When originally released, Time Out was a solidly recorded study of odd-meter jazz that was destined for greatness, only not everyone may have known it at the time. From Brubeck's contribution to the liner notes - he wrote: "Creating a 'hit' out of the odd-meter experiments of Time Out was the farthest from any of our minds in 1959 when Paul Desmond, Joe Morello, Eugene Wright and I went into the studio to record..." And hit, it did.
Time Out went on to peak at #2 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart and became the very first RIAA certified platinum jazz recording. These cuts will be recognizable to many, simply due to their frequent use in film and television over the years.
In a punchy 9/9 and swing 4/4 rhythm pattern, the first cut, "Blue Rondo A La Turk" slides effortlessly between the frantics of the 9/9 and smoothness of the 4/4 patterns. Brubeck is alleged to have heard this unusual rhythm when observing some Turkish musicians. When Brubeck inquired about the origin of the rhythm, one of the musicians reportedly replied, "This rhythm is to us, what the blues is to you." Recorded on July 1, 1959, the track still maintains distinct modernistic appeal, although captured in the studio so very long ago.
Saxophonist Paul Desmond shines on the second track, "Strange Meadow Lark." The tune begins as a pleasant, easy-on-the-ears jazz cut. Then at 2:09, Desmond's sax kicks in and proceeds to begin its uplifting meadow lark style call. The saxophone turns the initially pleasant track - into a downright dreamy bird's song.
Which brings us to "Take Five," likely the most recognized of all the tracks. Utilizing the unusual quintuple 5/4 time, while featuring a captivating Joe Morello drum solo and enchanting saxophone melody. Together, the drums and sax perform a delightfully intricate aural dance. The song reached #25 on the Billboard pop chart and climbed to #5 on Billboard's Easy Listening Chart. Many films and television programs have included this cut in their projects including a long stint as the theme music for The Today Show on NBC in the early 1960's.
"Three To Get Ready" showcases a sing-song-slow-swing between Brubeck's Piano and Desmond's saxophone. One instrument goes solo, while the other takes the melody and vice-versa. Done in 2 meters of 3/4, 2 meters of 4/4 time, which was a bold metric pattern choice for the time.
An ideal background music piece is "Kathy's Waltz," with its catchy piano melody which weaves itself in and out of a saxophone counter-melody. Also of note is "Everybody's Jumpin," which features the quartet at their best: blending, while shining individually on the same track.
In a punchy 9/9 and swing 4/4 rhythm pattern, the first cut, "Blue Rondo A La Turk" slides effortlessly between the frantics of the 9/9 and smoothness of the 4/4 patterns. Brubeck is alleged to have heard this unusual rhythm when observing some Turkish musicians. When Brubeck inquired about the origin of the rhythm, one of the musicians reportedly replied, "This rhythm is to us, what the blues is to you." Recorded on July 1, 1959, the track still maintains distinct modernistic appeal, although captured in the studio so very long ago.
Saxophonist Paul Desmond shines on the second track, "Strange Meadow Lark." The tune begins as a pleasant, easy-on-the-ears jazz cut. Then at 2:09, Desmond's sax kicks in and proceeds to begin its uplifting meadow lark style call. The saxophone turns the initially pleasant track - into a downright dreamy bird's song.
Which brings us to "Take Five," likely the most recognized of all the tracks. Utilizing the unusual quintuple 5/4 time, while featuring a captivating Joe Morello drum solo and enchanting saxophone melody. Together, the drums and sax perform a delightfully intricate aural dance. The song reached #25 on the Billboard pop chart and climbed to #5 on Billboard's Easy Listening Chart. Many films and television programs have included this cut in their projects including a long stint as the theme music for The Today Show on NBC in the early 1960's.
"Three To Get Ready" showcases a sing-song-slow-swing between Brubeck's Piano and Desmond's saxophone. One instrument goes solo, while the other takes the melody and vice-versa. Done in 2 meters of 3/4, 2 meters of 4/4 time, which was a bold metric pattern choice for the time.
An ideal background music piece is "Kathy's Waltz," with its catchy piano melody which weaves itself in and out of a saxophone counter-melody. Also of note is "Everybody's Jumpin," which features the quartet at their best: blending, while shining individually on the same track.
We at Jazz Music Chart mourn the recent loss of Dave Brubeck, but we rejoice at the rich musical legacy he bequeathed to lovers of jazz music. In our humble opinion, Time Out will always be "in." R.Todd Jones - JazzMusicChart.com.
