Mulligan meets Hodges

[White Lightning]

Received this yesterday from CDUniverse:

and gave a couple of spins.

I've never heard this music before and was really excited that Verve had decided to reissue it.

First impressions:

It's a nice disc - unpretentious, easy going music. Both Mulligan and Hodges were masters in producing such an atmosphere and they do it effortlessly here.

3 tunes are those lazy-blues Hodges was famous of. It's always nice to listen to any of Hodges-Blues tunes. I liked the more finger poppin' "Back Beat" the most.

2 tunes by Mulligan. Both dedicated to Hodges: "Bunny" and "18 Carrots for Rabbit". These two are my favorites in this album. Bunny is sprightly, sunny and lighthearted. 18 is energetic and jovial. The interplay between Mulligan and Hodges here is at its best.

This is definitely not an essential Mulligan or Hodges, but it's a nice album to listen to.

ps, why using these awful digipaks? They are ugly, cheap looking and in my case at least - the CD almost cracked when I tried taking out of the box.

But hey - I'd be happy to buy the CD wrapped in a brown paper bag, if that would endure the continuation of the Verve reissue program.

[Guest mary mcgoon]

The new Verve LPRs are even worse because it's hard to get a grip on the CD edge with those. It took me 10 suspense-filled minutes to get "Attica Blues" out of its case.

I'm quoting myself from another topic... these digipaks are definately hazardous to the CDs. I've found breaking off one or two of the teeth helps- the CD is still held tightly enough.

[White Lightning]

I'm quoting myself from another topic... these digipaks are definately hazardous to the CDs. I've found breaking off one or two of the teeth helps- the CD is still held tightly enough.

On my Digipak you can't even break a tooth or two - it's a solid plastic! Yikes!!

[P.D.]

Received this yesterday from CDUniverse:

But hey - I'd be happy to buy the CD wrapped in a brown paper bag, if that would endure the continuation of the Verve reissue program.

Provided the price is right..

I have avoided Verve because I don't like their packaging, nor their pricing. These last I bought because I wanted the music and at $8.39 O. K.

But why the fake Japanese issue look

Fake Obi strip????? really makes you wanna buy.. true collectors item.....

folded up note sheet which no doubt is an English translation of the English notes ( they left it out of the Giuffre.. on purpose????

or was I short changed????

The Bastards....

The Hodges was the only Verve " Mulligan Meets" that I never owned.. in the Lp days I thought it was overpriced... really short playing time

I know it's the music that counts, but about 30 mins music??? thank the big Guy it wasn't one of their $18.99 specials.

That being said I agree with White Lightenings review of the music

Question why is the photo quality of the Giuffre cover so poor.. was the original LP that bad????

[BruceH]

Truth to tell, I bought this album yesterday without listening to it yet. I'm a little behind in the listening lately. But this was a re-issue I'd been waiting for. And White Lightning's rewiew has kicked it to the top of the line-up!

[Stefan Wood]

This is an EXCELLENT sounding cd of some great music. I was quite surprised and pleased. Go Verve!!! (who would have thunk?)

[P.D.]

It's not a matter of thunking Stephan, Verve have lots of great albums... all locked away.

Though it does seem as though the drought of the last couple of years is coming to an end

Now if they would only issue them well compiled, packaged and at decent price levels.. we'd be more than happy.

[clandy44]

About 33 minutes, a real short sheet special. On the other hand, I worship the ground Rabbitt walked on so I am most happy to have this. This is not a burner, but rather two pros doing Johnny's bluesy ballads thing as well as it can be done. As I said elsewhere, however, it took a good 5 minutes to coax that little suckah out of the digipack-would have used my teeth, but wood can't bust these packages.

[Stefan Wood]

PD,

Yes, I know about their great catalog, but until now, they never have really mined it like they are doing now for reissues. If they keep up this pace, this will be great for jazz listeners. Better price? Okay, they DID start at 18.99 at one time, but all the recent ones can be bought at stores for 11.99 (I bought mine at CDuniverse for 8.99). I think they are well priced right now. I haven't had the problems with getting the cds out of the case -- can't say why. But I'll take the packaging over the old Verve elites any day.

Edited June 28, 2003 by Stefan Wood

[DrJ]

I agree with Stefan on all accounts. Personally, I think the packaging is just fine - certainly FAR better than the stuff many collectors tolerate otherwise without ever complaining (CD-R's with grainy black and white photocopied tray cards, Fresh Sound and Collectibles cheesy looking jobs, etc).

If by using the Digipack they can keep the price down to $11.99, sell more, and get more of the back-catalog out (such as the Billy Mitchell, the kind of stuff that used to only appear in the defunct Elite Edition series for almost twice the price), then BRING 'EM ON IN DIGIPACKS!

[Dan Gould]

Right on, Dr. J!

And good to see you here on a more regular basis .... I guess the baby still hasn't arrived

[P.D.]

O.k I obviously don't like Verve.. as a CD producer..it was all we talked about on the Old Verve board.. but their reissue program was much better a few uears back when they put out those 2cd sets, example the Dizz Big Band, The Ben Webster,Sweets , Carter etc usually three lps plus extras, even the Swung Trumpets was a plus.. to get the Sweets plus Clayton date.

Then we had the really bad Finest Hour years.

I agree, at least now they are bringing out some rarer items.. this Hodges / Mulligan hasn't been reissued much.. only once on LP domestically.. and not too much elswhere. and as I've been able to pick up copies of the ones I wanted for$6 -$9.00, my verve boycot has ended.. sort of.

and Dr J, I suppose ollectors like to Collect and Cdr's of music unavailable elswhere, are better than nothing

As to Grainy labels... well I guess I should swap something with you

[DrJ]

Hey, I'm here P.D., anytime! B)

Dan - yep, as Mr. Petty once said, "The waiting is the hardest part." 38 weeks and counting...

[BruceH]

This album, despite its brevity, is very good music, well worth the money. In fact, if it weren't a digipak and had a decent cover, I'd call it a no-brainer. At least Verver stopped using those stupid cardboard slipcases that the CD's get stuck in! This has great sound, too. (Gatefolds, mini-albums, digipaks.....sometime Verve is going to come full circle back to regular jewel cases.)