Track Listing

1. You'll Never Know
2. I'm Alone
3. Autumn in Our Town
4. So Lonely
5. I'm Afraid the Masquerade Is Over
6. I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance with You
7. Pacific Hail
8. September Song
9. Summer Song
10. Thank You
11. Georgia on My Mind
12. Spring Is Here
13. Sweet Lorraine
14. Memories of You
15. This Love of Mine
16. Indian Summer

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11719 in Music
• Released on: 2007-08-07
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Amazon.com
In his prime, Dave Brubeck was never known for his delicacy as a pianist--quite the opposite. But it's that quality that defines "Indian Summer," a collection of lightly nuanced ballads featuring him alone at his instrument, confronting old age at 86. With its slow-to-leisurely tempos and plainspoken style, this 72-minute effort is best heard in small sections. But there's no denying the emotion at the heart of tunes like "September Song," "I'm Alone," and the title song, or the charm of the subtle stride and blues touches he applies to classics, including "Memories of You" and "Georgia on My Mind." --Lloyd Sachs

Customer Reviews

An intimate evening in a high class piano bar
It's been nearly fifty years since "Take Five" vaulted Dave Brubeck out of the ranks of popular jazzmen and into the top tier of multi-genre music icons. He got there in 1960 without compromising his musical standards, and he has continued his career the same way. Indian Summer is a solo piano outing that ranks with the 86-year-old's most satisfying work. The first thing that comes to the mind of a longtime Brubeck fan is that his playing here is more subtle than generally remembered. The obvious reference is Bill Evans, not Time Out/Time In Brubeck Quartet. There are hints of the softer side of Scott Joplin, reminders of Keith Jarrett's solo explorations, and glimpses of Eubie Blake and Fats Waller, but mostly it's just Dave at his most reflective, meditating on a mix of standards, originals and songs he loved long ago. Very nice.

copyright © 2007 Port Folio Weekly. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

Originally published in Port Folio Weekly, 8/21/07

Brubeck still a genius at age 86!
I don't often write reviews, but I was so angry at another reviewer's rude comment "Dave does elevators" that I had to respond. If there is an elevator with such glorious music, tell me where it is, so I can repeatedly ride it.

Folks like me that read the solo piano playlist before buying would have an idea what to expect from this recording. With the title "Indian Summer," one would expect it to be reflective of Dave's long life as a musician. He delivers a very nuanced, beautiful, intimate set of pieces, at age 86 and with a very painful injury (explained in the liner notes). These are mostly ballads, yet the pacing and dynamics vary, some swing, some get downright funky, others are quieter and more melodic. All have Dave Brubeck's intricate harmonies. This is a wonderful recording to sit and reflect on the Indian Summer of your own life.

longtimefan
I have been buying Dave Brubeck recordings for over 50 years. My first recordings were Dave at Storyville and Jazz goes to College. This latter album has been my favorite album for this whole period of time. I have heard him in person several times. I think he is simply amazing still making recordings at the age of 86. His playing is so good. I wish some music critics would have been kinder to him. One person said that Dave Brubeck is not much better than a cocktail pianist. This is a gross insult to one of the greatest jazz pianists I have ever heard. Lance Leipold