Two of a Mind

by Scott YanowAltoist Paul Desmond and baritonist Gerry Mulligan always made for a perfect team during their infrequent collaborations. Both of the saxophonists had immediately distinctive light tones, strong wits, and the ability to improvise melodically. For this RCA CD (a series that reissued some of the earlier Bluebirds under the RCA banner), the two masterful reed players are featured in pianoless quartets that also include Wendell Marshall, Joe Benjamin or John Beal on bass, and Connie Kay or Mel Lewis on drums. The songs all utilize common chord changes, including the two "originals" ("Two of a Kind" and "Blight of the Fumble Bee"), and the interplay between Desmond and Mulligan is consistently delightful. Highly recommended. [The 2003 Bluebird reissue boasts crisp remastered sound, extensive liner notes, and five bonus tracks: alternate takes of two album tracks, "All the Things You Are" and "The Way You Look Tonight," a laid-back take of "Easy Living" that shows off Mulligan's way with a ballad, and two takes of "Untitled Blues Waltz" that feature Jim Hall on guitar and a very squeaky drum pedal. They play the first version straight, but on take two Mulligan shifts over to piano and Desmond tries his hand at baritone, sounding pretty good until the band suddenly stops at scarcely more than a minute and a half into the track. A nice little rarity. The bonus tracks are a strong addition to a great collaborative effort.]