Although a touch underrated,
Jazz at Oberlin is one of the early
Dave Brubeck classic recordings. The interplay between the pianist-leader and altoist
Paul Desmond on "Perdido" borders on the miraculous, and their renditions of "The Way You Look Tonight," "How High the Moon" and "Stardust" are quite memorable.
Brubeck's piano playing on "These Foolish Things" is so percussive and atonal in one spot as to sound like
Cecil Taylor, who would not emerge for another two years. With bassist
Ron Crotty and drummer
Lloyd Davis giving the
Quartet quiet and steady support,
Brubeck and
Desmond were free to play at their most adventurous. Highly recommended.