Tag: Dave Brubeck

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Clang, clang, clang!

Today I made the delightful discovery that Voctave has recorded “The Trolley Song” — one of my absolute most favorite songs of all time!

My first introduction to this song was on my Dad’s recording of the Dave Brubeck Quartet, featuring Paul Desmond on alto saxophone. I was in high school and saxophone was my main instrument at the time. So, Paul Desmond was basically my hero, but more than that was simply how the song made me feel. It’s just so buoyant and happy.

It wasn’t until many years later that I saw the movie, “Meet Me in St. Louis,” and finally heard the original version of the song, sung by Judy Garland. I found it to be just as buoyant and happy as ever.

Which brings me back to Voctave. In addition to the buoyant and happy song itself, I love the over-the-top fun and creativity they brought to their version.

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Time for a break

I’ve been thinking about the idea of being in the world but not of it (yes, I know it’s from scripture, but I’m just paraphrasing). To me this speaks to the challenge of finding that fine balance between being engaged and responsible in the world, while at the same time being aware of — and trying to live more on — the higher levels of reality.

Of course, that’s hard work (especially these days)! So, it was perfect to find this video of Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five” — because it’s time for a break (“take five” — get it? 😉) and because this is such a surprising, yet totally entertaining, rendition of the piece.

Of course, then I had to go back to the source and listen to the original version of “Take Five.” Why? Because Paul Desmond continues to be my all-time favorite alto saxophonist hero. His playing was just so darned tasteful and melodic.

But also because I learned to love the Dave Brubeck quartet when my Dad played the album as I was growing up. Plus Miles Davis; all nine Beethoven symphonies; Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition; Oscar Peterson; Schubert’s Rosamunde; Thelonious Monk; and so on and so forth. ..

Great memories…and we still love listening to music together (or would if we could get together; oh well). Thanks for the gift of music, Dad! 💗