Customer Reviews

Two of a Mind

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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See my previous review of regarding the first Desmond/Mulligan collaboration..."Gerry Mulligan/Paul Desmond Quartet". "Two of a Mind" and "Gerry Mulligan/Paul Desmond Quartet" should be sold as a set. It would be musical heresy to buy one and not the other. These two CDs represent an uncanny level of telepathy in jazz improvisation that has never since been acheived between two musicians. If there is music in heaven it's being played by Desmond and Mulligan. Enjoy!

When Desmond and Mulligan first got together on record it resulted in the 1957 Verve album "Gerry Mulligan/Paul Desmond Quartet." Worthy as that LP was, this 1962 album for RCA is better, a complete classic from start to finish. Perhaps they'd each simply improved as players in the intervening years, perhaps they listened more closely to each other, but the feel of the album fully justifies the title. If you only want to get one, THIS is the one to get.

I did not hear this recording in 1962 when it came out. The booklet accompanying this CD suggests that, comparatively speaking, "Two of a Mind" fell flat among its potential audience because of the Bossa Nova craze, which did, indeed, attract a lot of attention. But many of us were listening intently to jazz at the same time, and I think it is not impossible that this recording just did not fire many people in 1962, and hence never became popular, because it was not judged exciting enough. Hearing it now, that is certainly what I feel myself. Normally, I am a great fan of both Desmond and Mulligan, and the prospect of hearing the two together greatly appealed to me when I bought the CD. The music is affable, pleasant, and competent, but, though the performances are impeccable enough (after all, both saxopohonists were among the really great ones of their period), there is a degree of lifelessness here - a lack of the necessary spark. I tend to listen to the CD as pleasant background music rather than as a strong musical experience, and doubt whether I would buy it again. Ironically, both Desmond and Mulligan played music far more exciting - separately as well as together - when playing with Dave Brubeck. I feel that on this occasion they did not truly inspire each other, even though working harmoniously enough...

Desmond and Mulligan recorded two albums together in a quartet form; Blues in Time and Two of a Mind. Both are classics; the sessions sound loose and free, and they really swing. In fact, rarely outside of the Dave Brubeck quartet did Paul Desmond find the ability to swing like this, as his solo outtings often tended to be more somber. The Baritone of Mulligan really compliments Desmond's alto very well. If you have to choose between Blues in Time and this album, your better bet is to go with this album. They both sound like they could have come from the same sessions, but the songs just tend to hold together a bit better on Two of a Mind. Be sure to check out Desmond literally breath new life into "Stardust."

I first listened to this a youngster, loved it then and appreciate it more now.Jerry and Paul seem to know just how to compliment each other.A must for sax fans.

Little else to add. Mulligan backing-up Desmond's lead is a joy...
Just a wonderful, great, terrific (more superlatives) album. That says it all - - or, all that's necessary. Enjoy!

I bought this album when it came out in 1962. I was in high school, and was a trombone player. I have no idea whatsoever what made me buy it without having heard a single track! It was an exciting and very lucky introduction to jazz. And to this day, after 45 years of listening to jazz, it still contains some of my favorite music.