The 1989 Gerry Mulligan Quartet (with pianist Bill Charlap, bassist Dean Johnson and drummer Richie De Rosa) is well featured on this enjoyable set, performing "Splendor in the Grass" and nine recent Gerry Mulligan compositions including "Lonesome Boulevard," "The Flying Scotsman" and "Good Neighbor Thelonious." Baritonist Mulligan deserves great credit for the consistency of his recordings during the previous 40 years. This CD is easily recommended for the leader remained very much in his prime. - by Scott Yanow, AMG
Originally released on A&M in 1990, 6 years before his passing, this album shows Mulligan still playing well as he enters his twilight years. The LP starts out with a trip to Brazil with the samba-favored opener. Other upbeat tunes include "Ring Around a Bright Star" & "The Flying Scotsman." The rest of the tracks are either mid tempo like "Good Neighbor Thelonious" (obviously named after jazz pianist/composer Monk), or the laid back easy-listening jazz that he's been known for since his cool jazz days of the 1950s like the title track, "Splendor in the Grass" (the only tune in the LP not written by Mulligan), "Wallflower" (which sounds like it could have been written by either Ellington, Strayhorn or both) or the closer which has a Baroque feel to it.
Also of note is the fact that Mulligan has a pianist here. While he rarely has one in his bands, he uses one regularly in his later years. The pianist here, Bill Charlap does a great job being behind Mulligan, not grabbing the spotlight too much while at the same time adding great chord changes & providing some good solos. - by dwood78, Amazon.com
Artist: Gerry Mulligan
Album: Lonesome Boulevard
Year: 1989
Label: A&M (1990)
Total playing: 49:15
Tracks:
1. Rico Apollo 3:36
2. I Heard the Shadows Dancing 5:19
3. Lonesome Boulevard 4:19
4. Curtains 8:06
5. Ring Around a Bright Star 4:30
6. Splendor in the Grass 4:48
7. Good Neighbor Thelonious 4:58
8. Wallflower 5:35
9. The flying Scotsman 5:29
10. Etude for Franca 2:30
All compositions - by Gerry Mulligan
Originally released on A&M in 1990, 6 years before his passing, this album shows Mulligan still playing well as he enters his twilight years. The LP starts out with a trip to Brazil with the samba-favored opener. Other upbeat tunes include "Ring Around a Bright Star" & "The Flying Scotsman." The rest of the tracks are either mid tempo like "Good Neighbor Thelonious" (obviously named after jazz pianist/composer Monk), or the laid back easy-listening jazz that he's been known for since his cool jazz days of the 1950s like the title track, "Splendor in the Grass" (the only tune in the LP not written by Mulligan), "Wallflower" (which sounds like it could have been written by either Ellington, Strayhorn or both) or the closer which has a Baroque feel to it.
Also of note is the fact that Mulligan has a pianist here. While he rarely has one in his bands, he uses one regularly in his later years. The pianist here, Bill Charlap does a great job being behind Mulligan, not grabbing the spotlight too much while at the same time adding great chord changes & providing some good solos. - by dwood78, Amazon.com
Artist: Gerry Mulligan
Album: Lonesome Boulevard
Year: 1989
Label: A&M (1990)
Total playing: 49:15
Tracks:
1. Rico Apollo 3:36
2. I Heard the Shadows Dancing 5:19
3. Lonesome Boulevard 4:19
4. Curtains 8:06
5. Ring Around a Bright Star 4:30
6. Splendor in the Grass 4:48
7. Good Neighbor Thelonious 4:58
8. Wallflower 5:35
9. The flying Scotsman 5:29
10. Etude for Franca 2:30
All compositions - by Gerry Mulligan
Personnel:
Gerry Mulligan (Baritone Saxophone)
Bill Charlap (Piano)
Dean Johnson (Double Bass)
Richie De Rosa (Drums)
Gerry Mulligan (Baritone Saxophone)
Bill Charlap (Piano)
Dean Johnson (Double Bass)
Richie De Rosa (Drums)