Gone With The Wind - Dave Brubeck

 

Gone With The Wind

Gone With The Wind
The Dave Burbeck Quartet
Columbia Records CL 1347
1959

Dave Burbeck - Piano 

Paul Desmond - Alto Sax
Joe Morello - Drums
Gene Wright - Bass

From the back cover: A good deal has been said in print about the merits of the Dave Brubeck Quartet, what it stands for in relation to jazz, what it has contributed to the facade of jazz, etc., and as you listen to the easy flow of melodic lines and the development of each standard composition in this recording, you will know that this is the Quartet at its best. We feel that the music speaks for itself, and that no words need be said here by way of explanation. Therefore, I would only like to tell you of some special incidents which happened during the recording of this album, and include a few comments from Dave himself concerning some of the pieces.From the very first take, we all knew that this was going to be a swinging session, and it was. I believe it is significant that three- fourths of the compositions contained herein are "first-takers," if I may coin a word. On listening to the first play-back by Dave and the group, the comment would almost invariably be: "That's it! Let's make the next one." This happened throughout the entire session in the studio, until it was time to leave for Dave's evening concert at Orange Grove College in Costa Mesa, California, where we also recorded.

Some of the compositions that were used as a basis for improvisation here were played by the group for the first time at the recording studio, and in several cases the arrangements you hear were not previously planned, but worked out spontaneously while recording. This is why, when you listen to Georgia on My Mind, you will hear a low bass note near the beginning and a rather deceptive ending by Dave. There was great speculation in the studio as to how he would end this piece, and we all waited expectantly until the last note was recorded. It is interesting to know that both Georgia on My Min and Swanee River have been favorites of Dave's for years, but this was the first opportunity he had to record them.

You will notice, too, that there are two versions of Camptown Races: because each had its own special quality, both were used. The first one was the original take at the session, and the second one we thought would be of interest because of more West Indian rhythm played by Joe Morello. This, by the way, just happened, too. No cues, no plan before hand. Everything at that point just seemed to work out spontaneously.

In Dave's words, "Look Down That Lonesome Road is a little drama depicting the life story of man. Loneliness in the beginning, then a fuller, expanded life, then gradually back to the loneliness of old age at the end of the road." The clicks that you hear at the end of this tune are intentional, and are meant to represent footsteps.

Gene Wright volunteered to do a tune that he had long wanted to play – Ol' Man River – and Joe Morello contributed to this album about the South by lengthening a quote from Dave's last album, "Newport 1958," where he quoted Short'nin' Bread on the drum solo of C Jam Blues. He lengthened that quote into a track for this album-added yeast to the original Short'nin' Bread, I guess.

Putting together this album, which evokes memories of the South, was an idea which came to Dave following a concert tour of the South. He decided that he would like to do one album of old and familiar tunes in contrast to the album of originals already released (CL 1251), and with the hope of entertaining everyone North, South, East and West.

Swanee River
The Lonesome Road
Georgia On My Mind
Camptown Races
Camptown Races
Short'nin Bread
Basin Street Blues

Ol' Man River
Gone With The Wind