Dave Brubeck: Memories of You
Recorded: New York, March 8-9, 2007
Rating: 90/100 (learn more)
Listening to the first eight bars of this performance, you may think that Dave Brubeck has mellowed with the passing years. He plays the old Eubie Blake standard like a throwback to the Harlem stride school. Has our arch-modernist become a sentimental traditionalist? But by the second eight bars, Brubeck is already playing his harmonic tricks. The passing chords come thick and fast, and by the time we enter the next chorus we are flying over polytonal territory. Passengers, look out your left window and see if you can recognize the changes below. For a moment, Brubeck dips back into his stride bag, but can't keep from tossing out those super-sized chords. Welcome to the world of Dave Brubeck, where even a stark miniature such as this keeps a few Wagnerian reminders hidden in the corners.
Reviewer: Ted Gioia
Tags: memories of you · solo piano
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