Jeez, this is one they should hand to the new radio recruits as they report for duty. The pacing is spot-on perfect--the proportion of words to notes somehow works wonderfully. More, the host is as laidback and easygoing, yet smart, as Brubeck's classic works. She's jsut enough of the piece, never too much. I can't imagine any station format where this wouldn't fit in the evening. You could say she softballed him a little bit--nothing on the question of whether black musicians resented his Time cover, etc--but what the hell, that's all been covered, he's an old guy (though still right there), and in the end it's such a treat to see his music and his personality blend together.
This is a terrific hour of radio that could work just as well for music stations as for news/talk stations. It's not the definitive Brubeck profile nor the standard longform Q and A. It's a wonderful hour of conversation accompanied by a first rate music mix. Hardcore Brubeck fans probably won't learn anything new here but no doubt they'll appreciate the way Brubeck stretches out with his interviewer and talks about jazz and his own career and lots more. Guided by Fishko who's present asking good questions and coming in every now and again to bridge various parts of the interview to keep it lively but mostly standing back and listening, Brubeck is generous, thoughtful, expansive and inspiring. The music production is superb; it's perfectly timed and balanced. This broadcast is a delight to listen to many times over.
In a very engaging way, the interviewer of this piece, Sara Fishko, brings out the personal side of Dave Brubeck. She never intrudes on his delivery, even allowing extra time of complete silence for him to complete a thought.
I particularily liked the longer musical segments that, were mixed with the short "phrases". One really gets the feeling by the end of the program that you now know something new and fresh about this fabulous jazz artist.
Exquisite production - panning and zooming from story to music - the combination of Brubeck's stories and music clips (happily, not always specific to the story) - provide an all encompassing FEEL of the man's life, beyond the facts. You start imagining his music room, his breakfast, the views out his windows, the colors he likes - it's crazy because there is none of that actually in the piece. Fishko, the interviewer is easy company -almost like a niece or a daughter- a friendly unobtrusive nudge, keeping the forward motion, a succint host. The music to word ratio never drags and there are beautiful nuggets - like Miles Davis famous version of Brubeck's In Your Own Sweet Way - and then Brubeck playing it unaccompanied at home...the display of personality, musical individuality is stunning and handled with great subtlety. Then there's history: Brubeck quietly talks about spreading the idea of freedom through jazz. It's pretty inspiring. He wonders why arts and music programs are being cut in schools today while during the depression, when bread was scarce, music was the last thing they'd ever take away. good question.
It's an hour that works on a lot of levels.
Perhaps this program has already been picked up by all the stations out there across the land and my attempt to add a glowing beacon of hubbub to it is no longer necessary. In the off chance, however, that this is not the case, please allow me to gush about this fine use of air time.
This is an abundantly informative and friendly dip into the body of work of living Jazz legend Dave Brubeck. Sara Fishko (host) does a tremendous and respectful job of guiding listeners through Mr. Brubeck's illustrious past. There are plentiful breaks provided to allow us to soak up the specific recorded works being discussed and the selected passages are just enough of a sample for our ears to linger in without allowing the flow of the conversation to slip away.
There are some fascinating and enlightening moments in here which I am reluctant to spoil in this review for those who have yet to listen. I will share with you, however, what I feel is the underlying reason explaining how Fishko allows for these insightful thoughts to surface for Mr. Brubeck. I believe it comes from her completely honest and respectful approach with her guest. Brubeck seems so comfortable with the atmosphere she has created that I believe he feels he could share just about anything with her. Granted, the interview is conducted in his own home, where one would expect an obvious level of comfort, but even still, Fishko's warmth and well informed questioning sets the stage for Brubeck to unfold.
This is a delightful 59 minutes and I applaud the producers of the work for their efforts in sharing it. I only wish they could have come up with a more descriptive title for the piece... just kidding.
