New CDs Feature Diverse Work Of Dave Brubeck, Hank Williams

By Tom Wilk
Contributing Writer
   Dave Brubeck and Hank Williams were born 33 months apart in the 1920s and went on to become stars in jazz and country music, respectively.
     Brubeck, who turned 91 on Dec. 6, remains an active musician, while Williams, who died at 29 on Jan. 1, 1953, has influenced generations of singer/songwriters from Bob Dylan to Norah Jones.
     The work of Brubeck and Williams is spotlighted in different ways on two new compact discs.
     “Their Last Time Out” (Legacy Recordings) is a two-CD release of the final concert of the Dave Brubeck Quartet in their initial incarnation. Recorded in Pittsburgh on Dec. 26, 1967, the concert shows the democratic nature of the quartet as it runs through original compositions and songs by Stephen Foster (“Beautiful Dreamer”) and Duke Ellington (“Take The ‘A’ Train”).
     Drummer Joe Morello steps to the forefront on “For Drummers Only,” an extended percussion workout. Bassist Eugene Wright, the group’s sole African-American member, evokes the struggles of the civil rights on “Let My People Go,” which he composed. Pianist Brubeck is featured on his own “Three To Get Ready,” while alto saxophonist Paul Desmond leads the quartet through “Take Five,” their signature song, in the concert finale.
     Recorded in monaural sound, the CD is a worthy addition to the Brubeck catalog for both musical and historic reasons.
      Williams doesn’t sing on “The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams” (Egyptian/CMF Records/Columbia) but his presence is felt throughout. After his death, notebooks were discovered with lyrics for songs he never got the chance to record. More than half a century later, they are seeing the light of day.
     The new album features a cross-section of country, rock and pop musicians putting their own music to Williams’ lyrics. It’s an experiment that works and shows his timelessness as a songwriter.
     The songs reflect Williams’ forlorn and bluesy side (“You’ll Never Again Be Mine” by Levon Helm and “The Love That Faded” by Dylan).
     Lucinda Williams offers the upbeat side of her namesake on “I’m Happy I Found You” while Merle Haggard spotlights Williams’ love of gospel music with “The Sermon on the Mount.”
      The dozen songs on the album scratch the surface of what Williams left behind. More than 40 sets of lyrics remain, leaving the door open for a sequel.