Customer Reviews

Dragonfly

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
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I have always loved the music Gerry Mulligan created - either written or spontaneously improvised with his groups. This last and greatest collection immortalizes the genius forever and is his perfect epitaph. Each "tune," as Gerry called them, is perfect in and of itself, and is also perfect in its placement in the album. There is not a selection that is inferior in musical quality or soulful emotion. I am particularly moved by Dragonfly, Backstage, Little Glory, Ninth Life and Underneath a Pale Blue Moonlight. Played over and over and over again, I never tire of the exquisite sounds, the majestic soaring and the subtle glances into the realm of the soul. If there is a heaven, Gerry is there, playing his music - the quality that is on this CD. In the hereafter, God would allow this kind of joy to be found anywhere else.

I remember seeing this 1995 CD being promoted in a Jazz magazine and being drawn to it by the list of guest artistes prominently displayed on the CD's front cover: Dave Grusin on piano, Dave Samuels on vibraphone, John Scofield on guitar, Warren Vaché on cornet and Grover Washington, Jr on soprano & tenor saxophone. I hadn't heard of Gerry Mulligan (or Warren Vaché either) at that point but Grusin, Samuels, Scofield and Washington, I knew only too well. I immediately went out and got a copy and thirteen years later, it's still one of my favourite CDs ever. I've bought a few other Gerry Mulligan CDs since this one (which, ironically, was his last before he passed away in 1996) and I know a lot more now about his legendary contribution to jazz, but I haven't yet come across one I enjoy quite as much.

The first thought that came into my head after listening to the album a few times is how it must have been rehearsed pretty tirelessly before it was recorded. It's so meticulously executed with not a note out of place. The easy-to-hum-along-to improvisations are expertly performed by all concerned and are very exciting no matter how many times I listen to them. Aside from the aforementioned stars, Mulligan is joined on this album by a five-man brass ensemble (Luis Bonilla on trombone, Bobby Milliken on flugelhorn & trumpet, Jim Pugh on trombone, Byron Stripling on flugelhorn & trumpet and Dave Taylor on bass trombone) and a rhythm section made up of Dean Johnson on bass, Ted Rosenthal on piano and Ron Vincent on drums, with whom he made up the quartet in the title.

The upbeat numbers are brilliant enough but, as usual, it's the ballads that really touch me, including "Dragonfly", "Anthem", "Backstage", "Little Glory" and "Listening to Astor". All the tunes are written by Mulligan and arranged & orchestrated by Mulligan, Slide Hampton and all the members of the band. The album was produced by Mulligan & John Snyder.

I've found baritone saxophone really relaxing and this album would be a great place to start if you've never sampled the sound. If you're a fan of any of the stars featured on the album, this is simply unmissable. It's a classic.

Mulligan's last record came out as one of his most beautiful of all times. The tunes are fabulous, the arrangements clever and understated, the players doing a wonderful job. Mulligan with a.o. John Scofield and Grover Washington, Jr. makes an interesting blend, and the outcome is better than anyone could have thought. I truly agree with everything that has been written before this review, and I hope many music lovers will find their way to this record. It is timeless music, genre-crossing, swinging and full of heart.

I had always avoided the old age recordings of my jazz heroes. But I'm glad I gave Gerry Mulligan a chance. Dragonfly is a total delight, and although he was in his last months of life, Mulligan shines with his always rhythmic, always appropriate improvisational phrases. His writing and arranging is, as usual, impeccably done. This was the first time I heard Grover Washington Jr. on tenor sax and I gained a new respect for his work. Dave Gruisin contributes very tasty piano fills and solos. John Scofield on guitar and Dave Samuels on vibes contribute nicely. This CD has over an hour of great cool jazz that should be appreciated by anyone interested - and should be added to the collections of all Mulligan fans.