Live at Arthur Zankel Music Center - Triple Play

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Label: Blue Forest Records
Year: 2012
Released on LP: No
Released on CD: Yes

Tracks

1. Rollin' & Tumblin' Hambone
2. Brother, Can You Spare a Dime
3. Win the Lotto
4. Phonograph Blues
5. Koto Song
6. Mighty Mrs. Hippy

7. Blue Rondo A La Turk
8. Black and Blue
9. Dziekuje (Thank You)
10.Travelin Blues
11.Take Five
12.St. Louis Blues

Personnel

Dave Brubeck (piano)
Chris Brubeck (electric bass, bass trombone, piano, vocals)
Joel Brown (guitars,vocals)
Frank Brown (clarinet)
Peter “Madcath” Ruth (harmonica, ukelele, hit-hat, jaw harp,vocals)

Notes

1.Dave did not participate on tracks 1-6

2. Recorded live on June 10th 2011 at

Arthur Zankel Music Center
Helene Filene Ladd Hall
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs NY

3. CD releaased in 2012

4. Chris had not advised Dave that the concert was been recorded with the intention of capturing as much spontaneity as possible.

5. The was Dave's last recording before he died.

Reviews

www.criticaljazz.com – review - copyright

The name Brubeck brings to mind classic American music. While a great many people think of Dave Brubeck and Take Five, Chris Brubeck is blazing his own musical trail immersed in Delta Blues, Tin Pan Alley standards and a host of eclectic roots music that is the backbone of American music spread out over a variety of genres.

Live at Arthur Zankel Music Center is a magnificent buffet from which to sample a variety of musical genres and celebrates Chris Brubeck's prolific and prodigious talents as both a musician and composer. As a musician Chris Brubeck budgets his time between fretless electric bass, piano and bass trombone. The beautiful thing about Brubeck is that he drives critics insane. Lately Brubeck has been working in more orchestral settings having been commissioned to compose for up to eight different orchestras. Brubeck's versatility celebrates the joy of what music making is about. Jazz musician, classical composer or trombonist makes no difference. Chris Brubeck is a rare and gifted artistic chameleon blessed with the chops to change colors at will.

Opening with a blistering version of the delta blues classic "Rollin' & Tumblin" this unplugged ensemble shines with Peter Madcat Ruth blowing harmonica like a man possessed and Joel Brown keeping pace on guitar. Taking a more contemporary blues twist and ironic commentary on today's economic climate is the Ruth penned "Win The Lotto." A funky blues infused tune with the beat aimed at your feet, "Win The Lotto" is more musical fun than one group should be allowed to have with Chris Brubeck on piano and driving the harmonic train on a tune with an infectious New Orleans groove smoldering just beneath the surface. "Phonograph Blues" is a Robert Johnson classic given a more organic twist with 85 year young Frank Brown on clarinet. In the middle of "Blue Rondo a la Turk" the 90 year young Dave Brubeck makes his way to the piano bench amidst thunderous applause from the audience. The senior Brubeck has no knowledge that the evenings performance was being recorded with the intention of capturing as much spontaneity as possible.

Chris Brubeck may grow tired of comparisons between himself and his father and while comparisons are inherently unfair there is one blatantly obvious musical truth. The apple does not fall far from the tree in the Brubeck clan.

Live at Arthur Zankel Music Center is a wonderful slice of Americana. Organic, eclectic and always swinging this music captures the joy of making music and the celebration of a musical bond between father and son. Chris Brubeck is indeed his own man and his own artist and music is better for this.

A slice of Americana that while unplugged is as raw and alive as you can get. A solid winner!

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