Brubeck Plays Brubeck

""Walkin' Line" is named for the starkly etched bass, outlined with the melody in the first 8 bars. Gradually more voices are added in the right hand, while the left continues to play a walking bass.[...] For the improvised choruses, I employ a fuller harmonic approach."

""In Your Own Sweet Way" contains three improvised choruses which to me are an example of the cohesiveness that can be obtained in improvisation."

""Two-Part Contention" is divided into three sections, marked by three tempo changes. The first is a medium tempo; the second, slow; and the last, a fast tempo. The written portion of this tune is heard in the opening 32 bars. These two melodic lines are repeated throughout the piece. In the second section, I introduced a pattern of answering the right hand with the left hand, abruptly changing the register of the piano. In the third section, I tried to improvise within the limitation of two lines in the first chorus."

""Weep No More" was written in 1945. The only public performance has been in the ETO, arranged for big band and vocalist."

""The Duke" is a tribute to Duke Ellington, recorded with the quartet in a previous album. It is the only completely written, unimprovised piece in the album."

""When I Was Young" was originally written as a waltz in 1952."

""One Moment Worth Years" recalls a moment years ago when I bought my first phonograph record. It was Fats Waller's "Fair and Square" backed by "There's Honey on the Moon Tonight". Something of the Waller swinging bass tradition is preserved here."

""The Waltz" contains two improvised choruses which, to me, are quite humorous. Inadvertently, I started to improvised in half-time, then desperately tried to get back into the original tempo. Once back there I decided I rather liked the half-time, so changed again. On each listening, I experience a certain anxiety at this indecision, and then finally surprise and relief when I have metaphorically crossed the tightwire and am once more back to the platform."