For a time in the late '50s, the U.S. government hired jazz groups to record transcriptions for free programs distributed to radio stations, such as The Navy Swings. This CD, issued by the English label Avid Entertainment in 2007, includes all of the complete performances from this 1958 program, but eliminates the recurring theme of "The Duke" (which had voice-overs) and the recruiting announcements as well. The quartet, with alto saxophonist
Paul Desmond, drummer
Joe Morello, and bassist
Joe Benjamin (a temporary replacement for
Eugene Wright, who took leave to work briefly with
Carmen McRae), is in good form, though the performances are briefer than one would expect, simply because the group was following the needs of the military. This is a great opportunity to hear alternate versions of songs like "Nomad," "Sounds of the Loop," and "I'm in a Dancing Mood," which never really became part of
Dave Brubeck's repertoire for the long haul. There's also a trio version of
Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way" that surprisingly omits
Desmond, and a stunning miniature of the pianist's "Thank You (Dziekuje)." The sound is fairly good, so this obscure release will have some appeal to
Brubeck's fans, who should ignore
Richard Palmer's often inane liner notes (especially for his referring to the Concord, CA, native being from the South).