The Modern Jazz Quartet - At Music Inn, Vol.1 (1956) [2013 Japan 24-bit Remaster] CD-Rip

The first of two albums the Modern Jazz Quartet recorded at the Music Inn in Lenox, MS, this LP is highlighted by "Oh Bess, Oh Where's My Bess," "Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West," "A Morning in Paris," and "England's Carol" which is the MJQ's reworking of "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen." Clarinetist Jimmy Giuffre sits in with the group successfully on three numbers; best is "Fun." This is a worthwhile outing that has not yet been reissued on CD.
So pleased to see no dissenters among the MJQ fans/reviewers here. This is definitely the better of the two 'at Music Inn' albums. I was present at the performances of "Tunisia" and "Bag's Groove" from Vol. 2. It was exciting at the time, of course, but doesn't hold up so well. For me, Rollins hit his peak with "Saxophone Collossus" and has been trying much too hard ever since. Jackson, a genuine natural genius, benefitted from Lewis' imposed structures and control. He could do almost anything better than anyone else except Parker, but was at his best when put on the spot by Lewis as he is here. Giuffre fits in beautifully on his three tracks and contributes his intriguing composition, "Fun", with its changing moods and challenges for the expanded group. "Two Degrees East/Three Degrees West" is one of Lewis' lasting classic pieces. "Bess, You is My Bess" is among the loveliest pieces the Quartet ever played; Jackson's brief solo on it is just stunning. The MJQ version is as good in its way as the Miles Davis/Gill Evans version, which is the standard by which all the hundreds of others are measured.


Tracks:

01. Oh Bess, Oh Where's My Bess
02. A Fugue For Music Inn
03. Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West
04. Serenade
05. Fun
06. Sun Dance
07. The Man That Got Away
08. A Morning In Paris
09. England's Carol #1
10. Sun Dance (alternate take)

Personnel:

John Lewis - piano
Milt Jackson - vibes
Percy Heath - bass
Connie Kay - drums
Jimmy Giuffre - clarinet