubeck, Basie, Count
I Never Knew (I Could Love Anyone Like I'm Loving You) - Dave Brubeck, Egan, Ray
Ain't Misbehavin' - Dave Brubeck, Brooks, Harry
Evenin' - Dave Brubeck, Parish, Mitchell
All by Myself - Dave Brubeck, Berlin, Irving
River, Stay 'Way from My Door - Dave Brubeck, Dixon, Mort
You Can Depend on Me - Dave Brubeck, Carpenter, Charles
Am I Blue? - Dave Brubeck, Akst, Harry
Shine on Harvest Moon [#][*] - Dave Brubeck, Bayes, Nora
An odd pairing on a couple of counts. First, there's the discrepancy between the innate swing of Jimmy Rushing's phrasing and Brubeck's notorious stiffness. (In one off-kilter moment, the singer exclaims "tell the truth, m... more »an... play it, home!" behind the pianist's ultraterse, bluesless, soft-pedaled solo on "Blues in the Dark.") Second, there's Rushing's enormous, rough-textured voice juxtaposed against the sweet, soft, lithe alto sax counterlines of Paul Desmond. It's the latter relationship that carries this 1960 session, though to be fair Brubeck rises to the occasion too, his spare playing--along with the unimpeachable bed created by associates Gene Wright, on bass, and Joe Morello, on drums--providing an exquisite showcase for the Basie belter. Don't miss Rushing slightly rolling his r's on "Evenin'"--the exquisite diction of blues aristocracy! --John Corbett« less
An odd pairing on a couple of counts. First, there's the discrepancy between the innate swing of Jimmy Rushing's phrasing and Brubeck's notorious stiffness. (In one off-kilter moment, the singer exclaims "tell the truth, man... play it, home!" behind the pianist's ultraterse, bluesless, soft-pedaled solo on "Blues in the Dark.") Second, there's Rushing's enormous, rough-textured voice juxtaposed against the sweet, soft, lithe alto sax counterlines of Paul Desmond. It's the latter relationship that carries this 1960 session, though to be fair Brubeck rises to the occasion too, his spare playing--along with the unimpeachable bed created by associates Gene Wright, on bass, and Joe Morello, on drums--providing an exquisite showcase for the Basie belter. Don't miss Rushing slightly rolling his r's on "Evenin'"--the exquisite diction of blues aristocracy! --John Corbett
"Jimmy Rushing(former Count Basie vocalist) started singing in the late 20's and recorded with the great count Basie Orchestra as early as 1930. He had plenty of experience by the 50's, when he recorded this session with Dave Brubecks's very popular group featuring georgious sax playig of Paul Desmond, with Rushing's warm raspy, yet smooth and ageless baritone. The results are much better then one would expect, in fact this then LP, now CD isa classic, and ranks as one of Rushing's few re-issues. Rushing has a timeless voice like billie Holday, or Lee Wiley, it never goes out of style or sounds dated, and jazz like brubeck's is always hip and classy. A highly enjoyable jazz session. Recommended"
A Strange Match
Nikica Gilic | Zagreb, Croatia | 09/15/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As everyone has already said - the powerful swing of Jimmy Rushing and the gentle and ellegant moods of Dave Brubeck 4 don't seem like a match made in heaven, but somehow it works.
It was Jimmy's idea to do this album and I strongly feel that Desmond's subtle sax (for me the greatest value of Brubeck's quartet) would somehow complement his robust vocals. And it does.
To be honest, Brubeck is far from getting to my list of favourite piano players (Ellington, Monk, Tatum, Peterson, Basie, Wilson...); he probably never recorded something that would excite me like Jess Stacy's famous "Sing sing sing" solo on Benny Goodman Carnegie Hall concert, but nevertheless, at this record he somehow pulls it of without compromising his own musical persona too much.
In the end, I conclude that I don't really know why this works (although bass and drums seem subtle and versatile enough to help) but I enjoy this album imensely. Five stars, there's no doubt in my mind."
Interesting...
top_cat1980 | United Kingdom | 05/01/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"As others have pointed out, Jimmy Rushing and the Dave Brubeck Quartet don't initially seem like natural partners. Apparently Brubeck himself felt that same way prior to recording this album! But in spite of that, it works pretty well. The differing styles do jar occasionally it has to be said and more often they simply don't quite work. That said, some of it works well ("Evenin'" especially is worth a look) and at times Rushing and Desmond really seem to click. It's clear that the band had a lot of fun on this album. They didn't QUITE make magic though. Worth a look if you are a fan of either the Brubeck Quartet or of Rushing but I wouldn't say it could be classed as an essential addition to a collection of either's works. Both did better work than this during their careers. That said, they set high standards to live up to. It's never anything other than pleasant to listen to, but it doesn't set the world on fire either."
Excellant album. The vocals mesh with the music.
Nikica Gilic | 05/10/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What a great album. The singing of Rushing and the melodic background to support the singing is truly genious. What a pleasure to listen to. It is Jazz at it's finest."
Moonshine and Martinis
Nikica Gilic | 09/30/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Never thought this pairing could bring it off. I was pleasently amazed! A true example of people having fun, making music and all of the listeners benefit. It's a shame that more fans of both aren't aware of this album. I chased it down from a car comercial! Shame on Columbia!"