Paper Moon (album)

"Paper Moon" was recorded by the Dave Brubeck Quartet at Coast Recorders in San Francisco, California. The record was released in September 1981 by Concord Records. It was produced by Russell Gloyd, and Engineered by Ron Davis and Phil Edwards.Infobox Album
Name = Paper Moon
Type = studio
Artist = Dave Brubeck Quartet


Released = Start date|1981|9|1

Recorded = 1980-1981 at Coast Recorders
Genre = cool jazz, west coast jazz
Length = 41:50 (international edition)
Label = Concord Records
Producer = Russell Gloyd (exec.)
Engineer = Phil Evans , Ron Davis
This album = "Paper Moon"
(1981)

Musicians

By the time "Paper Moon" was released, the Dave Brubeck Quartet was comprised of different members than those who had made the chart topping single Take Five in ‘59. Dave Brubeck, on the piano, was now accompanied by Jerry Bergonzi on the tenor saxophone, Chris Brubeck (son of Dave) on the bass and bass trombone, and Randy Jones on the drums.

Tracks and Information

Analysis

"Paper Moon" can be described as cool jazz and varies only slightly from past Brubeck recordings. The tracks on this album are less hurried than those on "Time Out", and include less repetition than earlier hits, but still maintain the wistful Brubeck style. The differences can be attributed to the change of decade and the new members playing. "Paper Moon" is the third CD put out by the new Quartet with Concord Records, and has been called the “most rewarding of the trio” by music critic Scott Yanow [Yanow, Scott. "Paper Moon: Critics Review." Msn. 2008. 29 July 2008 .] . "Paper Moon" is extremely rewarding and includes a multitude of jazz techniques. Throughout the album, the piano remains smooth; as does the saxophone which in addition, has a crisp tone and is graceful as it slides up and down scales. There is minimal dissonance and all measures flow together seamlessly. The drums and bass are steady keeping Brubeck’s unique rhythms’, while also occasionally adding their own flavors. The instruments never fail to give perfect harmony, melody, and rhythm. "Paper Moon" is simply smooth, and easy to listen to while still remaining interesting and intelligent.

It's Only a Paper Moon

The track "It’s Only a Paper Moon" begins with the sweet and crisp sound of Dave Brubeck utilizing the scales of the piano. The drummer keeps a fast but light beat on the cymbals, as the bassist plucks slightly offbeat using syncopation. About forty seconds into the track the piano plays using stride style, and at 0:52 the saxophone enters on the melody. The saxophone flutters up and down the notes as Dave Brubeck comps. At 2:38 the piano begins its solo using block chords instead of individual notes. His solo continues until 3:31 when the bass player Chris Brubeck switches to a bass trombone and begins his improvisation utilizing smears throughout the solo and dips into the lowest registers giving the piece a fuller and rougher tone. His solo ends the piece with a repeat of the chorus. This track includes many necessary elements of jazz and fits even the most detailed definition. It's Only a Paper Moon has plenty of swing feeling and improvised solos which are easy to appreciate. This track and album are very accessible.

External links

* http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Brubeck,_Dave/Discography/album/P6198/R136000
* http://www.buy.com/prod/paper-moon/q/loc/109/60020250.html
* http://music.msn.com/music/album/dave-brubeck/paper-moon.1/
* http://library.pacific.edu/ha/digital/brubeckoralhistory/index.asp
* http://www.davebrubeck.com/live/
* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwNrmYRiX_o

Notes

"Dave Brubeck Quartet Paper Moon." Starpulse. 29 July 2008 < .

"Paper Moon." Buy.com. 2008. 29 July 2008 .

"Paper Moon." Msn. 2008. 29 July 2008 .

Yanow, Scott. "Paper Moon: Critics Review." Msn. 2008. 29 July 2008 .