Comments for WNYC's Fishko Files: An Hour With Dave Brubeck
This piece belongs to the series "WNYC's Fishko Files"
Produced by Sara Fishko
Other pieces by WNYC
Rating Summary
5 comments
Bill McKibben
Posted on February 09, 2005 at 07:45 AM | Permalink
Review of An Hour With Dave Brubeck
Jeez, this is one they should hand to the new radio recruits as they report for duty. The pacing is spot-on perfect--the proportion of words to notes somehow works wonderfully. More, the host is as laidback and easygoing, yet smart, as Brubeck's classic works. She's jsut enough of the piece, never too much. I can't imagine any station format where this wouldn't fit in the evening. You could say she softballed him a little bit--nothing on the question of whether black musicians resented his Time cover, etc--but what the hell, that's all been covered, he's an old guy (though still right there), and in the end it's such a treat to see his music and his personality blend together.
Mary McGrath
Posted on July 12, 2004 at 09:50 AM | Permalink
Review of An Hour With Dave Brubeck
This is a terrific hour of radio that could work just as well for music stations as for news/talk stations. It's not the definitive Brubeck profile nor the standard longform Q and A. It's a wonderful hour of conversation accompanied by a first rate music mix. Hardcore Brubeck fans probably won't learn anything new here but no doubt they'll appreciate the way Brubeck stretches out with his interviewer and talks about jazz and his own career and lots more. Guided by Fishko who's present asking good questions and coming in every now and again to bridge various parts of the interview to keep it lively but mostly standing back and listening, Brubeck is generous, thoughtful, expansive and inspiring. The music production is superb; it's perfectly timed and balanced. This broadcast is a delight to listen to many times over.
John Nunn
Posted on July 06, 2004 at 09:43 AM | Permalink
Review of An Hour With Dave Brubeck
In a very engaging way, the interviewer of this piece, Sara Fishko, brings out the personal side of Dave Brubeck. She never intrudes on his delivery, even allowing extra time of complete silence for him to complete a thought.
I particularily liked the longer musical segments that, were mixed with the short "phrases". One really gets the feeling by the end of the program that you now know something new and fresh about this fabulous jazz artist.
[redacted]
Posted on July 02, 2004 at 06:29 AM | Permalink
Review of An Hour With Dave Brubeck
Exquisite production - panning and zooming from story to music - the combination of Brubeck's stories and music clips (happily, not always specific to the story) - provide an all encompassing FEEL of the man's life, beyond the facts. You start imagining his music room, his breakfast, the views out his windows, the colors he likes - it's crazy because there is none of that actually in the piece. Fishko, the interviewer is easy company -almost like a niece or a daughter- a friendly unobtrusive nudge, keeping the forward motion, a succint host. The music to word ratio never drags and there are beautiful nuggets - like Miles Davis famous version of Brubeck's In Your Own Sweet Way - and then Brubeck playing it unaccompanied at home...the display of personality, musical individuality is stunning and handled with great subtlety. Then there's history: Brubeck quietly talks about spreading the idea of freedom through jazz. It's pretty inspiring. He wonders why arts and music programs are being cut in schools today while during the depression, when bread was scarce, music was the last thing they'd ever take away. good question.
It's an hour that works on a lot of levels.
John Schaefer
Posted on June 29, 2004 at 10:01 PM | Permalink
Review of An Hour With Dave Brubeck
Perhaps this program has already been picked up by all the stations out there across the land and my attempt to add a glowing beacon of hubbub to it is no longer necessary. In the off chance, however, that this is not the case, please allow me to gush about this fine use of air time.
This is an abundantly informative and friendly dip into the body of work of living Jazz legend Dave Brubeck. Sara Fishko (host) does a tremendous and respectful job of guiding listeners through Mr. Brubeck's illustrious past. There are plentiful breaks provided to allow us to soak up the specific recorded works being discussed and the selected passages are just enough of a sample for our ears to linger in without allowing the flow of the conversation to slip away.
There are some fascinating and enlightening moments in here which I am reluctant to spoil in this review for those who have yet to listen. I will share with you, however, what I feel is the underlying reason explaining how Fishko allows for these insightful thoughts to surface for Mr. Brubeck. I believe it comes from her completely honest and respectful approach with her guest. Brubeck seems so comfortable with the atmosphere she has created that I believe he feels he could share just about anything with her. Granted, the interview is conducted in his own home, where one would expect an obvious level of comfort, but even still, Fishko's warmth and well informed questioning sets the stage for Brubeck to unfold.
This is a delightful 59 minutes and I applaud the producers of the work for their efforts in sharing it. I only wish they could have come up with a more descriptive title for the piece... just kidding.