As a student of irony I get a great belt out of the fact that Dave Brubeck spent virtually his entire working life experimenting with unorthodox time signatures only to weigh in with a swansong recording in 2010, literally the eve of his 92nd birthday, of lullabies.
Every note is struck slowly and precisely, creating the effect of a piano student (albeit one showing promise) performing finger exercises.
The PR-generated puff says he recorded this album as a gift for his grandchildren and the selections, and the contents – five original compositions on sleep-related themes by Brubeck himself plus eight titles associated with childhood – support this.
Mr. Brubeck distinguished himself indisputably over more than half a century performing at the highest level and to the highest standards and if this final album fails to add to his lustre, neither does it diminish him.
Discography
Brahms Lullaby; When It’s Sleepy Time Down South; Over The Rainbow; Danny Boy; Going To Sleep; There’s No Place Like Home; Lullaby For Iola; All Through The Night; Softly, William, Softly; A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes; Briar Bush; Sleep; Summertime; Brahms Lullaby (reprise) (37.52)
Brubeck (p). 2-4 March 2010, Unity Gain Studios, Ft Myers, Florida.
Verve Records
