Gerry Mulligan was certainly busy in December 1957. During a two-week period, the baritonist recorded a reunion album with trumpeter Chet Baker, documented a set of his songs with an octet that featured five top saxophonists, recorded a very obscure set with a sextet that included four strings, and cut most of an album in which his quartet teamed up with singer Annie Ross. This limited-edition three-CD set contains all of the music plus alternate takes and the last part of the Ross album, which was recorded nine months later with trumpeter Art Farmer in Baker's spot. The reunion with Baker, one of only two times when Mulligan and the trumpeter got back together (the other was a 1970s concert), has some of the old magic of the famous 1951-1952 pianoless quartet. Surprisingly, Baker sounds reluctant to play behind Mulligan's solos, but the baritonist happily harmonizes behind the trumpeter. The saxophone date features Mulligan's songs arranged by Bill Holman and featuring Allen Eager (in his last high-quality date), Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, and Lee Konitz in excellent form. It is surprising that the Mulligan with strings set did not come out for decades, for the nine songs (which have Mulligan joined by violin, cello, guitar, bass, and drums) are given spirited and swinging treatments. Annie Ross Sings a Song of Mulligan was one of the singer's finest albums away from Lambert, Hendricks & Ross and she mixes in perfectly with the two versions of Mulligan's quartet. Collectors who do not already own most of this music are well advised to acquire this perfectly conceived reissue, a month in the life of the great Gerry Mulligan.
- Gerry Mulligan - baritone saxophone
- Lee Konitz - alto saxophone
- Zoot Sims - alto and tenor saxophone
- Al Cohn - tenor and baritone saxophone
- Allan Eager - alto and tenor saxophone
- Chet Baker - trumpet
- Art Farmer - trumpet
- Freddie Green - guitar
- Paul Palmieri - guitar
- Dick Wetmore - violin
- Calo Scott - cello
- Henry Grimes - bass
- Vinnie Burke - bass
- Bill Crow - bass
- Dave Bailey - drums
- Annie Ross - vocal
- Bill Holman - arranger
СD1
1. Reunion
2. When Your Lover Has Gone
3. Star Dust
4. My Heart Belongs To Daddy
5. Jersey Bounce
6. Surrey With The Fringe On Top
7. Ornithology
8. Trav'lin' Light
9. People Will Say We're In Love
10. Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You
11. The Song Is You
12. Festive Minor
13. I Got Rhythm
14. Trav'lin' Light (alternate take)
15. Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You (alternate take)
16. All The Things You Are
CD2
1. Four And One Moore
2. Crazy Day
3. Turnstile
4. Sextet
5. Disc Jockey Jump (full version)
6. Venus De Milo
7. Revelation
8. Crazy Day (mono take)
9. Turnstile (mono take)
10. May-Reh
11. The Preacher
12. Good Bait
13. Bags' Groove
CD3
1. Lullaby In Rhythm
2. Body And Soul
3. Out Of Nowhere
4. I'll Remember April
5. I Can't Get Started
6. I Feel Pretty
7. How About You?
8. I've Grown Accustomed To His Face
9. This Time The Dream's On Me
10. Let There Be Love
11. All Of You
12. Give Me The Simple Life
13. This Is Always
14. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
15. It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing (unedited version)
16. The Lady's In Love With You
17. My Old Flame
18. I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plans
19. You Turned The Tables On Me
20. This Is Always (first version)
21. I've Grown Accustomed To His Face (first version)
