Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This 1959 recording brings together two fine musicians from worlds that one might not usually connect. Gerry Mulligan's light and airy baritone saxophone represents the "cool," and Ben Webster's burred and blustery tenor is the epitome of a very "warm" swing. When this was recorded, however, the quintet was actually a working band. Mulligan had a profound appreciation of Webster's talent, and the two shared an affection for the music of Duke Ellington and his composing partner, Billy Strayhorn, both of whom are represented here. With pianist Jimmy Rowles, an accompanist of legendary subtlety, and the sparkling rhythm team of bassist Leroy Vinnegar and drummer Mel Lewis, this is wonderful small-group jazz, literally beyond classification. There's something unique in the ensemble sound of the two horns, with all the gravity concentrated in the higher tenor, but this is very much a blowing session, with Webster at his lyrical, passionate best. --Stuart Broomer

Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster, Music, Gerry Mulligan, Jazz, Jazz Music, Pop

Average customer rating:

Welcome to the West

4 1/2 The Parts Better Than the Whole

Blow Men Blow...

Best of Swing Meets Best of Cool

Good for any occasion

Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster
Gerry Mulligan
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson (20-Bit Master)

Quartet

The Original Quartet With Chet Baker [2-CD SET]

Getz Meets Mulligan in Hi-Fi

King of the Tenors

ASIN: B0000047A9
Release Date: 1990-03-21

Tracks:

Chelsea Bridge
The Cat Walk
Sunday
Who's Got Rhythm
Tell Me When
Go Home
In A Mellotone
What Is That Thing Called Love
For Besse
Fajista
Blues In B Flat

Amazon.com

This 1959 recording brings together two fine musicians from worlds that one might not usually connect. Gerry Mulligan's light and airy baritone saxophone represents the "cool," and Ben Webster's burred and blustery tenor is the epitome of a very "warm" swing. When this was recorded, however, the quintet was actually a working band. Mulligan had a profound appreciation of Webster's talent, and the two shared an affection for the music of Duke Ellington and his composing partner, Billy Strayhorn, both of whom are represented here. With pianist Jimmy Rowles, an accompanist of legendary subtlety, and the sparkling rhythm team of bassist Leroy Vinnegar and drummer Mel Lewis, this is wonderful small-group jazz, literally beyond classification. There's something unique in the ensemble sound of the two horns, with all the gravity concentrated in the higher tenor, but this is very much a blowing session, with Webster at his lyrical, passionate best. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

Welcome to the West.......2007-02-19

After aquiring a couple hundred "jazz" cd's ranging from the most avant garde to the most mainstream playing from the Blue Note 50's, I noticed I had nothing from Gerry Mullian or the "West Coast" White Cats. I have always thought Ben Webster was quite awesome, especially the fact that he played with Ellington and was influneced by Johnny Hodges. So this album really suprised me. I could tell that this was a making of the west coast, you can feel the cloudy Jack Kerouac San Fransico streats in this record. Mellow and Upbeat at the same time, these guys trade lines as if they have been playing together for years. The fact that these guys did indeed play with each many times before the sessions and were friends explains why this one is loved more than most of the large amount of all star jam sessions Norman Granz put together. Mel Lewis and Rythm section play beautifully. This exceeded my expectations

4 1/2 The Parts Better Than the Whole.......2006-12-10

Yes, it is an excellent CD, but it's not the best work done by either man, and I don't quite buy the symbiotic quality ascribed to this work by some others. The quartet does excellent work together, and I love the song choice, but there's a little too much respect going on here, as if the two leads were very careful--perhaps too much so--about giving each other their due. As a result, there's a little hesitancy in their work, and some of the songs just don't let loose enough, don't swing to the fullest.

Having said that, it's still a very enjoyable CD, especially on "In A Mellowtone," "Sunday," the loose, jokey 'Shoes' number, and their MJQ chamber music-like take on "Chelsea Bridge." The latter song may indeed be worth the price of the CD, but this composition probably makes any CD worth its price. That's more a testament to the song, one of the greatest in the jazz library, and only those with minimal competence could ruin it. There's a little too much blues on the CD as well. I love blues, but when played on a jazz CD it can get tedious after awhile.

