egroj world: Gerry Mulligan • Feelin' Good

Saturday, February 8, 2025

Gerry Mulligan • Feelin' Good

Review
by Ken Dryden
Although the presence of a ten-piece string section conducted and arranged by Julian Lee might make some jazz fans assume this Gerry Mulligan date borders on easy listening, that's hardly the case. The strings are used judiciously for color instead of overwhelming the music, while most of the tracks are either classic ballads or overlooked gems written by the likes of Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen ("Not Mine"), Johnny Mercer and Gordon Jenkins ("P.S. I Love You"), and fairly new tunes such as "The Shadow of Your Smile" (co-composed by Johnny Mandel and Paul Francis Webster) and "Feeling Good" (from the musical The Roar of the Greasepaint -- The Smell of the Crowd). In fact, the opener, "That Lonely Night" (recorded previously by Mulligan as "Night Lights," which he co-wrote with his girlfriend, comedienne/actress Judy Holliday), is a relatively rare opportunity to hear Mulligan play clarinet. While pianist Pete Jolly, guitarists Johnny Gray and Jimmy Helms, bassist Jimmy Bond, and drummer Hal Blaine provide more than adequate support, the focus is on the leader's warm, melodic solos. While this long unavailable LP obviously can't be considered among the top tier of his recordings, Mulligan fans will not be disappointed if they can locate copies.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/feelin-good-mw0001881185

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Reseña
por Ken Dryden
Aunque la presencia de una sección de cuerda de diez piezas dirigida y arreglada por Julian Lee podría hacer suponer a algunos aficionados al jazz que esta cita con Gerry Mulligan roza la escucha fácil, no es el caso. Las cuerdas se utilizan juiciosamente para dar color en lugar de abrumar la música, mientras que la mayoría de las pistas son baladas clásicas o joyas pasadas por alto escritas por Sammy Cahn y Jimmy Van Heusen ("Not Mine"), Johnny Mercer y Gordon Jenkins ("P. S. I Love You"), y temas bastante nuevos como "The Shadow of Your Smile" (co-compuesto por Johnny Mandel y Paul Francis Webster) y "Feeling Good" (del musical The Roar of the Greasepaint -- The Smell of the Crowd). De hecho, la canción de apertura, "That Lonely Night" (grabada anteriormente por Mulligan como "Night Lights", que co-escribió con su novia, la actriz y cómica Judy Holliday), es una oportunidad relativamente rara de escuchar a Mulligan tocar el clarinete. Aunque el pianista Pete Jolly, los guitarristas Johnny Gray y Jimmy Helms, el bajista Jimmy Bond y el batería Hal Blaine proporcionan un apoyo más que adecuado, la atención se centra en los cálidos y melódicos solos del líder. Aunque este LP no disponible desde hace mucho tiempo obviamente no puede considerarse entre las mejores grabaciones suyas, los fans de Mulligan no se sentirán decepcionados si pueden localizar copias.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/feelin-good-mw0001881185

Tracks:
1 - Night Lights
2 - Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone
Written-By – Stept*, Clare*
3 - The Second Time Around
Written-By – S. Cahn-J. VanHeusen*
4 - Not Mine
Written-By – Mercer*, Schertzinger*
5 - P.S. I Love You
Written-By – G. Jenkins*, J. Mercer*
6 - The Song Is Ended (But The Melody Lingers On)
Written-By – I. Berlin*
7 - Love Walked In
Written-By – G. Gershwin*, I. Gershwin*
8 - Feeling Good
9 - Love Is The Sweetest Thing
Written-By – R. Noble*
10 - I'll Walk Alone
Written-By – J. Styne*, S. Cahn*
11 - The Shadow Of Your Smile (Love Theme From The Sandpiper)
Written-By – J. Mandel*, P.F. Webster*

Credits:
    Arranged By [Strings], Conductor [Strings] – Julian Lee
    Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet – Gerry Mulligan
    Bass – Jimmy Bond
    Concertmaster – Harry Bluestone
    Design – Kerig Pope
    Drums – Hal Blaine
    Guitar – Jimmy Helms*, Johnny Gray*
    Photography By – Fred Schnell
    Piano – Pete Jolly
    Producer – Jack Tracy

Label:    Limelight – LS 86030
Country:    US
Released:    1965
Genre:    Jazz, Stage & Screen
https://www.discogs.com/release/2458178-Gerry-Mulligan-Feelin-Good