Live at the Berlin Philharmonie [IMPORT] [LIVE]

Gerry Mulligan, Dave Brubeck

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 18, 1995)
• Original Release Date: November 7, 1970
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import, Live
• Label: Columbia Europe
• ASIN: B0000253GQ
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #415,660 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Recorded live at the Berln Philharmone in 1970. This fine recording features Gerry Mulligan (Baritone sax), Alan Dawson (Drums), Jack Six (Bass) and Dave Brubeck (Piano). Includes the songs: 'Things Ain't What They Used to Be', 'The Duke', 'Limehouse Blues', 'Take Five' and 'Lullaby of Mexico'. Available for the first time in its entirety and includes two previously unavailable tracks ('Out of Nowhere' and Mexican Jumping Bean' ).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You've Got to Get This One, Friends, February 1, 2001

By	D. Mataconis (Bristow, Virginia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Live at the Berlin Philharmonie (Audio CD)

Don't get me wrong, I love jazz recorded in a studio, and my collection is full of that kind of stuff. But jazz is primarily a live art, and its in the interaction between musician and audience that it achieves its best. That is no more apparent anywhere than in this recording featuring Dave Brubeck and Gerry Mulligan, two of the best (and, based on the amount of time Ken Burns spent on them in his recent documentary, most under-rated) of America's post-swing jazz musicians.

There's much that could be said about all of performances on this CD, but the best thing I can do is just tell you to listen to them. Some of the best treats come from the tracks that were left off of the original vinyl release, such as "Blessed Are The Poor", "Out of Nowhere", and "Out of The Way of The People". Mulligan's powerful baritone sax and Brubeck's distinctive piano fit together perfectly, and the two musicians, encouraged by the auidence no doubt, bring out things in each others' performance that I don't think we'd hear from a studio recording.

At the time I wrote this review, this recording ranked at about 46,000 on Amazon's sales rank. Obviously, too few people are paying attention to this gem. Do yourself a favor, buy it now.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding - vibrantly alive and successful, September 22, 2001

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

This review is from: Live at the Berlin Philharmonie (Audio CD)

I totally agree with the one other person who has reviewed this recording (consisting of two substantial CDs!) that it has been badly underrated recently, which probably shows how important (and annoying) a part fashion plays in the appreciation of jazz. The fact is, though, that Brubeck and Mulligan formed an outstanding combination, as the two leading musicians of this quartet - certainly not inferior to the combination of Brubeck and Desmond. The hard, driving swing on many of the tracks is truly to be heard to be believed, and contagious. The inventiveness of both of the key musicians was never at a more inspired pitch; indeed, one doubts that it often, if ever, reached this level. The foursome produced an excellent combination, with an outstanding bass-player and fascinatingly versatile drummer. No wonder that the Berlin audience wanted to hear MORE, MORE, MORE! I play the CDs regularly, in a whole variety of moods, and invariably get a real "kick" out of them. It especially is music to lift one's spirits when other events tend to overwhelm one with depresssion, as in the current days of world tension. This music, I feel, is therapeutic, with all its spectacular harmonies, melodic twists, yet wonderful lucidity and bounce. Unhesitatingly recommended, not least for its great entertainment value. And all four musicians are constantly working within the fundamentals of JAZZ, that great American form of music. - Joost Daalder

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Two giants of jazz at their peak., February 9, 2009

By	GB (Sebastopol, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Live at the Berlin Philharmonie (Audio CD)

The duo of Brubek and Mulligan play so sympathetically together and both are at such an incredible peak of performance on this disc that you can not help but wish that there were even more songs to add to this incredible disc. I have never heard Brubek's playing sound so on fire and Mulligan whose tone is always so gentle and haunting blends in and mixes with Brubek seamlessly. Tracks like 'The Duke' and 'New Orleans' are stand outs and who would have thought that there could be a great version of 'Take Five' without Desmond's smooth sound but here it sounds like it was written for Mulligan. The only possible quibble would be when part of the rhythm section takes the lead (a not common practice in this concert) there is a slight loss of momentum as they can not keep up with the two headliners. Still if you don't have this one in your collection and you like jazz you will not be sorry if you pick this one up. That is for certain.