All the musicians are in great form, and it's exciting to listen to this meeting of two of very best jazz musicians, but I think their solo work tops this collaboration. Ben Webster is always wonderful; you might want to start with "Big Ben." I've just discovered Mulligan (I have no idea why it took me so long), but I feel his two live concerts in Paris are more exciting and creative. After listening to Webster and Mulligan separately, you'll have heard each at his best, then give this CD a try
as a generally very satisfying experiment.

Blow Men Blow..........2006-04-16

Two great sax players, one a tenor the other a barritone went into a recording studio at the end of the Fifties and produced a great album; "Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster". Both musicians were graduates of big bands, Mulligan with Gene Krupa and Webster with Ellington where they perfected their trade, here, they jam together with a small group of distinguished players: Leroy Vinnegar, Jimmy Rowles and Mel Lewis. This updated CD version includes a number of cuts that were not on the original album,including "In A Mellow Tone". A terrific playlist of ballads and swing, the two horns compliment each other beautifully and the end product is thrilling. I suggest you sample their take of "Chelsea Bridge". Gerry and Ben will be a great addition to your music library. As the Hipsters of this era would intone; "You
will dig it in a large way man."

Best of Swing Meets Best of Cool.......2006-01-22

This album has a special place in my heart as my favorite of all the collaborations between older musicians of the swing era and younger musicians who were changing jazz in the fifties. Of all the old school players, Webster was the most skillful at keeping his own musical personality while keeping an open mind to the influence of the newer innovators. GERRY MULLIGAN MEETS BEN WEBSTER goes way beyond a simple "jam session" in which two musicians get together, show their stuff, then pack up their horns and go home. This album shows the signs of being a true artistic collaboration between very different, yet equally gifted, musicians. From the opening of "Chelsea Bridge," where Webster plays the melody as Mulligan makes his trademark use of the baritone sax as a rhythm instrument, this album is brilliant all the way through.

This is one collaboration where the whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts. By combining Webster's warm swing with Mulligan's cool West Coast style, these two great players produced a work of unique artistry.

Good for any occasion.......2005-11-11

Whether its your first introduction to these two great artists, jazz in general, or if you're casting around for something interesting, this is for you. Lazy, cool, smooth, a perfect accompaniment at the end of a long hard day. I'd give it more stars if possible!

The Complete Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster

Average customer rating:

Alternate Take Overkill

The Complete Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster
Gerry Mulligan
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Half the Perfect World

ASIN: B0000047G0
Release Date: 1997-10-28

Tracks:

In A Mellow Tone (CD Master Take)
In A Mellow Tone (Alternative Take)
What Is This Thing Called Love? (CD Master Take)
Chelsea Bridge (LP Master Take)
Chelsea Bridge (Alternative Take)
Go Home
Go Home (LP Master Take)
Who Got Rhythm? (LP Master Take)
For Bessie (CD Master Take)
Go Home
Go Home

Tracks:

Fajista (False Start)
Fajista (Alternative Take)
Fajista (Discussion And Rehearsal)
Fajista (CD Master Take)
Tell Me When (Alternative Take)
Tell Me When (LP Master Take)
Blues In B-Flat
Blues In B-Flat (Alternative Take)
Blues In B-Flat (CD Master Take)
The Cat Walk
The Cat Walk (Alternative Take)
The Cat Walk
The Cat Walk (LP Master Take)
Sunday (Alternative Take)
Sunday (LP Master Take)

Amazon.com

This 1959 recording brings together two fine musicians from worlds that one might not usually connect, with Gerry Mulligan's light and airy baritone representing the "cool" and Ben Webster's richly burred tenor possibly standing for the epitome of a very "warm" swing. When this was recorded, however, the quintet was actually a working band. Mulligan had a profound appreciation of Webster's talent, and the two shared an affection for the music of Duke Ellington and his composing partner Billy Strayhorn, both of whom are represented here. With the accomodating Jimmy Rowles on piano and the fine rhythm team of bassist Leroy Vinnegar and drummer Mel Lewis, this is consummate small-group jazz that's beyond classification. There's something unique in the ensemble sound of the two horns, with all the gravity concentrated in the higher tenor, but this is very much a blowing session, with Webster at his lyric and passionate best. The two-CD set offers a host of alternate takes that are a fine display of the improvisers' art. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

