Paul Desmond Two Of A Mind CD

Personnel: Paul Desmond (alto saxophone); Gerry Mulligan (baritone saxophone); John Beal, Wendell Marshall, Joe Benjamin (bass); Connie Kay, Mel Lewis (drums).
Principally recorded at RCA Studio A, New York, New York on June 26, July 3 & August 13, 1962. Originally released on RCA (2624).
Personnel: Paul Desmond (alto saxophone); Jim Hall (guitar); Gerry Mulligan (baritone saxophone); Connie Kay, Mel Lewis, Ed Shaughnessy (drums).
Audio Mixer: Charles Harbutt.
Liner Note Authors: George Avakian; Peter Keepnews.
Recording information: RCA Recording Studio A, New York, NY (06/08/1962-08/13/1962); Webster Hall, New York, NY (06/08/1962-08/13/1962).
A pinnacle of coolly understated improvisation, 1962's TWO OF A MIND is a highly successful collaboration between the contrapuntally inclined baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan and the lyrical, urbane altoist Paul Desmond. As was Mulligan's penchant during most of his career, this group forgoes the presence of piano or guitar as accompaniment. But the conventional back-up isn't missed at all, as the two master jazzmen dance and weave around each other, filling potentially empty space with an elegant call-and-response that provides a rich harmonic content all on its own. It also helps that the other players include the subtly masterful drummers Connie Kay (from the MJQ) and Mel Lewis. A leisurely and exploratory "Stardust" is a highlight as is the fast tempo "The Way You Look Tonight," a workout to keep all concerned on their collective toes.
Altoist Paul Desmond and baritonist Gerry Mulligan always made for a perfect team during their infrequent collaborations. Both of the saxophonists had immediately distinctive light tones, strong wits, and the ability to improvise melodically. For this RCA CD (a series that reissued some of the earlier Bluebirds under the RCA banner), the two masterful reed players are featured in pianoless quartets that also include Wendell Marshall, Joe Benjamin or John Beal on bass, and Connie Kay or Mel Lewis on drums. The songs all utilize common chord changes, including the two "originals" ("Two of a Kind" and "Blight of the Fumble Bee"), and the interplay between Desmond and Mulligan is consistently delightful. Highly recommended. [The 2003 Bluebird reissue boasts crisp remastered sound, extensive liner notes, and five bonus tracks: alternate takes of two album tracks, "All the Things You Are" and "The Way You Look Tonight," a laid-back take of "Easy Living" that shows off Mulligan's way with a ballad, and two takes of "Untitled Blues Waltz" that feature Jim Hall on guitar and a very squeaky drum pedal. They play the first version straight, but on take two Mulligan shifts over to piano and Desmond tries his hand at baritone, sounding pretty good until the band suddenly stops at scarcely more than a minute and a half into the track. A nice little rarity. The bonus tracks are a strong addition to a great collaborative effort.] ~ Scott YanowDown Beat (3/97, p.59) - 3.5 Stars (out of 5) - "...[a] lovely, forgotten record....the affair has a sureness of swing that perfectly buoys the horn's gentle counterpoint."