Final Dave Brubeck studio album Verve released as news of Time Out vaults opening breaks
Mike Flynn
Friday, September 25, 2020
The iconic pianist's final studio recording is a solo set of heartfelt songs for all ages
The final studio recording from pianist Dave Brubeck, a solo album entitled Lullabies, will be released on Verve on 6 November. The album showcases Brubeck’s distinctive improvisational style on a set of well-known children’s songs, classic standards and originals. Bookended by two versions of ‘Brahms Lullaby’ (which is out now as the first single - see the video below), the five originals among the covers are ‘Going to Sleep’, ‘Lullaby For Iola’, ‘Koto Song’, ‘Softly, William, Softly’ and ‘Briar Bush’. Further tracks include ‘Over The Rainbow’, ‘Danny Boy’, ‘Going to Sleep’, ‘There’s No Place Like Home’, ‘A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes’ and ‘Sleep’.
Commenting on the music at the time of recording from 2 to 4 March 2010, Brubeck commented: “Some of the melodies on this album are like those familiar songs. Some are original pieces that I thought would appeal to babies as well as an older generation. I hope the littlest ones will respond to this music, and that parents and grandparents will enjoy it as well.”
A matter of weeks later, on 4 December, the new Brubeck Editions label (set up to celebrate the pianist’s centenary) issues its inaugural release, Time OutTakes. The album features recently-discovered outtakes from the classic Dave Brubeck-Paul Desmond-Gene Wright-Joe Morello quartet’s historic 1959 Time Out sessions. Buoyed by the hugely successful hit single ‘Take Five’, Time Out became the first million-selling jazz LP by 1960.
The new collection, Time OutTakes, aims to “offer listeners insights into the recording process behind one of the most significant and popular jazz recordings of all time.”
The tracklisting includes alternate and ‘work in progress’ versions of: ‘Blue Rondo A La Turk’, ‘Strange Meadowlark’, ‘Take Five’, ‘Three To Get Ready’, ‘Cathy’s Waltz’, ‘I’m In A Dancing Mood’, ‘Watusi Jam’ plus five minutes of ‘Band Banter’.
Listen to a previously unheard, early version of ‘Take Five’ here.
For more info visit www.ververecords.com and www.davebrubeck.com