Artist: Dave Brubeck Quartet Album: Dave Digs Disney

Year: 1957
Duration: 0:0-1

A Critical Review of the Album: Dave Digs Disney by the Dave Brubeck Quartet

The legendary pianist, Dave Brubeck, known for his unique style of jazz music, released an album in 1957 entitled “Dave Digs Disney”. In this album, Brubeck and his quartet create a jazz interpretation of some of the most beloved Disney songs. But how well did they do? In this critical review, we’ll delve into the history of the artist, the music genre, the best songs of the album, the most innovative parts, and a critique of the album as a whole.

Dave Brubeck Quartet was formed in 1951 and consisted of Dave Brubeck on piano, Paul Desmond on saxophone, Joe Morello on drums, and Eugene Wright on bass. Brubeck was known for pioneering the “cool jazz” genre, a subgenre of jazz music that originated in the 1950s. Cool jazz is characterized by a relaxed and unemotional style of playing which emphasizes the melody and harmony more than improvisation.

“Dave Digs Disney” is a prime example of Brubeck’s cool jazz style, with each song having its unique interpretation while maintaining the original melody. The album features eight Disney classics, including Sleeping Beauty, Alice in Wonderland, and Cinderella. The album opens with “Alice in Wonderland”, where Brubeck’s signature piano play is heard in harmony with Paul Desmond’s saxophone, which creates an enchanting sound.

The best songs of the album include “Someday My Prince Will Come” from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and “Heigh-Ho” from the same movie. “Someday My Prince Will Come”, has a melancholic feel, and the trio’s instrumentation perfectly emotes the longing of the song. “Heigh-Ho”, on the other hand, is jolly and upbeat, making it a perfect song to dance to.

The most innovative part of the album is the way each original track is adapted to fit Brubeck’s cool jazz style. Brubeck uses his distinctive 5/4 and 9/8 time signatures, which define his music style, to make the Disney songs more interesting. In the song “Cinderella”, instead of the usual 4/4 time signature, Brubeck uses 5/4 timing to create an innovative sound that still carries the essence of the song.

As much as “Dave Digs Disney” is a great album, it’s not perfect. One of its downsides is that some of the songs are overly simplistic and lack originality. The album also shows a lack of variety, as most songs have a similar pace, structure, and instrumentation. Despite these issues, however, the album remains a brilliant interpretation of Disney songs from a legendary jazz pianist.

In conclusion, Dave Brubeck’s “Dave Digs Disney” album is a must-listen for jazz fans and Disney-lovers alike. It showcases Brubeck’s unique style of music and musical innovation, with each song providing a fresh take on the original melody. While there may be some flaws, it’s difficult not to appreciate the masterful playing of the Dave Brubeck Quartet. Overall, it’s a delightful album to listen to, and it’s sure to bring a smile to your face while you reminisce about your favorite Disney moments.

In conclusion, Dave Brubeck’s “Dave Digs Disney” album is a must-listen for jazz fans and Disney-lovers alike. It showcases Brubeck’s unique style of music and musical innovation, with each song providing a fresh take on the original melody. While there may be some flaws, it’s difficult not to appreciate the masterful playing of the Dave Brubeck Quartet. Overall, it’s a delightful album to listen to, and it’s sure to bring a smile to your face while you reminisce about your favorite Disney moments.