Alternate Take Overkill.......2000-12-10

"The Complete Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster Sessions" is the perfect example of why some classic jazz albums should be left alone, and why some bonus material should just stay in the vaults. There is no disputing that "GM Meets BW" is an all-time great session, and kudos to Verve for still making it available as a single CD. That disc combined the original six LP masters with five songs from the session that were previously unreleased. This "Complete" two-disc set basically adds another entire disc's worth of alternate takes for eight of those eleven tunes, including three (!) each of "Fajista," "Go Home," and "The Cat Walk." We are not talking about the "Legendary Charlie Parker Dial Sessions" here, where every alternate version produced a different Parker solo and allowed you to see a great improviser at work. The Ben and Jeru alternates are valuable, but most people will skip around them (as I often do). Don't get me wrong, I think that it is great that Verve is taking the time to assemble quality releases of historical significance. (This same initiative led to the release of the amazing three-CD "Complete Lee Konitz Motion Sessions" which did have a plethora of unreleased gems.) I just don't think "The Complete Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster Sessions" is for everyone.

Average customer rating:

Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster
Gerry Mulligan
Manufacturer: Mobile Fidelity
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Blue Train

ASIN: B000000IUE
Release Date: 1995-07-11

Tracks:

Chelsea Bridge
The Cat Walk
Sunday
Who' Got Rhythm?
Tell Me When
Go Home

The Silver Collection: Gerry Mulligan Meets the Saxophonists

Average customer rating:

A Good Sample
Jazz on Sax

The Silver Collection: Gerry Mulligan Meets the Saxophonists
Gerry Mulligan with Ben Webster and Johnny Hodges
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000046Z0
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Chelsea Bridge - Gerry Mulligan, Ben Webster
Tell Me When - Gerry Mulligan, Ben Webster
Bunny - Johnny Hodges, Gerry Mulligan
18 Carrots (For Rabbit) - Johnny Hodges, Gerry Mulligan
Come Rain or Come Shine - Gerry Mulligan, Zoot Sims, Zoot Sims
Red Door - Gerry Mulligan, Zoot Sims, Zoot Sims
Scrapple from the Apple - Stan Getz, Gerry Mulligan
This Can't Be Love - Stan Getz, Gerry Mulligan
Line for Lyons - Paul Desmond, Gerry Mulligan
Body and Soul - Paul Desmond, Gerry Mulligan

Customer Reviews:

A Good Sample.......2005-03-30

This is a good sample of swinging tunes Mulligan recorded with other top notch saxophonists. A nice blend of standards and Mulligan originals. The highlights are the Zoot Sims-Mulligan and Paul Desmond-Mulligan teams. Favorite tunes are 'Chelsea Bridge, 18 Carrots For A Rabbit, and Line For Lyons." Fine out of production sampler of some of Mulligan's brightest moments. If you can find yourself a copy, highly recommended.

Jazz on Sax.......2003-08-31

The smooth beat of the desmond group is well worth the purchase of this music.
I personally have not found any artist in the current wave of performers to measure up to the Desmond ,Brubeck quality.,however the closest today is David Sanborn,and possibly Rick Braun.

Complete Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster

Average customer rating:

Complete Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster
Gerry Mulligan
Manufacturer: Universal/Polygram
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Broadway & Vocalists | Imports | Stores | Music

Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music

Pop | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000007W0Y

Tracks:

In a Mellow Tone (Baby, You and Me)
In a Mellow Tone
What Is Thing Called Love
Chelsea Bridge [LP Master Take]
Chelsea Bridge
Go Home [Breakdown Rehearsal/False Start]
Go Home [LP Master Take]
Who's Got Rhythm [LP Master Take]
For Bessie [CD Master Take]
Go Home [End of Unedited 3]
Go Home [Unedited Insert]
Fajista [False Start]
Fajista
Fajista [Discussion/Rehearsal]
Fajista [CD Master Take]
Tell Me When
Tell Me When [LP Master Take]
Blues in B Frat [Breakdown/Discussion/False Start]
Blues in B Frat
Blues in B Frat [CD Master Take]
Cat Walk [Rehearsal/Discussion/False Start/Breakdown]
Cat Walk
Cat Walk [Warm Up/Breakdown]
Cat Walk [LP Master Take]
Sunday [False Start. Alternative Take]
Sunday [LP Master Take]

Album Details

Japanese 20bit Double CD Release featuring a Bonus Disc of Previously Unreleased Material. Bonus CD Tracks: Fasista (4 Versions), Tell Me When (2 Versions), Blues in B Flat, Cat Walk (4 Versions), and Sandy (2 Versions).

Music:

Music

Music