Modern Jazz Quartet, The - At Music Inn, Vol.1 '1956 [2013]

Tracks list

The first of two albums the Modern Jazz Quartet recorded at the Music Inn in
Lenox, MS, this LP is highlighted by Oh Bess, Oh Wheres My Bess, Two Degrees
East, Three Degrees West, A Morning in Paris, and Englands Carol which is the
MJQs reworking of God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen. Clarinetist Jimmy Giuffre sits
in with the group successfully on three numbers; best is Fun. This is a
worthwhile outing that has not yet been reissued on CD.
So pleased to see no dissenters among the MJQ fans/reviewers here. This is
definitely the better of the two at Music Inn albums. I was present at the
performances of Tunisia and Bags Groove from Vol. 2. It was exciting at the
time, of course, but doesnt hold up so well. For me, Rollins hit his peak with
Saxophone Collossus and has been trying much too hard ever since. Jackson, a
genuine natural genius, benefitted from Lewis imposed structures and control. He
could do almost anything better than anyone else except Parker, but was at his
best when put on the spot by Lewis as he is here. Giuffre fits in beautifully on
his three tracks and contributes his intriguing composition, Fun, with its
changing moods and challenges for the expanded group. Two Degrees East/Three
Degrees West is one of Lewis lasting classic pieces. Bess, You is My Bess is
among the loveliest pieces the Quartet ever played; Jacksons brief solo on it is
just stunning. The MJQ version is as good in its way as the Miles Davis/Gill
Evans version, which is the standard by which all the hundreds of others are
measured.


Tracks:

01. Oh Bess, Oh Wheres My Bess
02. A Fugue For Music Inn
03. Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West
04. Serenade
05. Fun
06. Sun Dance
07. The Man That Got Away
08. A Morning In Paris
09. Englands Carol #1
10. Sun Dance (alternate take)

Personnel:

John Lewis - piano
Milt Jackson - vibes
Percy Heath - bass
Connie Kay - drums
Jimmy Giuffre - clarinet

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