LogicDude
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On July 1, 1959, the Dave Brubeck Quartet recorded “Take Five.”
Two years later it became a surprise hit and the biggest-selling jazz single ever.
Revived since in numerous movie and television soundtracks, the piece still receives significant radio airplay. The single was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1996.
FPAlpha
I feel like this is the Jazz version of Stairway to Hell whenever you come into a Saxophone/music intrument shop as in you're not allowed to play a single note from it while in the shop.
InoffensivePablum
It was actually written by legendary saxophone player and alcoholic Paul Desmond.
Trimule
Still remember going over to a friend's house in '62 or ' 63, walking in and hearing this. It was the first time I had ever heard music like that. The only thing we had was Rock, Country and Religious. The album belonged to his older brother who was a "college professor".
Pikkupanda
Possibly the coolest track ever recorded.
DiddumsNuts
Don't forget it was composed by Paul Desmond the saxophonist in the video clip. My fave sax player of all time! Understated, melodic, tasteful...
leepupjax
1959 was a monster year for Jazz:
Time Out - Dave Brubeck Quartet (Take Five is on it)
Ah Um - Charles Mingus
Kind of Blue - Miles Davis Quintet
Those three albums have been added to the Library of Congress
Also these other incredible albums cane out:
Giant Steps - John Coltrane
The Shape of Jazz to Come - Ornett Coleman
Moanin' - Art Blakely
If you dont know these, they are on every streaming service.
DrainingSideEffectsOfRestlessSleep
The first CD I ever bought with my own very limited $. Still have.
nachosyndicate
One of my faves.
unluckyandbored
Listen to some of his other music if you get a chance.
Mietm
One of my faves is 'Blue Rondo a la Turk'
Wasnbo
It's wild that I can barely remember the first time hearing about Take Five. Early 2000's, reading video game sprite comics like Bob and George or something, recklessly cruising the world wide web and downloading hosted MP3s and WAVs and the like. I found their album "Time Out" at my local library, and... I'm listening to Strange Meadowlark right now, and it's making me cry a little, and I don't know why.
VinnyVeritas
This absolute classic always takes me to a better place... I'm stuck in the U.S. but my mind & soul is still free. For now.
thesiser
The title alludes to its somewhat unique time signature of 5/4, or 5 quarter notes per measure. This song swings because the thematic phrase (what you hear as soon as the piano comes in) stays on one chord (1 below) for three beats, switches to another chord for a quick two beats (2), and repeat:
11122
The pianist is playing eighth notes though so it matches up better like this where - is a rest:
11-11-2-2-
Music is fun! Also apologies for incorrect wording, I’m a casual musician!
UnicornSausage
My guitar teacher made me practice this. It helped with my timing, insane struggle, and I'm still learning. Give me 4/4!
ViperMD
'Gone With The Wind' and 'Time Out', both from 1959, are excellent albums.
SomaliYachtClub
Thank you. That was nice.
DexPumpkinGod
Remember kids- this is in the key of 5, played to the time signature of E-flat minor.
Freightshaker
Joe Morello is a legend.
desalniettemin
Watch the Great drum solo on You Tube the 8:35 one video.
Gippo53
For those of you who, like me, were wondering... Dave Brubeck is the pianist.
DanielAsparagus
Yes. That’s Dave.
Valleyofwaves
It's a timeless piece and damn, does it groove.
lalwaysupvotecatsandTHT
It's not timeless, it's in 5/4!
skinnyarbuckle
I have the LP. Never gets old.
jstraw731
I have a new pressing. I think i want more crackle hahah
DanielAsparagus
Please for the love of Christ do not listen on your phone if you have better speakers available.
DurbPlnnr
Sorry, couldn't hear you over the bass line on my phone turned the whole way up so I could hear the bass line.
stealthgunner385
And now take 2 more minutes for a masterful mashup of Take Five and Golden Brown. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qs1J612nZs
RichterCa
How about another two for "Five Elise" a Brubeck/Beethoven mashup? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klh6V9ltNHM
stealthgunner385
Please and thank you!
usernametakenisthestoryofmylife
When I was a little kid, i would sneak downstairs and listen to my fathers albums when I was alone. Brubeck, Boots Randolph, Stan Getz. I've always loved sax, but I had to hide this passion from my older sisters, even my dad. If they ever caught me listening to my dad's albums, they would have teased me unforgivingly.
