Artist: Dave Brubeck Quartet Album: Gone With the Wind

Year: 1959
Duration: 0:0-1

Dave Brubeck Quartet's Gone With the Wind - A Jazz Classic Worth Revisiting

Jazz music has always been known for its fluidity, and among the genre's pioneers, Dave Brubeck remains an influential figure. His music career spanned more than 50 years, during which he became celebrated for his innovative and unconventional style. One of his most critically acclaimed albums is Gone With the Wind, recorded with his quartet in 1959. In this blog post, we take a critical look at the album, its history, and why it remains relevant for jazz enthusiasts four decades later.

Dave Brubeck was born in 1920 in Concord, California. He trained in classical piano growing up, but was equally passionate about jazz. After serving in World War II, he pursued a music career with his quartet, which consisted of Brubeck on piano, Paul Desmond on alto saxophone, Gene Wright on bass, and Joe Morello on drums. Over the years, the quartet achieved success with their recordings, but Gone With the Wind is perhaps the most memorable.

The album features eight tracks, including Strange Meadowlark, Everybody's Jumpin', and Camptown Races. These songs are characterized by complex rhythms, unexpected time signatures, and a harmonic language that transcends traditional jazz techniques. The quartet's virtuosic musicianship is evident on each track, with Brubeck's piano leading the way while Desmond's smooth saxophone serves as the perfect complement.

Innovatively, Brubeck incorporated classical music elements into his jazz compositions. Gone With the Wind has a distinctly cinematic quality, with sweeping melodies and dramatic flourishes. The title track opens the album, and it's a standout for its adventurous use of harmonies and syncopated rhythms that move through several key changes. Another standout is Strange Meadowlark, which features a beautiful and melancholic piano solo from Brubeck.

Overall, Gone With the Wind represents an exciting chapter in jazz music. Brubeck and his quartet pushed the boundaries of what was possible in the genre, and the album's combination of swing, bebop and classical music elements helped redefine the jazz sound. It's no wonder why this album is still remembered and loved by many jazz enthusiasts to this day.

For some critics, Gone With the Wind falls short on some aspects. While the musicianship and technical prowess of the quartet are undeniable, some argue that the album can come across as cold, clinical and lacking in emotional depth. Additionally, others criticize the quartet for their tendency towards excessively long solos, which can drag on and feel self-indulgent. Regardless, the album remains an essential listen for jazz fans looking to expand their horizons.

Gone With the Wind is an album that showcases Dave Brubeck Quartet's boldness, range, and imaginative spirit. Its sui generis approach to jazz is still serving as a well of inspiration for contemporary jazz musicians. Though it may not be for everyone, the album's artistic achievement and innovation helped open the door to new possibilities within jazz and music as a whole. Overall, Gone With the Wind is a lasting testament to Brubeck's legendary status in music history.

Gone With the Wind is an album that showcases Dave Brubeck Quartet's boldness, range, and imaginative spirit. Its sui generis approach to jazz is still serving as a well of inspiration for contemporary jazz musicians. Though it may not be for everyone, the album's artistic achievement and innovation helped open the door to new possibilities within jazz and music as a whole. Overall, Gone With the Wind is a lasting testament to Brubeck's legendary status in music history.