Big Al Posted July 20, 2003 Report Posted July 20, 2003 I recently picked up Gerry Mulligan Meets Johnny Hodges (which is uniformly excellent; better than anything on the Hodges Mosaic (which I love, BTW!), IMHO!); this led me to get GM Meets Ben Webster, and I think I can say I've finally seen the light. So much so I'm gonna start saving up for the Concert Jazz Band Mosaic. Funny thing is, it's not that I've never liked Mulligan. I've heard some of his tunes on KNTU and been blown away by 'em, but not enough to actually seek out the album or CD. Anyway, the bug's bit me, and off I go, deeper into debt. Quote
Late Posted July 20, 2003 Report Posted July 20, 2003 (edited) Big Al — congrats! A great bug to be bitten by. I think you'll end up digging the CJB Mosaic when it finally comes out, though his big band work is somewhat different than his small group work. In some ways, I think it's more exciting, and Bob Brookmeyer also steps in as an essential voice. The CJB's first eponymous album is pure delight, from track to track (*). I try not to think about the time it will take until September! If you don't already have Mulligan's 2-disc West Coast Classics quartet sessions with Chet Baker, print out that 20% off Borders coupon (on this board), and get thee to your nearest Borders! These recordings, in my opinion, are where Mulligan first shows his "genius." (Quotes used because this term gets thrown around too much.) Then, maybe, you'll want to check out his two recordings with Paul Desmond (one on Verve; one on RCA — both in-print, and I'd personally give the nod to the Verve first). If you're still hungry for more, search out his sextet recordings on EmArcy. All of them are excellent. Michael Cuscuna has made mention that Mulligan's California Concerts on Pacific Jazz are going to be remastered for the U.S. market, and may be available as early as Spring 2004. Additionally, a Mulligan Mosaic Select is in the works, and it should be excellent. It will contain: • A 1957 quartet recording with Baker • A quintet session with Annie Ross • An octet session with five saxophones, Freddie Green, Henry Grimes, and Dave Bailey • The complete "Stringtime" recordings — Mulligan with guitar, violin, cello, bass, drums ... wonderful stuff * With the exception, of course, of yet another dreaded version of "My Funny Valentine." Like a comic who thinks repeating the same hit joke over and over is going to repeatedly bring the same enthusiastic laughter ... Edited July 22, 2003 by Late Quote
brownie Posted July 21, 2003 Report Posted July 21, 2003 What Late said! I'll just add a recommendation for the Mercury/EmArcy albums by the Gerry Mulligan sextet with Jon Eardley (sometime Don Ferrara), Bob Brookmeyer and Zoot Sims. They might be hard to get nowadays but they sure are worth the search. Quote
robviti Posted July 21, 2003 Report Posted July 21, 2003 (edited) a lot of people seem to overlook one of my favorite mulligan recordings: what is there to say? recorded for columbia between 1958-9, this fine disc also features art farmer, dave bailey, and bill crow. Edited July 21, 2003 by jazzshrink Quote
Late Posted July 21, 2003 Report Posted July 21, 2003 (edited) Shrink, I dig that album ... with one exception. I wish that Mulligan would have been banned from playing "My Funny Valentine." Jesus. I wish everyone would have been banned from that tune. OK ... I'll permit Miles' versions (but only from Cookin' and the Columbia album of the same title) and Chet's version (only the original vocal version). Other versions begone! Allright, let's now imagine if all the collective energy invested in recording "My Funny Valentine" covers (over and over and over and over) were instead invested in recording Bud Powell compositions, or Herbie Nichols compositions ... or Wally Cirillo compositions. The world could look like this: And people would be on the streets looking like this: And anyone who decided to play "My Funny Valentine" anyway (though oh so imprudently) would have to deal with this: And then, as penalty, made to watch 37,003 consecutive hours of Friends reruns :eye:, while listening to reggae Christmas compilations sung with a German accent. Yes, that's it. Edited July 21, 2003 by Late Quote
