The Complete Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster [Extra tracks]

Editorial Reviews
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

The Complete Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster, Music, Gerry Mulligan, Cool, Jazz, Jazz Music, Mainstream Jazz, Pop, Swing, West Coast Jazz
The Complete Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Alternate Take Overkill
 The Complete Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster
Gerry Mulligan
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Cool JazzCool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
Swing GeneralSwing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Traditional Vocal PopTraditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0000047G0
Release Date: 1997-10-28

Tracks:

  1. In A Mellow Tone (CD Master Take)
  2. In A Mellow Tone (Alternative Take)
  3. What Is This Thing Called Love? (CD Master Take)
  4. Chelsea Bridge (LP Master Take)
  5. Chelsea Bridge (Alternative Take)
  6. Go Home
  7. Go Home (LP Master Take)
  8. Who Got Rhythm? (LP Master Take)
  9. For Bessie (CD Master Take)
  10. Go Home
  11. Go Home

Tracks:

  1. Fajista (False Start)
  2. Fajista (Alternative Take)
  3. Fajista (Discussion And Rehearsal)
  4. Fajista (CD Master Take)
  5. Tell Me When (Alternative Take)
  6. Tell Me When (LP Master Take)
  7. Blues In B-Flat
  8. Blues In B-Flat (Alternative Take)
  9. Blues In B-Flat (CD Master Take)
  10. The Cat Walk
  11. The Cat Walk (Alternative Take)
  12. The Cat Walk
  13. The Cat Walk (LP Master Take)
  14. Sunday (Alternative Take)
  15. 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:

4 out of 5 stars 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.
Complete Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Complete Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster
    Gerry Mulligan
    Manufacturer: Universal/Polygram
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    Cool JazzCool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
    Traditional Vocal PopTraditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
    Broadway & VocalistsBroadway & Vocalists | Imports | Stores | Music
    JazzJazz | Imports | Stores | Music
    PopPop | Imports | Stores | Music
    ASIN: B000007W0Y

    Tracks:

    1. In a Mellow Tone (Baby, You and Me)
    2. In a Mellow Tone
    3. What Is Thing Called Love
    4. Chelsea Bridge [LP Master Take]
    5. Chelsea Bridge
    6. Go Home [Breakdown Rehearsal/False Start]
    7. Go Home [LP Master Take]
    8. Who's Got Rhythm [LP Master Take]
    9. For Bessie [CD Master Take]
    10. Go Home [End of Unedited 3]
    11. Go Home [Unedited Insert]
    12. Fajista [False Start]
    13. Fajista
    14. Fajista [Discussion/Rehearsal]
    15. Fajista [CD Master Take]
    16. Tell Me When
    17. Tell Me When [LP Master Take]
    18. Blues in B Frat [Breakdown/Discussion/False Start]
    19. Blues in B Frat
    20. Blues in B Frat [CD Master Take]
    21. Cat Walk [Rehearsal/Discussion/False Start/Breakdown]
    22. Cat Walk
    23. Cat Walk [Warm Up/Breakdown]
    24. Cat Walk [LP Master Take]
    25. Sunday [False Start. Alternative Take]
    26. 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).

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