Sunday, July 29, 2012

The Jazz Thing, Round One: The Gerry Mulligan Quartet v. Joe Henderson


The Jazz Thing, Round 1 (40 Word/Album Limit)


#24 The Gerry Mulligan Quartet – "The Original Quartet with Chet Baker."  (1953)  v.  #81 Joe Henderson – "Page One." (1963).


Sharp, energetic, and sophisticated, this music is nevertheless winning for its relentless determination to entertain. Sax, trumpet, and rhythm section – no piano, which may contribute to the crisp sound. Or maybe I’m just naturally drawn to “the West Coast Sound.”



And:




Intelligent, lean, and introspective sax-based small-ensemble jazz. I like it, and assumed it would be a winner when I first heard it. But that was before I heard the Gerry Mulligan Quartet. Well, it’s a tournament of tough choices.



The Original Quartet with Chet Baker defeats Page One



3 comments:

margaret said...

I understand you're just critiquing the music, but hey that Henderson album cover! I'm swooning.

Michael5000 said...

I know, right? I didn't think there was going to be any music that could beat music packaged under that cover, if you follow me.

margaret said...

Yo, I follow! That cover is perfection: the photo, the type, the palette ... I really miss the large(r) display of the long players.