J Larsen Posted July 21, 2003 Report Posted July 21, 2003 So "Jeru" is a nickname for Mulligan? Anyone know the origins of this? Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted July 21, 2003 Report Posted July 21, 2003 I think it came from France. probably from the French capitol of Cleveland. Quote
The Mule Posted July 22, 2003 Report Posted July 22, 2003 (edited) This is the octet recording mentioned above and it's a must have. The arrangements, however, are NOT by Mulligan, but by the great Bill Holman. Unfortunately, I think it's out-of-print... I'm also rather fond of this session with the great Astor Piazolla. Probably shouldn't be one of your first picks, but well worth tracking down once you're hooked on Mulligan. Also, OOP, I'm afraid... Edited July 22, 2003 by The Mule Quote
Late Posted July 22, 2003 Report Posted July 22, 2003 (edited) Jan, I've read that Miles gave Gerry that nickname. I've heard it pronounced "JAIR-uh" (which would kind of sound like a lazy form of "Gerry"), but I've also heard it pronounced "JAY-roo" (and I don't know how that would have come about ... but the Cleveland reference sounds good). His album entitled Jeru, on Columbia, is a nice date, though it's very, very laid back. Gerry with piano, bass, drums, and the softest conga you've ever heard. Great for dinners with the wife. I wish Columbia would reissue it. p.s. In an e-mail I received some time ago from Michael Cuscuna, apparently many stereo reel tapes Mulligan made for Pacific Jazz in 1957 have been "found." Reunion, as a result, will be appearing (I'm pretty sure) in stereo for the first time in the Mosaic Select. And I think that Songbook will also be appearing in stereo. Mule's right: Holman's arrangements are great. The octet session creeps up on you. It didn't strike me as very interesting at first, but now I'm a solid fan. Where else can you hear Lee Konitz, Al Cohn, Allen Eager, Zoot Sims, and Mulligan all solo on the same record? Edited July 22, 2003 by Late Quote
Big Al Posted July 22, 2003 Author Report Posted July 22, 2003 Y'know, I used to have both Mulligan Meets Monk AND Songbook; the former I traded away because programming the CD player was getting bothersome (I know, I know; I'm ridiculously anal when it comes to that, but dammit, Keepnews shoulda had his head examined for doing that!); the latter because..... well, come to think of it, I don't remember. Probably the same brain-fart that made me trade away Endgame Brilliance. When will I ever learn? Hell, for that matter, will I ever learn?!?!? Maybe if a 20-bit remaster of the Monk album ever comes around, perhaps I'll get that. I'd thought about searching out Songbook again (it can usually be found quite easily around here); but if what was said earlier about a stereo version is true, well then, THAT will be worth the wait!!! Thanks for all the advice! Keep the great recs & stories coming! Quote
pryan Posted July 22, 2003 Report Posted July 22, 2003 I've really neglected Mulligan completely, but I'm gonna change that today and pick up one of those Concert Jazz Band Lps (if those originals - I think - are still hanging around in one of my local haunts). Quote
Free For All Posted July 22, 2003 Report Posted July 22, 2003 I've always thought the affinity Mulligan shared with Paul Desmond led to some inspired exchanges. "Two of a Mind" is a favorite of mine; plus, the recent reissue contains some great additional material. For the kind of simultaneous improvisation they do here I think the no-piano concept allows for an uncluttered space for them to do their thing! Quote
J Larsen Posted July 23, 2003 Report Posted July 23, 2003 Jan, I've read that Miles gave Gerry that nickname. I've heard it pronounced "JAIR-uh" (which would kind of sound like a lazy form of "Gerry"), but I've also heard it pronounced "JAY-roo" (and I don't know how that would have come about ... but the Cleveland reference sounds good). Thanks Late, that was the kind of thing I was looking for. I believe JAY-roo is the standard pronounciation of Jeru, which I *think* is an antiquated name for a chariot driver. I can't find it in the dictionary, nor can I tell you why I think that, but it's in my brain for one reason or another. Quote
