Two Times Four Plus Six

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  1. Motel
  2. Birth Of The Blues notes
  3. Five Brothers
  4. I'm Beginning To See The Light
  5. Open Country
  6. Come Out Wherever You Are
  7. Laura
  8. Bike Up The Strand notes
  9. Apple Core notes
  10. Moonlight In Vermont
  11. Nights At The Turntable - Presenting The Sextet
  12. Broadway
  13. Red Door - The Vibes Are On
  14. Soft Shoe - The Vibes Are On
  15. Makin' Whoopee - The Vibes Are On
  16. Bernie's Tune - The Vibes Are On notes
1 - 5: Dave Bailey, Joe Benjamin, Bob Brookmeyer, Gerry Mulligan

April 13, 1957

6 - 8: Dave Bailey, Bob Brookmeyer, Bill Crow, Gerry Mulligan

October 14, 1956

9 - 12: Dave Bailey, Bob Brookmeyer, Jon Eardley, Peck Morrison, Gerry Mulligan, Zoot Sims

October, 1955

13 - 16: Dave Bailey, Bob Brookmeyer, Jon Eardley, Peck Morrison, Gerry Mulligan, Zoot Sims

December, 1955

 LINER NOTES

The well recorded broadcast material which comprises this laudable release comes from a period when baritonist Gerry Mulligan was enhancing his instrumental performance reputation via his numerous quartets and sextets.

His reputation within the musical fraternity as an arranger was one of respect via his work for Gene Krupa, Claude Thornhill, the Miles Davis 'Birth of the Cool' Band and the Kenton Orchestra. Mulligan's writing and arranging capabilities are amply in evidence throughout these titles. Humour, subtlety, lightness of touch and of course, swing are inherent in these performances. Mulligan's playing was harmonically advanced for the day but his phrasing, rhythmically and melodically, is rooted in the swing era; very much in the manner of his longtime musical cohorts tenorist Zoot Sims and valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer. The majority of Mulligan's and Brookmeyer's most durable compositions come from this era: "Nights At The Turntable', "Line For Lyons 'Open Country", "Apple Core', "Bemie's Tune" and "Soft Shoe". Many of these titles are featured here.

Standards and originals are delivered in a light, airy and optimistic manner complete with some tongue in cheek period banter with the announcer!

Collectors will be familiar with much of the work of both groups through their many studio and live recordings for Dick Bock's Pacific Jazz label, the splendid two volume 'California Concerts" with Eardley, Sims and Brookmeyer, "At Storyville" with the Mulligan/Brookmeyer Quartet and the famous "Paris Concert" date. The Sextet with Eardley, Sims and Brookmeyer also recorded a memorable studio date for American Emarcy entitled 'Mainstream". However, the broadcast material encountered on this disc is a first - and an occasion to savour for both the longtime afficionado and the enthusiastic newcomer. There's ample solo space for all the highly individualistic horn players, given just the right impetus by the unobtrusive, tasty swinging contributions of drummer Dave Bailey.

These were among the baritonist's first organised groups without a chord instrument (i.e. piano or guitar) and nearly 40 years on still maintain their freshness (and charm too).

Mulligan was never contented to rest on his musical laurels of the 50's. His Concert Jazz Band of 1960 to 1963 established a unique voice in big band arranging and he added soprano and clarinet to his performing talents. He worked with Dave Brubeck between 1968 & 1972, and recorded some memorable encounters with Paul Desmond, Johnny Hodges, Ben Webster, Stan Getz and Thelonious Monk on Verve and Riverside. But here we have a young Gerry Mulligan, full of enthusiasm and original musical thoughts, with the desire to achieve and realise a rich potential.

And, as time has proven, he most certainly did. Enjoy!

DOUG CAMPBELL
JAZZ CRITIC NORTH EAST PRESS September 1995.