Paul Desmond - Desmond Blue
Label: Bluebird (2002)
Total time: 66:13
Bitrate: 320 kbps

Paul Desmond's sessions away from the Dave Brubeck Quartet were always something special, and this greatly expanded reissue edition of Desmond Blue is no exception. By far the most interesting album that the alto saxophonist ever did with an orchestra, no doubt due to the choice of first-rate standards ( such as "My Funny Valentine," "Body and Soul," "Ill Wind," and "Like Someone in Love" ) as well as conductor Bob Prince's thoughtful and never burdensome arrangements, the dependably melodious and inventive Desmond works magic in each of the seven standards and two originals heard here. This CD adds the three unreleased tracks featured in the complete box set of Desmond's RCA recordings, but also includes four more alternate takes that appear for the first time. Accompanied by the equally lyrical guitarist Jim Hall and a rhythm section that alternates between bassists Milt Hinton, George Duvivier, and Gene Cherico and drummers Connie Kay, Bobby Thomas, and Osie Johnson, this is an ideal CD to introduce newcomers to jazz without overwhelming them. Doug Ramsey's new liner notes add a very personal touch to this reissue, which should be considered an essential acquisition. ~ Ken Dryden, AMG

Personnel:
Paul Desmond (Alto Saxophone) 
Gloria Agostini (Harp) - 2,3,5-16 
Milt Hinton (Double Bass) - 2,3,5-16 
Romeo Penque (Woodwinds) - 2,3,5-16 
Jim Hall (Guitar) - 1,4-7 
Albert Richman (French Horn) - 1-3,8,9 
Phil Bodner (Woodwinds) - 5-7,10-16 
Alan Shulman (Cello) - 1-3,5-9 
Harvey Shapiro (Cello) - 1,10-16 
Charle McCracken (Cello) - 5-7,10-16
Seymour Barab (Cello) - 2,3,8-16 
Bobby Thomas (Drums) - 2,3,5-9 
Stan Webb (Woodwinds) - 2,3,8,9 
Tony Miranda (French Horn) - 10-16 
Connie Kay (Drums) - 1,4
George Marge (Woodwinds) - 1 
Robert Doty (Woodwinds) - 1 
Eugene Bianco (Harp) - 1 
Gene Cherico (Double Bass) - 1 
George Duvivier (Double Bass) - 4 
and strings

Paul Desmond - Desmond Blue Tracks:
01. My Funny Valentine (Lorenz Hart/Richard Rodgers) 3:52 
02. Desmond Blue (Paul Desmond) 2:01 
03. Then I'll Be Tired of You (E.Y. "Yip" Harburg/Arthur Schwartz) 5:09 
04. I've Got You Under My Skin (Cole Porter) 3:52 
05. Late Lament (Paul Desmond) 5:50 
06. I Should Care (Sammy Cahn/Axel Stordahl/Paul Weston) 2:17 
07. Like Someone in Love (Johnny Burke/Jimmy Van Heusen) 4:04 
08. Ill Wind (Harold Arlen/Ted Koehler) 5:44 
09. Body And Soul (Frank Eyton/Johnny Green/Edward Heyman/Robert Sour) 5:02 

Bonus tracks
10. Autumn Leaves (Joseph Kosma/Johnny Mercer/Jacques Prévert) 3:51 
11. Imagination (Johnny Burke/Jimmy Van Heusen) 4:12 
12. Advise and Consent (Jerry Fielding) 3:52 
13. Autumn Leaves (Joseph Kosma/Johnny Mercer/Jacques Prévert) 4:08 *
14. Autumn Leaves (Joseph Kosma/Johnny Mercer/Jacques Prévert) 4:33 *
15. Imagination (Johnny Burke/Jimmy Van Heusen) 4:06 *
16. Advise and Consent (Jerry Fielding) 3:40 *
*Previously Unreleased