The Modern Jazz Quartet - European Concert Volume Two (1961) [2013 Japan 24-bit Remaster]

A double-length live set from the legendary Modern Jazz Quartet -- recorded in Scandinavia in 1960, almost as a summation of the group's growing genius in the 50s! The tunes are a mix of John Lewis and Milt Jackson originals, plus other songs all given the wonderful MJQ twist -- distilled into a sublime blend of piano, vibes, bass, and drums -- all delivered with a sense of class, but never too much polish. The album is live, but still has that sophisticated composure that made the group so unique at the time -- and the whole thing's a perfect complement to their famous studio albums on Atlantic! Titles include "Pyramid", "It Don't Mean A Thing", "The Cylinder", "Round Midnight", "Bag's Groove", and "Skating In Central Park".

Tracks:

in Stockholm, Sweden, April 11, 1960
1. Pyramid [Blues For Junior] (R. Brown) - 8:34
in Stockholm, Sweden, April 13, 1960
2. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) (D. Ellington, I. Mills) - 5:29
Goteborg, Sweden, April 12, 1960
3. Skating In Central Park (J. Lewis, J. Spence) - 6:01
in Stockholm, Sweden, April 11, 1960
4. The Cylinder (M. Jackson) - 6:15
in Stockholm, Sweden, April 13, 1960
5. 'Round Midnight (B. Hanighen, C. Williams, T. Monk) - 3:40
in Stockholm, Sweden, April 11, 1960
6. Bags' Groove (M. Jackson) - 4:59
7. I'll Remember April (D. Raye, G. De Paul, P. Johnson) - 4:43

Personnel:

Bass – Percy Heath
Drums – Connie Kay
Piano – John Lewis
Supervised By – Nesuhi Ertegun
Vibraharp – Milt Jackson