Bennett/Brubeck: White House Sessions, Live 1962
Various Artists
Reviews
Be Sharp
Reviewed 2013-10-20
Reviewed 2013-10-20
“COOL” JAZZ & VOCAL POP STANDARDS
Live performances at the White House by Tony Bennett and Dave Brubeck, separate and together. Beware: most tracks end with long applause, several with spoken remarks.
No FCC issues.
1 Spoken introduction of Dave Brubeck by the event’s MC (0:53)
2 Group’s huge signature piece: slightly faster than original. Desmond plays melody faithfully (little or no improv) though sounds to be a higher key. Brubeck plays an extended bridge. (5:27)
3 Spoken remarks & introduction of the band by Brubeck (1:20)
4 Fast & energetic. Long sax lead, then long piano lead. Clever drumming. (11:10)
5 ** Mid-tempo. Hip, finger-snapping tune. Sax & piano each have fine solos, including a Classical sounding passage at the end. Last full minute is applause & spoken intro of the next tune. (8:25)
6 Fast, peppy, syncopated piano piece. Has a 5 min drum solo (yawn). No sax. (8:50)
Tony Bennet’s set is mostly show tunes plus “I Left My Heart”. Stylishly backed by his rhythm section.
7 Spoken introduction by the MC (0:34)
8 * Mid-tempo, swingin’ take on well-known Jule Styne tune. Tony’s in very fine voice. (1:59)
9 Slow. Sappy, sentimental ballad by Styne & Stephen Sondheim. (3:00)
10 * Mid-tempo. Stirring version of one of Bennett’s classics. Dramatic piano accompaniment. (2:32)
11 * Mid-tempo. “Jazziest” number in this set, with catchy rhythms in both the vocal & piano. (1:17)
12 Mid-tempo. Opens with lame joke about Yale singing-club song. Never improves. (2:45)
13 Slow. Bennet’s signature piece, slower and no better than original. (3:38)
Bennett is accompanied by a Brubeck trio of piano, bass & drums (no sax). I couldn’t help thinking of Bill Murray’s “Nick the lounge singer” routine on Nos. 14 & 15.
14 Very fast. Too fast to fit the song. (1:59)
15 Mid-tempo. Good piano, but Bennett’s vocal is too cute. (2:11)
16 Mid-tempo & real swingin’. Not bad (might have gotten one *), but pick 17 from this set. (3:20)
17 ** Slow then very fast. Jazziest & by far the best number in this set. Bennett’s interpretation is exuberant & expressive. Brubeck’s solo is terrific. Be ready to fade out at about 2:50. (3:29)
Live performances at the White House by Tony Bennett and Dave Brubeck, separate and together. Beware: most tracks end with long applause, several with spoken remarks.
No FCC issues.
1 Spoken introduction of Dave Brubeck by the event’s MC (0:53)
2 Group’s huge signature piece: slightly faster than original. Desmond plays melody faithfully (little or no improv) though sounds to be a higher key. Brubeck plays an extended bridge. (5:27)
3 Spoken remarks & introduction of the band by Brubeck (1:20)
4 Fast & energetic. Long sax lead, then long piano lead. Clever drumming. (11:10)
5 ** Mid-tempo. Hip, finger-snapping tune. Sax & piano each have fine solos, including a Classical sounding passage at the end. Last full minute is applause & spoken intro of the next tune. (8:25)
6 Fast, peppy, syncopated piano piece. Has a 5 min drum solo (yawn). No sax. (8:50)
Tony Bennet’s set is mostly show tunes plus “I Left My Heart”. Stylishly backed by his rhythm section.
7 Spoken introduction by the MC (0:34)
8 * Mid-tempo, swingin’ take on well-known Jule Styne tune. Tony’s in very fine voice. (1:59)
9 Slow. Sappy, sentimental ballad by Styne & Stephen Sondheim. (3:00)
10 * Mid-tempo. Stirring version of one of Bennett’s classics. Dramatic piano accompaniment. (2:32)
11 * Mid-tempo. “Jazziest” number in this set, with catchy rhythms in both the vocal & piano. (1:17)
12 Mid-tempo. Opens with lame joke about Yale singing-club song. Never improves. (2:45)
13 Slow. Bennet’s signature piece, slower and no better than original. (3:38)
Bennett is accompanied by a Brubeck trio of piano, bass & drums (no sax). I couldn’t help thinking of Bill Murray’s “Nick the lounge singer” routine on Nos. 14 & 15.
14 Very fast. Too fast to fit the song. (1:59)
15 Mid-tempo. Good piano, but Bennett’s vocal is too cute. (2:11)
16 Mid-tempo & real swingin’. Not bad (might have gotten one *), but pick 17 from this set. (3:20)
17 ** Slow then very fast. Jazziest & by far the best number in this set. Bennett’s interpretation is exuberant & expressive. Brubeck’s solo is terrific. Be ready to fade out at about 2:50. (3:29)
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Charting
2013-10-24 — 2013-12-26
Jazz
| Week Ending | Airplays |
|---|---|
| Dec 22 | 1 |
| Dec 1 | 3 |
| Nov 24 | 1 |
| Nov 17 | 1 |
| Nov 10 | 4 |
| Nov 3 | 2 |
| Oct 27 | 1 |
Track listing
| 1. | Introduction | ||
| 2. | Take Five | ||
| 3. | Band Introduction | ||
| 4. | Nomad | ||
| 5. | Thank You (Djiekuje) | ||
| 6. | Castilian Blues | ||
| 7. | Introduction | ||
| 8. | Just In Time | ||
| 9. | Small World | ||
| 10. | Make Someone Happy | ||
| 11. | Rags To Riches | ||
| 12. | One For My Baby | ||
| 13. | I Left My Heart In San Francisco | ||
| 14. | Lullaby Of Broadway | ||
| 15. | Chicago (That Toddlin' Town) | ||
| 16. | That Old Black Magic | ||
| 17. | There Will Never Be Another You |