Customer Reviews

At Music Inn

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Volume 2 of this series with Sonny Rollins is readily available. This one, with the lesser known Guiffre as guest artist, is not. This excellent import is -for now- the only way to get these long-lost 1956 performances. This CD has the extra bonus of being in true stereo. The LP was never issued by Atlantic in stereo, yet here it is from stereo's earliest days.
Pricey, but worth it.

This is the first of two albums recorded by the MJQ at Music Inn. The second volume, with guest artist Sonny Rollins has been widely available for time. However, this first volume, recorded in 1956 with clarinettist Jimme Giuffre is real rarity and, in my view, is the better album of the two. The combination of the MJQ with the soft tone of the clarinet works extremely well.

Jimmy Giuffre is only featured on three tracks: A Fugue for Music Inn, Serenade and Fun, so MJQ fans should not be put off thinking this is all clarinet stuff.

The remainding six tracks are all excellent, starting with a beautiful rendition of "Oh Bess, Oh Where's My Bess" from George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess" and ending with "Variation No.1 on God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" also recorded elsewhere as "England's Carol". This version features Percy Heath using a bow on the Bull Fiddle (double bass) in parts of the track, which creates a very atmospheric effect.

There is no crowd noise at all on the album and one could be forgiven for thinking it was recorded in the studio.

Also of interest is the packaging itself, which is an exact replica of the original album sleeve (I know, because my brother still has his copy).

In all this is an excellent album and an unmissable gem to add to any collection.

So pleased to see no dissenters among the MJQ fans/reviewers here. This is definitely the better of the two 'at Music Inn' albums. I was present at the performances of "Tunisia" and "Bag's Groove" from Vol. 2. It was exciting at the time, of course, but doesn't hold up so well. For me, Rollins hit his peak with "Saxophone Collossus" and has been trying much too hard ever since. Jackson, a genuine natural genius, benefitted from Lewis' imposed structures and control. He could do almost anything better than anyone else except Parker, but was at his best when put on the spot by Lewis as he is here. Giuffre fits in beautifully on his three tracks and contributes his intriguing composition, "Fun", with its changing moods and challenges for the expanded group. "Two Degrees East/Three Degrees West" is one of Lewis' lasting classic pieces. "Bess, You is My Bess" is among the loveliest pieces the Quartet ever played; Jackson's brief solo on it is just stunning. The MJQ version is as good in its way as the Miles Davis/Gill Evans version, which is the standard by which all the hundreds of others are measured.

I have owned this since it first appeared, Lp and CD, and have never tired of it. Even though my CD was bought at the original high price, it was worth it. Naturally, if you can get it for less, go for it.

For years my favorite jazz album has been MJQ's "European Concert", which has live versions with John Lewis at his exquisite, economical best and Milt Jackson at his swinging, bluesy best. "At Music Inn with Jimmy Guiffre" is just as good. Guiffre's taste and swing work perfectly with the quartet on the three pieces he plays - definitely among the very best "chamber jazz" pieces the MJQ produced. For years this album was available on CD only as a very expensive import. Now it is part of an Avid set called "Modern Jazz Quartet; Four Classic Albums" that is available very cheaply if you order from England on amazon.co.uk (shipping to U.S. is very reasonable). A great value, and wonderful music. All of the Avid "Four Classic" series are superb, and most include some hard to find albums.

What a pity that this recording is presently available only at an outrageous price.

Alas. I have listened to my Modern Jazz Quartet albums so many times that I am tired of them. (You know you're in trouble when John Lewis's piano solos, which used to sound economical and elegant, now sound boring.)

One album I do not think I will ever get tired of is this one. The big plus factor is the presence of Jimmy Giuffre. Giuffre was a talented reed player, and in his prime (and here he is in his prime), a truly gifted composer and arranger. He appears on only three cuts, but he lights them up. His piece entitled "Fun" is one of the very best things the MJQ has ever done.

PS: if you like Jimmy Giuffre here, try Travelin' Light.

Jimmy Guiffre and the Modern Jazz Quartet were born to play with each other.Their artistry blends seanlessly.My only regret is they didn't work with each other more often.