At the Village Vanguard (Spec Packaging) [Original recording remastered, Import]

Gerry Mulligan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 7, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered, Import
• Label: Universal I.S.
• ASIN: B0000631D6
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,103 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is incredible, January 21, 2006

By 

Pharoah S. Wail (Inner Space) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: At the Village Vanguard (Spec Packaging) (Audio CD)

I bought this sometime in 2005, loved it, but decided not to review it because right on the sleeve (it's a cardboard package with the cd slipped inside a fuzzy little envelope like the Sam Rivers - Crystals package, not a jewel case) it says it's a limited release that goes out-of-print in september of 2005. I just figured there's no point in reviewing it since the review would effectively die in several months. Now here we are in 2006 and it's still available.

The band is Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax and piano. Mel Lewis drums. Bill Crow bass. Nick Travis, Clark Terry, Don Ferrara trumpets. Bob Brookmeyer, Willie Dennis, Alan Ralph trombones. Gene Quill clarinet and alto saxophone. Bob Donovan alto. Jim Reider tenor saxophone. Gene Allen baritone saxophone and bass clarinet.

Who knows how much longer this will be around. If you think you might want it, GET IT. This band is amazing and the sound of the recording is fantastic! I like the couple slower tunes too, quite lovely interpretations of these tunes, but the uptempo stuff is the heart and soul of this album. There's not a single note I'd want to change here and the intensity is really something to behold. This band swings ruthlessly and the soloing is impeccable.

Even if you're not what you'd call a "big-band person", don't let that stop you. Glenn Miller this is not! Then again if you have high blood-pressure or arthritis you may want to take your medicine before popping this into the player because your heart-rate will rise and you're going to be moving. This is one of my favorite cds I bought in all of 2005 and from my first listen last year to my most recent listen yesterday, I've been in envy of everyone who ever attended a concert by this band on one of their good nights. I assume this was a phenomenal night because this thing knocks me out from the first track to the last, but if they were even better than this, and if that stuff was recorded, then please some label, any label, release or re-release all those albums because my soul and wallet are waiting.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Terrific Big Band Jazz, October 29, 2002

By 

Frank Levy (Newton, Massachusetts United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: At the Village Vanguard (Spec Packaging) (Audio CD)

This was a terrific record when it was issued and it is just as good today. The up-tempo pieces feature tight arrangements and great solos and the band's enthusiasm is infectious. The balads are lovely as well. The sound on the CD is excellent. I would recommend the CD to any jazz lover.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It has finally arrived, May 23, 2002

By 

"reddknob" (ELMHURST, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: At the Village Vanguard (Spec Packaging) (Audio CD)

I've been waiting a long time for the reissue of the Concert Jazz Band albums. Granted this is only one but it is one of the better ones. I had hoped that Mosiac would do a "complete" box set but with this release it appears that is a dream. The music on this CD is excellent. The CD sound is much crisper than my LP and cassette versions. I would recommend this album to any jazz fan especially someone into big bands... A classic that deserved better.