Young Lions & Old Tigers

Performer: Dave Brubeck
Engineer: Jack Renner
Producer: Russell Gloyd; John Snyder
Distributor: Fontana Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Dave Brubeck (piano); James Moody (vocals, tenor saxophone); Jon Hendricks (vocals); Michael Brecker, Joe Lovano, Joshua Redman (tenor saxophone); Gerry Mulligan (baritone saxophone); Roy Hargrove (trumpet); Ronnie Buttacavoli (flugelhorn); George Shearing (piano); Chris Brubeck (electric bass); Christian McBride, Jack Six (bass); Randy Jones (drums). Recorded at The Carriage House, Stamford, Connecticutt on June 29, 1994; Sony Studios, New York, New York on March 3, 1995; Clinton Recording Studios, New York, New York on June 6 & 7, 1995; Ambient Recording Company, Stamford, Connecticutt on June 27, 1995. Includes liner notes by Dave Brubeck, Roy Hargrove, Jon Hendricks, Michael Brecker, Christian McBride, Joe Lovano, George Shearing, Joshua Redman, Gerry Mulligan, James Moody and Ronnie Buttacavoli. To celebrate his 75th birthday, Dave Brubeck recorded one number apiece with quite a variety of top jazz stars, both young and old. Some of the performances (which alternate duets with quartets) work better than others (eight are recent Brubeck compositions) but all of the musicians display mutual respect, and it is obvious that the guests are all fans of the still-masterful pianist. Trumpeter Roy Hargrove plays beautifully on his lyrical feature but Jon Hendricks, who sings "How High the Moon" as a ballad, takes it at such a slow tempo as to be dreary. Tenor-saxophonist Michael Brecker is fine on "Michael Brecker Waltz," although he sounds a bit restrained, the wittily-titled "Here Comes McBride" is a good-humored romp with bassist Christian McBride; Joe Lovano (on tenor) works well with Brubeck, and particularly memorable is the first meeting on record between Brubeck and fellow pianist George Shearing, with a chance-taking interpretation of "In Your Own Sweet Way." Joshua Redman performs fine hard bop on one song, "Together," is a well-conceived duet for baritonist Gerry Mulligan and Brubeck, James Moody plays tenor, sings, and yodels on the minor blues "Moody," Mulligan returns for the contrapuntal "Gerry-Go-Round," and, although the obscure flugelhornist Ronnie Buttacavoli sounds very out of place on his boring feature, the set closes with one of the strongest performances, a solo piano showcase for Brubeck on "Deep in a Dream." Overall, this is quite a mixed bag but, even with its occasional misses, the CD is a must for Dave Brubeck fans, because the pianist is consistently inventive throughout the unusual set. ~ Scott Yanow

Q (1/96, p.118) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...an array of boppers young and old join him to pay eloquent and elegant tribute..." Down Beat (12/95, pp.55-56) - 4 Stars - Very Good - "...The idea behind the album is having him perform with seniors he's known for ages and with unfamiliar faces in the flower of youth....It's a successful venture, though somewhat maddening because none of his new or old friends, save Gerry Mulligan, gets to grace more than a single number..."

Dave Brubeck is one of the great post-bop jazz innovators of the 1950s, whose use of irregular time signatures, a restrained, classical-influenced approach to the piano, and exceptional composing skills have allowed him to make bold musical statements while remaining immensely popular around the world. His signature "Take Five," a highly accessible tune in 5/4 time composed by the saxophonist Paul Desmond, remains one of the most well known pieces in the jazz canon.

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