In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons reminds us that "Brubeck's sound, and perhaps his appeal to the college audience, was based on a blend of European 'classical' harmony and counterpoint with jazz rhythmic feeling and improvisation." Brubeck's Quartet was especially known for its use of unusual time signatures — 5/4, in the case of "Take Five," which was recently voted by listeners the best jazz song of all time at NPR Music.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet plays "Take Five" here:
Lyons recommends the Dave Brubeck Quartet's album, Dave Brubeck's All-Time Greatest Hits (Columbia), which is available only in vinyl. Jim Determan (who updated the Lyons list for CD) recommends the two alternative CDs below and points out that "Either or both of these discs would make an appropriate substitute for the recommended LP. The first one contains 'Take Five' and the other odd time signature material, which include many of the more memorable of Brubeck's 'hits.' The Greatest Hits CD picks up some of the other material, like 'Duke,' his tribute to Ellington."
- Time Out (Sony) Purchase from Barnes & Noble.
- Greatest Hits (Columbia/Sony) Purchase from Barnes & Noble.
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