A major addition to any Brubeck collection
Dedalus 449 | Buffalo, NY | 12/17/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I have to disagree with the first reviewer. I'm actually listening with earphones as I type this and I can't hear the hiss. There is no question that the sound is not professional, and that may be why this concert has languished in some vault somewhere for so long. And so what?
In 1958 Brubeck was young and at the top of his game, and Desmond could still reel off amazing solos. The quartet spent much of that year on the road, and most of that music has been lost forever. That the Berlin concert has been salvaged is a small miracle, and let's hope that someone's vault will disgorge the English concert, the Italian, the Iraqi. And while we're at it, the Iranian and the Afghani.
Meanwhile what you have here is a 19-minute "Take the 'A' Train," a 16+ minute "Two Part Contention," and a "St. Louis Blues" that is unlike any other I've heard the quartet record.
Look, Brubeck's best work in the 1950s years was in the college and small club concerts. Nothing matches their brilliance, their invention, their playfulness. (And isn't it time for some major label to re-issue "Jazz Goes to Junior College"?) But the big concert hall gigs were a close second.
If there is a weakness here it is that Brubeck himself tends to be bombastic without always being inventive, except maybe on "St. Louis Blues." And Desmond can sometimes wander around in search of a groove. But listen to him on "Take the 'A' Train" and "St. Louis Blues" and you'll forgive all the rest."
Very poor sound quality
Audio Police | 11/20/2008
(1 out of 5 stars)
"This CD "Complete 58 Berlin Concert" has very poor sound quality.
Clearly printed on the CD cover is:
"The music on this CD comes from NON-PROFESSIONAL private tapes and its technical sound quality is not up to standards".
This truth about the poor sound quality was NOT mentioned in this products description.
Although this CD is useful for reference purposes,because it has historical value,dont expect to kick back and enjoy listening to it.
It's "MONO",not stereo.
There is a loud "HISS" throughout the entire CD.
Amazon failed to mention any of these facts in their product description of "Complete 1958 Berlin Concert".
Im seeking a refund on this CD."
Content and history overcome issues with fidelity
Paul C. Bryan | 03/31/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a mono recording and not in the highest fidelity, but wearing headphones I detect no hiss as the first reviewer mentions. A technical note on the back cover addresses the quality:
"The music on this CD comes from non-professional private tapes and its technical sound quality is not up to today's standards. However, it is released because of the importance of the musicians involved and of its high musical and historical value. Every effort has been made to improve the sound quality through advanced restoration technologies."
In my opinion, the content itself as well as its historical relevance outweigh the issues with fidelity. Hearing the improvisation and playfulness, and how these artists played to each other's strengths, especially in "Take the 'A' Train" and "One Moment Worth Years" is a treat."
Track Listings (6) - Disc #1