Gerry Mulligan & Chet Baker

The pianoless Gerry Mulligan Quartet, which launched the careers of Mulligan, Chet Baker and Chico Hamilton, lasted only one year (June of '52-'53). These two remastered CDs cover all 42 tracks that the quartet recorded for Pacific Jazz in that one year in which the band invented itself, evolved, hit the big time and then disappeared. Recorded live at the Haig and in various studios, this music is essential modern jazz. Gerry Mulligan's off-the-bandstand relationship with Chet Baker could never be considered amiable, but once the two West Coast bad boys picked up the horns, everything was sweetness and light, though often underscored by a subtle and sweet tension. That's never been more apparent than on The Original Quartet with Chet Baker, a limited- edition, two-CD set (42 tracks!) that compiles the group's entire Pacific Jazz output (with the exception of their collaborations with Lee Konitz, available on Konitz Meets Mulligan. As the band that defined the swinging and sophisto West Coast sound, these Mulligan/Baker sides are laid-back but also sly and cerebral. While the rhythm section (bassists include Red Mitchell, Joe Mondragon, Bob Whitlock, and Carson Smith; drums were brushed by Chico Hamilton and Larry Bunker) lays back and affords the horns plenty of room, Baker and Mulligan circle each other like boxers one moment, lovers the next. It's a dance you don't want to miss.

S. Duda

Source : http://www.tower.com/original-quartet-with-chet-baker-gerry-mulligan-cd/wapi/105775449

Gerry Mulligan & Chet Baker

The Original Quartet with Chet Baker

Tracks
 
Cd. 1

1 Get Happy (Arlen, Koehler) 2:33
2 'S Wonderful (Gershwin) 3:35
3 Godchild (Wallington) 2:52
4 Dinah (Akst, Lewis, Young) 2:58
5 She Didn't Say Yes, She Didn't Say No (Kern, Harbach) 2:35
6 Bernie's Tune (Miller) 2:53
7 Lullaby of the Leaves (Young, Petkere) 3:15
8 Utter Chaos #1 (PD) :36
9 Aren't You Glad You're You (Burke, VanHeusen) 2:52
10 Frenesi (Dominguez) 3:10
11 Nights at the Turnstable (Mulligan) 2:54
12 Freeway (Baker) 2:46
13 Soft Shoe (Mulligan) 2:40
14 Walkin' Shoes (Mulligan) 3:13
15 Aren't You Glad You're You (Burke, VanHeusen) 3:39
16 Get Happy (Arlen, Koehler) 5:52
17 Poinciana (Song of the Trees) (Simon, Bernier, Lliso) 3:52
18 Godchild (Wallington) 3:58
19 Makin' Whoopee (Kahn, Donaldson) 3:28
20 Cherry (Gillespie, Daniels) 2:57
21 Motel (Mulligan) 2:37
22 Carson City Stage (Smith) 2:29

*

Cd. 2

1 My Old Flame (Coslow, Johnston) 3:13
2 Love Me or Leave Me [Alternate Take] (Kahn, Donaldson) 2:49
3 Love Me or Leave Me (Kahn, Donaldson) 2:44
4 Swinghouse [10 Lp Take] (Mulligan) 2:56
5 Swinghouse [12 Lp Take] (Mulligan) 2:57
6 Jeru (Mulligan) 2:30
7 Utter Chaos #2 (PD) :32
8 Darn That Dream (DeLange, VanHeusen) 3:50
9 Darn That Dream [Alternate Take] (DeLange, VanHeusen) 3:23
10 I May Be Wrong [12 Lp Take] (DeLange, VanHeusen) 3:00
11 I May Be Wrong [10 Lp Take] (DeLange, VanHeusen) 2:52
12 I'm Beginning to See the Light [10 Lp Take] (Ellington, James, Hodges) 3:37
13 I'm Beginning to See the Light [12 Lp Take] (Ellington, James, Hodges) 3:09
14 The Nearness of You (Carmichael, Washington) 2:53
15 Tea for Two (Youman,s Caesar) 2:49
16 Five Brothers (Mulligan) 3:00
17 I Can't Get Started (Gerswin, Duke) 4:03
18 Ide's Side (Mulligan) 4:24
19 Funhouse (Mulligan) 3:30
20 My Funny Valentine (Rodgers, hart) 5:11

Personnel

Feat. Gerry Mulligan, Red Mitchell, Chico Hamilton, Chet Baker, Jimmy Rowles, Bob Whitlock, Carson Smith, Larry Bunker, etc...

Recorded in Los Angeles ; between June 10, 1952 & May 20, 1953