SteveD31415
So you were a sax addict?
chefsoda
That’s sweet and tough at the same time. Amazing music though.
MaybeIllDisappear
That's kinda sad. Why would they tease you for that?!
SteveD31415
If you want to see real snobbery in action, watch some young people talking about music. Eww you like that crap? That's bubblegum reggae ska. I only like thrash metal baroque.
usernametakenisthestoryofmylife
I was the youngest, with 4 older, "rocking!" sisters. Would have never heard the end of it.
jesuisgur
Bah, I listen to a lot of metal and industrial and my kid listens to... classical music, baroque. Dunno if she got that from some metal intros...
Iamathighman
Written by the saxophonist Paul Desmond.
DrProfessorRocketSurgeon
Feels like a dimly lit office, a pack of smokes, and a bottle of bourbon.
petety
Yeah, but like a lot of old stuff when this came out it was new, different and changed music. We just forgot in our complacency.
DrProfessorRocketSurgeon
Which has absolutely nothing to do with my comment.
MektaSatakOz
"...It was a miserable July night. Rain drummed a weak staccato on my office window before washing the day's grime down the street gutters like muck from a smoker's daily drive. I sat behind the desk of my office, flicking cards into a hat and thinking about what hand I was gonna play against the landlord when he came a knocking. My case load was drier than a Temperance League Cookout, and last I checked, hopes and dreams weren't legal tender. 1/2
MektaSatakOz
...I was thinking about opening my desk drawer to pay my respects to Mr Jim Beam when she walked into my office. She had a walk like a burmese tiger eyeing up an explorer and a look in her eye that told you just how well she could have you for supper. "You the private eye Flint Bishop?" she asked, with a voice so husky it could win the Iditarod. I loooked her up and down before taking the bottle of Jim and a pair of glasses out from my desk drawer. "That's what's on the door. Who's askin?" 2/?
HumanFromPlanetEarth
Jazz hasn't run hot or cold since.
SirRuppOfFigs
First heard this on "The Secret Life of Machines"
strangeassfiction
I loved that show! And that bay have been my intro to Brubeck as well!!!!
petety
I love that reference and I always think of "Secret Life" when I hear it. Brubeck lived in my neighborhood when I was glowing up, 221 Millstone Road, Wilton, CT
flornholio
flornholio
Val Bennett - The Russians are Coming (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzqoqzSZkPs)
stealthgunner385
First time I hear of this arrangement. Not bad!
GreasedPrimate
I knew I heard the tune before! I misremembered it also from Secret Life Of Machines…
SirRuppOfFigs
TIL
lurkyloos
The bass player is Eugene Wright. The camera angles are on purpose.
ToonamiT0M
Camera man got fired for allowing this shot to slip in.
apathyboy
1950's cameraman: "A black man playing jazz? Scandalous!"
nubblebun
I have seen this piece of film before a few times; I have this song in my music collection. And I did not notice that about the filming angles until it was pointed out to me. Talk about my fucking white privilege, huh. Thank you for pointing it out to me. If I missed that, what else have I missed over the years?
KevinStrexcorp
Though against the wishes of Brubeck who refused to play places where Eugene wasn't treated right
Stewierules
I was totally wondering about that
TsukariYoshi
Wright: "YUUUUUUUUP."
ciba666
My community band is playing it this summer. Fortunately I have been listening to it for 50 years - so the rhythms are locked into my head.
Jimbo64
"I hear your mad about Brubeck. I like your eyes. I like him too."
LeonSpinks
We've got to have some music on the new frontier...
leepupjax
Didn't feel like typing the background scatting?. Incredible album.
boozer69r
Fans of 70s reggae should check out “Standing Firm” by Jacob Miller. Music is based on Take Five.
beaglepuss
Also "The Russians are Coming" by Val Bennett