Konitz Meets Mulligan

Gerry Mulligan, Lee Konitz

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: January 30, 1953
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B000005H5N
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #135,015 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Quirky Summit, December 28, 2001

By	Tom Schusterbauer (West Bloomfield, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

O.K., so it's mono. And, for much of the recording, Mulligan's quartet seems simply to be backing Konitz. But hang on, this is a marvelous little gem. Mulligan on the bari, Konitz on alto, and--yes--Chet baker on trumpet. How can you pass this up?

But this is more than an artifact. This is jazz at its spontaneous and inventive best. Konitz, freed from Stan Kenton, has all sorts of new ideas about these old standards. And, for many of the cuts, as Lee explores the possibilities, you can hear Mulligan purring far in the background (mono, remember), and, every once in a while, moving to the foreground to make a few statements of his own. These two jazz minds talk to each other, tease each other,support and--in a gentle way--challenge each other.

And, of course, in a few cuts, Baker's sweet trumpet announces itself and joins the two sax players in their explorations. The now-unheralded but extremely deft Carson Smith takes on most of the bass responsibilities, and provides--along with Larry Bunker on drums--a solid stage for Baker, Mulligan, and Konitz to swing on.

Mulligan, Konitz, and Baker, of course, went their separate ways, Konitz and Mulligan to long and brilliant careers, Baker to a briefer, tragic, but still shining career. This, then, was a moment in time, and is now your chance to catch these giants sharing a stage, playing for and with one another, showing admiration and affection for each other's talents and ideas.

Mono--so what? This is a treasure from the vaults of Pacific Jazz. It's bargain priced, but at any price, it's a bargain.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent CD, September 10, 2001

By	Joost Daalder (South Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

At the time these tracks were recorded, both Konitz and Mulligan were among the very best saxophone players alive, as indeed they remained for many years after. And the two intermingle and inspire each other wonderfully here. Mulligan's music, as usual, is characterised by great clarity and "logic", forceful and emotionally satisfying, impeccably performed and always highly musical. Much the same can be said for Konitz, who however is "harder on the ear" in bringing to bear a greater complexity, but of a rewarding kind, as it results from a richly inventive musical mind. Hs music, though demanding, is never difficult just for the sake of it, and certainly not just "cerebral". These tracks, together with his work with Wayne Marsh, feature some of his best and most sensational work. A great CD to own, which will bring permanent pleasure! - Joost Daalder

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Non-Stop Swinging!!, April 24, 2006

By	A. Milian "Lobo" (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

From the opening tune "Too Marvelous For Words," to the last one (I wish there were more) these guys swing. Mulligan, with his great background harmony, through the subtle counterpoint between Baker and Mulligan in "Sextet" and "Broadway", to the dynamic, sweet swinging melodies from Konitz' sax, it's an album that reflects the best of the these greatest of jazzmen. Don't miss this one; you won't be disappointed!