Gerry Mulligan/Paul Desmond Quartet - Gerry Mulligan & Paul Desmond Quartet

Advantages: Great introduction to Jazz
Disadvantages: None

...I think I first heard this CD when I borrowed it from my local library. The only tune I'd heard was Take 5 (actually a Paul Desmond composition) Listening to the CD was something of a revelation for me. It was as though I had finally discovered the kind of jazz music I'd been looking for for ages. Not overly technical in a "look how good I am with my 10 minute self congratulatory solo" kind of way, which I tire of very quickly. Brubeck & Co are very tuneful and very understated in their approach, yet remain very technically good. I like clever jazz and clever melodies, and that's what this is. This cd has a nice little collection of songs from various albums, including a few from their album 'Time Out' which uses untypical time signatures like 3/4 and 5/8 (take 5) and 7/8 etc. It also has the wonderful track called "I'm in a dancing... Read review

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Advantages: SImply Brilliant music
Disadvantages: Slightly too short

...of music with distinct layers, another pure piece of jazz relaxation! Overall this is a real must for any fan of music. I highly recommend it to anyone who has never listened to jazz before as it is a very good place to start. There are no seriously complicated melodies, no jarring notes; all very understandable music. I bought this from HMV for £6.99, and it was worth every penny. The Dave Brubeck Quartet Dave Brubeck- Piano Paul Desmond- Alto Sax Eugine Wright- Bass Joe Morello- Drums... Read review

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Advantages: Polished FM rock
Disadvantages: far too long - 15 tracks!

...and mechanical ballads) turning up in the studio to help out the boys. Hmmmm. This is a real hit-and-miss affair all in all. Rise To It, the opener, sees Kiss not so much Rise To It, as merely tune their guitars for the next two tracks, Betrayed and Hide Your Heart. The latter two stompers are a bit more like it, although "Heart" has a na-na-na-na chorus and yes, Desmond Child, come on down!! The band take a step backwards with Prisoner Of Love, but the next four tracks are all good, Read My Body, "are the letters big enough?" asks Paul, Love Is A Slap In The Face is a big uptempo number, Forever (warning - MICHAEL BOLTON COWRITES!!!) actually this is a gorgeous ballad and a US top 10 single to boot - Silver Spoon completes an impressive quartet of songs. The quality control people were obviously out to lunch when the band record... Read review

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