ejp626 Posted October 15, 2005 Report Posted October 15, 2005 The Age of Steam!!! Damn straight! ← Funny this thread has kind of vanished. I'm a big fan of the Age of Steam and am wondering if it has ever been rereleased. It's quite rare, and I had a CDR that finally passed away. As I started looking to replace it, I find this unusual package that claims it has the original version of the Age of Steam CD plus a master class and interviews on DVD. It can be had fairly inexpensively on amazon or ebay or apparently ejazzlines. Age of Steam Has anyone actually purchased this? Is the CD a regular CD, or is it one of those instructional things with the music separated into channels to allow you to play along with Jeru's solos? According to the reviewer, the CD is fine, but I'd like some independent verification. Many thanks. Eric Quote
JPF Posted October 16, 2005 Report Posted October 16, 2005 (edited) The CD is the original recording, remastered and sounding fine. The DVD has more than 4 hours of material, including a master class, interviews with musicians from The Age of Steam, including Brookmeyer and Tom Scott, an excellent documentary, and a DVD Audio, surround-sound mix of The Age of Steam. An excellent package, well worth the money. And don't pay the $29.99 Amazon is asking - you can get it direct from Artists House for $24.98, including shipping. Edited October 16, 2005 by JPF Quote
sidewinder Posted October 16, 2005 Report Posted October 16, 2005 Verve UK put out an excellent series of Mulligan collaborations many years ago on vinyl called 'Gerry Mulligan Meets the Sax Giants'. 3 volumes - includes much of the material with Hodges, Webster, Getz and Desmond. Vol 2 is a particular sentimental favourite. Quote
alankin Posted October 16, 2005 Report Posted October 16, 2005 An excellent package, well worth the money. And don't pay the $29.99 Amazon is asking - you can get it direct from Artists House for $24.98, including shipping. ← I notice that CD Universe has it for $16.98. Quote
ejp626 Posted October 16, 2005 Report Posted October 16, 2005 An excellent package, well worth the money. And don't pay the $29.99 Amazon is asking - you can get it direct from Artists House for $24.98, including shipping. ← I notice that CD Universe has it for $16.98. ← Thanks. Great news that this is back out, even though it might have been better to reissue the CD on its own as well. Even better news that CD Universe has it, since I think I need to order a few more things from them to get my karma back in balance (I got the Cellar Door at the low price). Quote
alankin Posted October 16, 2005 Report Posted October 16, 2005 An excellent package, well worth the money. And don't pay the $29.99 Amazon is asking - you can get it direct from Artists House for $24.98, including shipping. ← I notice that CD Universe has it for $16.98. ← Thanks. Great news that this is back out, even though it might have been better to reissue the CD on its own as well. Even better news that CD Universe has it, since I think I need to order a few more things from them to get my karma back in balance (I got the Cellar Door at the low price). ← I hope that your karma isn't the source of the delay in the Cellar Door set. (If it is, you better make a large order!) Quote
JPF Posted October 16, 2005 Report Posted October 16, 2005 An excellent package, well worth the money. And don't pay the $29.99 Amazon is asking - you can get it direct from Artists House for $24.98, including shipping. ← I notice that CD Universe has it for $16.98. ← Doh!! Now I find out Quote
BruceH Posted October 24, 2005 Report Posted October 24, 2005 Verve UK put out an excellent series of Mulligan collaborations many years ago on vinyl called 'Gerry Mulligan Meets the Sax Giants'. 3 volumes - includes much of the material with Hodges, Webster, Getz and Desmond. Vol 2 is a particular sentimental favourite. ← All of these 'meetings' are good to great... Is there anyone he didn't meet? Quote
JPF Posted October 25, 2005 Report Posted October 25, 2005 Michael Cuscuna told me, some months back, that the complete Mulligan Sextet recordings will be coming out on Mosaic --- sometime. Hope I'm still around. Quote
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