Ken Dryden Posted October 26, 2007 Report Share Posted October 26, 2007 I like this one a lot: Paul Desmond with The Modern Jazz Quartet My vinyl copy is in storage right now and I'm not familiar with the quality of the CD reissue. It's a lovely recording. I concur. The CD sounds fine. It's available on eMusic as well, with bonus tracks. I thought the recording quality wasn't that great. I had the LP and eventually got the CD, which is when I realized how poor the sound was. I was told that Desmond actually blocked the release of this concert during his lifetime. "Jesus Christ Superstar" is easily one of the lamest tunes that Desmond ever recorded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted O'Reilly Posted October 29, 2007 Report Share Posted October 29, 2007 I like this one a lot: Paul Desmond with The Modern Jazz Quartet My vinyl copy is in storage right now and I'm not familiar with the quality of the CD reissue. It's a lovely recording. I concur. The CD sounds fine. It's available on eMusic as well, with bonus tracks. I thought the recording quality wasn't that great. I had the LP and eventually got the CD, which is when I realized how poor the sound was. I was told that Desmond actually blocked the release of this concert during his lifetime. "Jesus Christ Superstar" is easily one of the lamest tunes that Desmond ever recorded. I think I heard at the time that it was recorded on a cassette machine, as a souvenir, and never intended for release commercially. I have it as a Finesse CD from Japan, copyright 1981 (it was a Finesse LP) with 7 tracks. Doug Ramsey reports in his great Desmond book that 'Take Five' and 'Valeria' were dropped, and that Desmond was not happy with 'Take Five', so perhaps his wishes were followed in the long run... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel A Posted October 29, 2007 Report Share Posted October 29, 2007 (edited) "Jesus Christ Superstar" is easily one of the lamest tunes that Desmond ever recorded. "Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da", done as a calypso, is not far behind. (Unfortunately it is included on 'Summertime', disrupting the atmosphere of an otherwise balanced set.) Edited October 29, 2007 by Daniel A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceH Posted October 29, 2007 Report Share Posted October 29, 2007 "Jesus Christ Superstar" is easily one of the lamest tunes that Desmond ever recorded. "Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da", done as a calypso, is not far behind. (Unfortunately it is included on 'Summertime', disrupting the atmosphere of an otherwise balanced set.) The horror...the horror... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabshakeh Posted December 24, 2021 Report Share Posted December 24, 2021 (edited) Working on a personal theory that the Desmond I like the most is those records where he has the least harmonic support and therefore has to actually play. What are the sparest Desmond records? Are there any where it's just him with a trio or in duo with max one chordal instrument? Edited December 24, 2021 by Rabshakeh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted December 24, 2021 Report Share Posted December 24, 2021 The records with Mulligan. Just them, bass, and drums. One on Verve, one on RCA. Or...there's an early Fantasy date with him & Don Elliot, no chordal instruments on that one. About Desmond "actually playing", though...the earliest Brubeck quartet records (on Fantasy) have Desmond REALLY playing. Just sayin'... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pim Posted December 24, 2021 Report Share Posted December 24, 2021 1 hour ago, Rabshakeh said: Working on a personal theory that the Desmond I like the most is those records where he has the least harmonic support and therefore has to actually play. What are the sparest Desmond records? Are there any where it's just him with a trio or in duo with max one chordal instrument? So you're not talking about his classic records with Jim Hall on RCA are you? Less harmonic support than that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted December 24, 2021 Report Share Posted December 24, 2021 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabshakeh Posted December 24, 2021 Report Share Posted December 24, 2021 3 hours ago, Pim said: So you're not talking about his classic records with Jim Hall on RCA are you? Less harmonic support than that? I think the Halls are a good example: Desmond Blue - not an album I enjoy. Easy Living - much sparer and a great record. 4 hours ago, JSngry said: The records with Mulligan. Just them, bass, and drums. One on Verve, one on RCA. Or...there's an early Fantasy date with him & Don Elliot, no chordal instruments on that one. About Desmond "actually playing", though...the earliest Brubeck quartet records (on Fantasy) have Desmond REALLY playing. Just sayin'... I need to revisit those Mulligans. I've only really listened to Two of A Mind which didn't win me over. Obviously those early Fantasies are great. I'd just been listening to one when I posted the initial question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjazzg Posted December 24, 2021 Report Share Posted December 24, 2021 3 hours ago, JSngry said: This is my favourite Desmond, I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pim Posted December 24, 2021 Report Share Posted December 24, 2021 (edited) 20 minutes ago, Rabshakeh said: I think the Halls are a good example: Desmond Blue - not an album I enjoy. Easy Living - much sparer and a great record. I need to revisit those Mulligans. I've only really listened to Two of A Mind which didn't win me over. Obviously those early Fantasies are great. I'd just been listening to one when I posted the initial question. I prefer the other Mulligan/Desmond album. I love this one: https://www.discogs.com/master/373333-The-Paul-Desmond-Quartet-Live and I think you will too it’s exactly that space you are probably meaning that makes it so good. The Take Five on this album is better than the original imho… Edited December 24, 2021 by Pim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted December 24, 2021 Report Share Posted December 24, 2021 25 minutes ago, Rabshakeh said: I need to revisit those Mulligans. I've only really listened to Two of A Mind which didn't win me over. For the sax work, I probably prefer the Verve. Succinct! But on the RCA record, follow the bass lines, they are strong and compelling and provide the context for everything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjzee Posted December 24, 2021 Report Share Posted December 24, 2021 6 hours ago, Rabshakeh said: Working on a personal theory that the Desmond I like the most is those records where he has the least harmonic support and therefore has to actually play. What are the sparest Desmond records? Are there any where it's just him with a trio or in duo with max one chordal instrument? The most obvious answer to me is the Mosaic Desmond box. Accompanied by just guitar, bass, drums; on one date, trombone, bass, drums. Sublime music. Also, be aware that while currently available, the Desmond box is now listed as "running low." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonewall15 Posted December 24, 2021 Report Share Posted December 24, 2021 Desmond really plays on an early Columbia LP (CL-622) "Brubeck Time". Fortunately this LP has been released on CD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted December 24, 2021 Report Share Posted December 24, 2021 2 hours ago, Stonewall15 said: Desmond really plays on an early Columbia LP (CL-622) "Brubeck Time". Fortunately this LP has been released on CD. Ditto Jazz Goes To College. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabshakeh Posted December 24, 2021 Report Share Posted December 24, 2021 3 hours ago, Pim said: I prefer the other Mulligan/Desmond album. I love this one: https://www.discogs.com/master/373333-The-Paul-Desmond-Quartet-Live and I think you will too it’s exactly that space you are probably meaning that makes it so good. The Take Five on this album is better than the original imho… I really love this record. I even like it's weirdly cozy cover. 48 minutes ago, JSngry said: Ditto Jazz Goes To College. Every time I play that record my wife asks, without realising it, at the exact same point in track 2: "What is this we're listening to? It's amazing." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medjuck Posted December 24, 2021 Report Share Posted December 24, 2021 1 hour ago, JSngry said: Ditto Jazz Goes To College. Le Souk! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Dryden Posted January 5, 2022 Report Share Posted January 5, 2022 Don’t overlook 1975 - The Duets, a terrific duo with Dave Brubeck. I love the spacey intro to “Koto Song.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HutchFan Posted January 7, 2022 Report Share Posted January 7, 2022 On 1/5/2022 at 0:31 PM, Ken Dryden said: Don’t overlook 1975 - The Duets, a terrific duo with Dave Brubeck. I love the spacey intro to “Koto Song.” Yes! That! ^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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