Review by Ken Dryden
Gerry Mulligan's 1959 studio date with Johnny Hodges is one of the most satisfying sessions of his various meetings with different saxophonists for Verve, yet it was inexplicably the last to be made available on CD. With a hand-picked rhythm section consisting of pianist Claude Williamson, bassist Buddy Clark, and drummer Mel Lewis, and three originals contributed by each of the two leaders, everything gels nicely, though several tracks took more than three takes (in spite of liner note writer Nat Hentoff's assertions) to reach their final form. Mulligan contributed the gorgeous ballad "What's the Rush" (where he sat back to enjoy Hodges' solo and never plays his own horn), the easygoing swinger "Bunny," and the brisk cooker "18 Carrots (For Rabbit)," the latter which its composer would revisit with his Concert Jazz Band. The veteran alto saxophonist contributed the low-key ballad "Shady Side," the sassy blues "Back Beat" (later re-recorded by Hodges during a still unreleased 1960 studio meeting with Ben Webster), and "What It's All About," another potent blues. Throughout the date, the two saxophonists blend beautifully and complement one another's efforts, even though this was their only opportunity to record together in the studio. Sadly, no alternate takes or unissued numbers (at least two of which exist) have been added to this long anticipated reissue.
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Revisión por Ken Dryden
La cita en el estudio de Gerry Mulligan en 1959 con Johnny Hodges es una de las sesiones más satisfactorias de sus varias reuniones con diferentes saxofonistas para Verve, aunque fue inexplicablemente la última en estar disponible en CD. Con una sección de ritmo cuidadosamente seleccionada que consiste en el pianista Claude Williamson, el bajista Buddy Clark y el baterista Mel Lewis, y tres originales aportados por cada uno de los dos líderes, todo encaja bien, aunque varias pistas tomaron más de tres tomas (a pesar de la línea tome nota de las afirmaciones del escritor Nat Hentoff) para llegar a su forma final. Mulligan contribuyó con la magnífica balada "What's the Rush" (donde se sentó para disfrutar el solo de Hodges y nunca toca su propia trompa), el sencillo "Bunny" y la cocina enérgica "18 Zanahorias (Para Conejo)", esta última que su compositor volvería a ver con su banda de jazz de concierto. El veterano saxofonista alto contribuyó con la balada de bajo perfil "Shady Side", el sassy blues "Back Beat" (que luego fue regrabada por Hodges durante una inédita reunión de estudio de 1960 con Ben Webster), y "What Is All About", otra azules potentes A lo largo de la fecha, los dos saxofonistas se combinan a la perfección y se complementan entre sí, aunque esta fue su única oportunidad de grabar juntos en el estudio. Lamentablemente, no se han agregado tomas alternativas o números no emitidos (al menos dos de los cuales existen) a esta reedición tan esperada.
Tracklist:
1 Bunny
2 What's The Rush
3 Back Beat
4 What's It All About
5 18 Carrots For Rabbit
6 Shady Side
Credits:
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges
Baritone Saxophone – Gerry Mulligan
Bass – Buddy Clark
Drums – Mel Lewis
Piano – Claude Williamson
Notes:
Recorded in Los Angeles, November 17, 1959.
Label: Verve Records – 065 513-2, Verve Records – MG VS-68367
Series: LP Reproduction –
Genre: Jazz
Style: Cool Jazz, Swing
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