Alice in Wonderland - Dave Brubeck Quartet

It was on this day in 1951 that Alice in Wonderland was released to theatres for the world to enjoy!

The title track which was written by Bob Hilliard and Sammy Fain and was performed by the Jud Conlon Chorus, was recorded a few years later by jazz musician DAVE BRUBECK and his quartet in 1957.

This version is a bit different than the Bill Evans version I posted before. The Evans version keeps the 6/8 feel of the original, but Brubeck speeds up the song a bit and plays it in 4/4.

Alice in Wonderland Dave Brubeck Quartet 1957

Give a Little Whistle - Dave Brubeck Quartet

Here is another track from the wonderful Disney tribute album DAVE DIGS DISNEY. This time the DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET tackles the Pinocchio classic Give a Little Whistle.

Here is an excerpt the ablum's producer, George Avakian, from the album's liner notes. It mentions counterpoint which is a musical style in which two different time signatures are played at the same time. In this case, it is Dave Brubeck on the piano playing in 4/4 and Paul Desmond on the sax playing 3/4.

"Give a Little Whistle" also features some counterpoint work by these two remarkable musicians. It is one of the earliest Disney tunes in the Dave Brubeck repertoire, and contains one thoroughly unexpected twist-possibly brought on by the fact that the boys have been playing it so long-which is the surprise ending. It's just one of those things that happened in the studio, and we liked it.

Give a Little Whistle Dave Brubeck Quartet 1957

Very Good Advice - Dave Brubeck Quartet

One of my readers, Joe, has requested some Alice in Wonderland covers and I am here to deliver! Tying that into another event, if the voice of the Cheshire Cat, Sterling Holloway, was still alive today he would turn 102! Happy birthday!

STERLING HOLOWAY did a lot of work with Disney. And I mean a lot! He was the narrator in a number of Disney shorts, Mr. Stork in Dumbo, Kaa in The Jungle Book, Roquefort in The Aristocats, and of course, Winnie the Pooh, a role that he voiced until his retirement in 1979!

If I could have, I would have posted a cover of the Jabberwocky song that the Cheshire Cat sings in Alice in Wonderland. So instead I give you Very Good Advice. This song is a turning point in the film for Alice. She desperately tries to be an adult but realizes in this song that she still has a lot to learn.

THE DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET take the melody and turn it into a happy jazz standard. It doesn't really follow the same feel as its original counterpart. If you own DAVE DIGS DISNEY on vinyl you won't hear this song as it is an unreleased track from the studio sessions that was included on the CD release.

Very Good Advice Dave Brubeck Quartet 1957

Some Day My Prince Will Come - Dave Brubeck Quartet

Many Disney songs have become jazz standards over the years. Alice in Wonderland, Chim Chim Cher-ee, I Wan'na Be Like You; but there is no other Disney song that has been used by jazz musicians more than Some Day My Prince Will Come from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. So it comes as no surprise that DAVE BRUBECK included it on his album of Disney tunes.

DAVE DIGS DISNEY was inspired by a Disney album his daughter was listening to. Seeing how much she enjoyed it he decided to record an album that his daughter would enjoy just as much. In these recordings you will hear Paul Desmond on the alto sax, Joe Morello on the drums and Eugene Wright playing the double bass.

In this version you will get the feel that most jazz musicians will give this song. It retains its soft and sweet melodies while the rhythm section gives it a light, brisk tempo.

Some Day My Prince Will Come Dave Brubeck Quartet 1957