Originally broadcast over French radio and released for the first time in 1994, this performance from 1962 finds Gerry Mulligan and his sidemen (valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer, bassist Bill Crow and drummer Gus Johnson) generally sounding inspired throughout their spirited set. Mulligan is first heard taking a fine blues solo on piano during "Spring Is Sprung" before Brookmeyer enters to make the trio a quartet; Jeru also plays piano on "Darn That Dream" while Brookmeyer accompanies the baritonist on "Subterranean Blues." The one disappointment to the set is that the two horns only interact on "Five Brothers" and "Blueport" (other than the brief closing theme "Utter Chaos"), but even on the piano pieces there is enough creativity, wit and charm to continually hold one's interest and the tradeoff on "Blueport" is a highpoint. ~ Scott Yanow|
Rovi
Originally broadcast over French radio and released for the first time in 1994, this performance from 1962 finds Gerry Mulligan and his sidemen (valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer, bassist Bill Crow and drummer Gus Johnson) generally sounding inspired throughout their spirited set. Mulligan is first heard taking a fine blues solo on piano during "Spring Is Sprung" before Brookmeyer enters to make the trio a quartet; Jeru also plays piano on "Darn That Dream" while Brookmeyer accompanies the baritonist on "Subterranean Blues." The one disappointment to the set is that the two horns only interact on "Five Brothers" and "Blueport" (other than the brief closing theme "Utter Chaos"), but even on the piano pieces there is enough creativity, wit and charm to continually hold one's interest and the tradeoff on "Blueport" is a highpoint. ~ Scott Yanow
Rovi