Paul Desmond

Dave Brubeck & Paul Desmond - 1975: The Duets (1975) {Verve Originals 0602527068633 rel 2009}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 211 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 90 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 13 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1975, 2009 Verve / UMG | 0602527068633 | Verve Originals Series
Jazz / Cool / West Coast Jazz / Piano / Saxophone

Although Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond made many rewarding recordings together, this was their only duo album; it was inspired by several duo performances on board a cruise ship. Their magical ESP is evident from start to finish. Brubeck's lyricism throughout these sessions will surprise critics who label him as "bombastic," while Desmond, known for his pure dry-toned alto sax, throws a few curves to his longtime fans. The loping waltz treatment of "Alice in Wonderland" and a delicate interpretation of the Mexican folk song "The Blue Dove" contrast with their abstract approach to "Stardust."

In 2001, alto saxophonist Brent Jensen released The Sound of a Dry Martini: Remembering Paul Desmond. Resonating immediately with radio stations and their audiences, the album has been a consistent presence on the airwaves and has been streamed thousands of times a week since that technology was first conceived. Some twenty years later, Jensen now offers the house another round. Joined by guitarist Jamie Findlay, his long time partner in interpreting Desmond's works, Jensen improvises new melodies as rich and satisfying as the tunes from which they are based, subtly coloring his lines with romance, melancholy and joy. He shares a stylistic affinity with both Desmond and Lee Konitz in a lyrical sense, weaving singing, free-flowing lines in his own singular voice through Desmond favorites such as “Take Ten,” and “Desmond Blue,” or standards like "These Foolish Things" and "Alone Together." Supported by an outstanding Seattle cast - drummers Stefan Schatz and John Bishop, bassist Chris Symer and pianist Bill Anschell - Jensen creates another irresistible tribute to an iconic musical voice.

The 17 selections on this disc represent the earliest recordings by one of the most important and definitive jazz combos in history. These are interesting because Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond on alto sax had established the basic sound long before bassist Gene Wright and drummer Joe Morello would join them for the 'classic quartet' era. One other thing that is interesting is even though recording technology was relatively crude in the very early 1950s the sound quality on this album is more than acceptable.

Although recorded in sessions in 1962 and 1965, this set of Richard Rodgers tunes by the Dave Brubeck Quartet has a strong unity about it due to the consistent performances of the veteran group. With altoist Paul Desmond and the pianist-leader contributing some fine solos (and bassist Eugene Wright and drummer Joe Morello excellent in support), The Rodgers songs are treated with respect and swing. This comparatively gentle version of "My Favorite Things" would never be mistaken for John Coltrane's.

Paul Desmond was an integral part of the Dave Brubeck Quartet for 17 years (1950-1967). His alto sax helped define the Brubeck sound, and just the fact that he wrote the most well known composition of Brubeck’s career (“Take Five”), would be enough to write his name in jazz history. However, it was his velvety tone and his lyrical improvisation that jazz fans remember most. His sensuous timbre, feather light, but still substantial, can be compared to both Johnny Hodges and Lester Young for its beauty.