Re-Birth of the Cool

by Gerry Mulligan

Overview

In the summer of 1991 Gerry Mulligan decided to revisit Miles Davis's Birth of the Cool recordings. He discussed it with Miles Davis himself who said he might be interested in participating but sadly Davis died a few months later. With Wallace Roney (the perfect sound-alike) in the trumpeter's place, baritonist Mulligan got the band's original pianist and tuba player (John Lewis and Bill Barber), used his own bassist (Dean Johnson) and drummer (Ron Vincent), and found able substitutes in altoist Phil Woods (unfortunately Lee Konitz was unavailable to play his old parts), trombonist Dave Bargeron and John Clark on French horn. This GRP CD brings back the dozen Birth of the Cool recordings of 1949-50 with Mel Torme taking Pancho Hagood's vocal on "Darn That Dream." Although the charts are the same (and it is a particular pleasure to listen to them with the improved recording quality), the solos are all different and in many cases have been lengthened; no need to stick to only three minutes apiece. This fascinating disc is most highly recommended to veteran jazz collectors who know the original Birth of the Cool records. ~ Scott Yanow

Product Details

Release Date:	06/09/1992
Label:	Grp
UPC:	0011105967921
Rank:	153086

Tracks

1. Israel
2. Deception
3. Move
4. Rouge
5. Rocker
6. Godchild
7. Moon Dreams
8. Venus de Milo
9. Budo
10. Boplicity
11. Darn That Dream
12. Jeru

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Gerry Mulligan   Primary Artist,Sax (Alto),Sax (Baritone)
John Lewis   Guest Artist,Piano
Wallace Roney   Guest Artist,Trumpet
Phil Woods   Guest Artist,Sax (Alto)
Mel Torme   Guest Artist,Vocals
Dean Johnson   Bass
Dave Bargeron   Trombone
John Clark   French Horn
Billy Barber   Tuba
Ron Vincent   Drums
Andy Baltimore   Director

Technical Credits

Emili Bogin   Assistant Engineer,Design
Michael Bloom   Liner Notes
Jimmy Davis   Composer
Adam ?   Post Production
Joseph Doughney   Producer,Post Production
Adam   Producer
David Gibb   Design
Dan Serrano   Design
Scott Johnson   Design,Cover Design,Art Direction
Eddie DeLange   Composer
Larry Rosen   Producer,Executive Producer
Joe Lopes   Engineer
Joe Lopez   Engineer
Johnny Carisi   Arranger,Composer
Leonard Feather   Liner Notes
Jay Newland   Engineer
Johnny Mercer   Composer
Denzil Best   Composer
James Van Heusen   Composer
Miles Davis   Composer
John Lewis   Arranger,Composer
Gerry Mulligan   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Gil Evans   Arranger
Bud Powell   Composer
George Wallington   Composer
Dave Grusin   Producer,Executive Producer
John Snyder   Producer
Chummy MacGregor   Composer
Cleo Henry   Composer
Michael Landy   Producer
Michael Pollard   Producer,Production Coordination
Doreen Kalcich   Producer,Assistant Producer,Production Coordination
Sonny Mediana   Design
Andy Baltimore   Photography
Andy Ruggirello   Design