Query: Tony Bennett and Dave Brubeck

[Fer Urbina]

Anyone with access to any of these issues, could you check the track "That Old Black Magic" with Tony Bennet on vocals?

* The Essential Dave Brubeck (C2K 86993)

* Vocal Encounters (CK 61551)

or the LP Summit Sessions.

I'd need any discographical info provided in those records as well as any other details about that recording.

Reason is I've seen discographies saying that track is from 1962 with the classic Brubeck quartet, and having listened to it, there's no alto, the bass is electric and there is some assorted percussion (bongos and tambourine?) as well as electric guitar. I've also read elsewhere that it was recorded in 1971, which is more like it.

Thanks in advance.

Fernando

[Ken Dryden]

The Summit Sessions LP's liner notes give August 28, 1962 as the date of recording, citing a concert on the Mall in Washington, D.C., which also featured Pearl Bailey and Dave leading his full quartet. I have little reason to think that 1971 could be a possible date, by then, Brubeck had left Columbia after Clive Davis insisted that he record on a Fender Rhodes, something of no interest to Brubeck.

The LP does not break down individual musicians by track. It is very possible that the rhythm section (other than Brubeck) was from Bennett's band.

I also own the CD, but I think the original liners should be sufficient.

Edited April 28, 2009 by Ken Dryden

[Fer Urbina]

The Summit Sessions LP's liner notes give August 28, 1962 as the date of recording, citing a concert on the Mall in Washington, D.C., which also featured Pearl Bailey and Dave leading his full quartet. I have little reason to think that 1971 could be a possible date, by then, Brubeck had left Columbia after Clive Davis insisted that he record on a Fender Rhodes, something of no interest to Brubeck.

The LP does not break down individual musicians by track. It is very possible that the rhythm section (other than Brubeck) was from Bennett's band.

I also own the CD, but I think the original liners should be sufficient.

Many thanks, Ken.

What's on the Summit Sessions LP seems to be the source for Bruyninckx, Lord, etc., with the added mistake of putting Bennett together with the classic Brubeck Quartet.

I don't know the source for the possible 1971 date - I've seen it around in the internet. However, on aural evidence, it does seem more 1971 than 1962. In any case, it'd be very useful if you or anyone else could have a look at the CD just to see whether the information is any different from what the LP liners say.

Thanks again.

F

[Ken Dryden]

The release year of the Summit Sessions LP was 1971. Brubeck states in his liner notes that someone had suggested that his quartet join Tony Bennett for a number at the 1962 concert in D.C. The same August date is given in the CD, though no additional personnel are listed. I have no reason to believe this is incorrect, 1971 sounds very unlikely to me, particularly since they document the timing of the concert (following a Kennedy event at the White House).

There is an unidentified guitarist and also a Latin percussionist. I've never paid that much attention to the bass line, though I can understand why you may think it is an electric bass, as it is a little muddy.

[Fer Urbina]

The release year of the Summit Sessions LP was 1971. Brubeck states in his liner notes that someone had suggested that his quartet join Tony Bennett for a number at the 1962 concert in D.C. The same August date is given in the CD, though no additional personnel are listed. I have no reason to believe this is incorrect, 1971 sounds very unlikely to me, particularly since they document the timing of the concert (following a Kennedy event at the White House).

There is an unidentified guitarist and also a Latin percussionist. I've never paid that much attention to the bass line, though I can understand why you may think it is an electric bass, as it is a little muddy.

Plus Desmond is nowhere to be heard.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

F

PS Anyone interested, an excerpt can be heard in the Amazon links I provided.

[Ken Dryden]

I was copying Brubeck's notes. I was aware that Desmond didn't play, I don't why I didn't mention that.

[Fer Urbina]

This should probably sort this one out...

F

[mikeweil]

The liner notes on the Vocal Encounters CD by Brubeck go along with site linked, but do not identify the bongo or guitar player.

I hope it's not an April fool's joke ...

[Ted O'Reilly]

This should probably sort this one out...

F

That site helps, though you'll note it doesn't actually say Bennett joins with Brubeck, though we can assume that tracks 8 to 13 are that combination.

Further, "Tony Bennett with Ralph Sharon, piano; Hal Gaylord, bass; and Billy Exner, drums" has two names wrong: Gaylor and Exiner. At least it doesn't say Sharin'...