Two of a Mind

by Paul Desmond, Gerry Mulligan

Overview

Altoist Paul Desmond and baritonist Gerry Mulligan always made for a perfect team during their infrequent collaborations. Both of the saxophonists had immediately distinctive light tones, strong wits, and the ability to improvise melodically. Here the two masterful reed players are featured in pianoless quartets that also include Wendell Marshall, Joe Benjamin or John Beal on bass, and Connie Kay or Mel Lewis on drums. The songs all utilize common chord changes, including the two "originals" ("Two of a Mind" and "Blight of the Fumble Bee"), and the interplay between Desmond and Mulligan is consistently delightful. Highly recommended. [Some reissues add five bonus tracks: two alternate takes of album tracks, a laid-back take of "Easy Living" that shows off Mulligan's way with a ballad, and two takes of "Untitled Blues Waltz" that feature Jim Hall on guitar and a very squeaky drum pedal.] ~ Scott Yanow

Product Details

Release Date:	05/14/2013
Label:	Essential Jazz Classics
UPC:	8436542013482
Rank:	77673

Tracks

1. All the Things You Are
2. Stardust
3. Two of a Mind
4. Blight of the Fumble Bee (Aka Whistling Blues)
5. The Way You Look Tonight
6. Out of Nowhere
7. Easy Living
8. All the Things You Are [Alternate Take]
9. Out of Nowhere [Alternate Take]
10. Untitled Blues Waltz [Long Take]
11. Untitled Blues Waltz [Short Take]
12. All the Things You Are [1953 Version]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Paul Desmond   Primary Artist,Sax (Alto),Sax (Tenor)
Gerry Mulligan   Primary Artist,Sax (Baritone)
Connie Kay   Guest Artist,Drums
Mel Lewis   Guest Artist,Drums
Joe Benhamin   Bass
John Beal   Bass
Wendell Marshall   Bass
Joe Benjamin   Bass

Technical Credits

Oscar Hammerstein II   Composer
Johnny Green   Composer
Leo Robin   Composer
Ray Hall   Engineer
Orrin Keepnews   Reissue Producer
Ria Lewerke   Design,Art Direction
Chuck Stewart   Photography
Will Thornbury   Liner Notes
J.J. Stelmach   Art Direction
Julie Tsuchiya   Artwork
Pietro Alfieri   Design,Art Direction
Scott Johnson   Art Direction
Steve Backer   Executive Producer
Jerome Kern   Composer
Vincent Caro   Digital Mastering,Digital Remastering,Engineer,Remastering
John W. Green   Composer
Ralph Rainger   Composer
Mickey Crofford   Engineer
Gerry Mulligan   Composer
Mitchell Parish   Composer
John Snyder   Reissue Producer
Hoagy Carmichael   Composer
Tony May   Audio Restoration,Digital Transfers
Edward Heyman   Composer
Dorothy Fields   Composer
Steve Gates   Series Producer
Bob Prince   Producer,Production Concept
Paul Desmond   Composer,Performer
Bob Simpson   Engineer
Ed Michel   Reissue Producer