Studio: Reelin’ in the Years Productions 2119005, Distr. by Naxos
Video: 4:3 B&W, all regions
Audio: English DD mono
Extras: 24-p. illustrated booklet with liner notes by Darius Brubeck and forward by Doug Ramsey
Length: 67 minutes
Rating: *****
This magnificent disc preserves two filmed concerts played when the quartet was at the top of their game – the first in Belgium in 1964 and the second in Berlin, Germany two years later. Dave himself observes that this is “The best footage of the Classic Quartet that I’ve ever seen,” and his son Darius writes that he feels the performances on both Three to Get Ready and the two different versions of the big hit Take Five are better than any that were committed to audio-only recordings. Add to this the excellent cinematography and good though mono sonics and you have one of the gems of the second series of Jazz Icon DVDs. (But as with so many classic films, I have to ask, Why Dolby Digital mono? Why not uncompressed PCM mono? It’s not a question of being short of space. It must be because some survey showed that because of clever marketing, most people think Dolby-reduced audio sounds better than 48K uncompressed PCM.)
In addition to the two versions of Take Five you also get two of Dave’s composition, Koto Song. The first stresses the Japanese, Messiaen and Takemitsu influences, while the second is more blues-based improvisation. There are many close-camera shots of Dave’s keyboard work and of Paul Desmond in action. (The rhythm section is Joe Morello on drums and Eugene Wright on doublebass.) They sail thru the odd time signatures of Take Five and Forty Days; you can watch the closeup of Dave’s shoes tapping out the 5/4 time. (Interesting how that phrase brings up something in the current news that we would never have even thought of in 1966…)
Darius’ notes speak about the rigors of touring Europe at that time compared to today, and of the spirit of camaraderie among the members of the quartet (although at first Desmond wanted Morello fired). He also contrasts their friendly demeanor onstage and interactions with their audiences with the attitudes of Miles Davis and other bebop players who often ignored the audience. He reports on his own grandson excitedly pointing out a video of the quartet doing Take Five which had been posted on YouTube. One of the posted comments read “How can such dorky-looking guys play such cool music?”
TrackList: Belgium ‘64 = St. Louis Blues, Koto Song, Three to Get Ready, In Your Own Sweet Way, Take Five
Germany ‘66 = Take the A Train, Forty Days, I’m in a Dancing Mood, Koto Song, Take Five
– John Henry
