Dave Brubeck - Lullabies – genial sleepytime jazz

The Guardian 0

(Verve)
The late veteran’s final album offers 15 gentle takes on old melodies and Brubeck originals

Dave Brubeck is famous for his 1961 megahit Take Five (composed by his saxophonist, Paul Desmond), and catchy numbers in odd time signatures such as Blue Rondo à la Turk. In those days, jazz critics tended to be a little sniffy about Brubeck’s heavy-handed piano style. In later life, however, he made some beautifully simple solo albums, such as One Alone and Private Brubeck Remembers.

This one follows in a similar manner. It’s his last studio recording, made in 2010, two years before his death, and released now in time for his centenary next month. The programme is a mixture of old melodies and new Brubeck compositions. The former range from the Brahms Lullaby to Louis Armstrong’s signature tune, When It’s Sleepy Time Down South, each being treated to a little gentle harmonic rearrangement. The five originals are pleasant, light music. Briar Bush is a really strong tune waiting for a lyric, and Koto Song is based on the pentatonic scale, giving it a Japanese flavour. The average length of each of the 15 tracks is about three minutes. It’s all very mild, as the title suggests, but it’s genial and well made.